Credit card issuers make big profits by not passing RBA rate cuts

By Ceyda Erem ·
Fact Checked
Advertiser disclosure
rba-credit-card

When the RBA announces it will be reducing the official cash rate, many Aussies are left anxiously waiting for their home loan lender to make a move and follow suit. This is not surprising given that mortgages are usually the highest expense for any household.

But what about the rates on our credit cards? 

New Mozo research has found that credit card providers have profited a whopping $6.4 billion by failing to pass on 4.40% in cash rate cuts over the past eight years. 

“The failure to provide rate relief to credit card customers after the RBA cuts the official cash rate has become a bad habit and a multi billion dollar business,” said Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont. 

“At a time when credit card providers are faced with increasing competition from Buy Now, Pay Later services, something as simple as providing interest rate relief could be the difference between retaining customers or not.”

Mozo’s data shows that the average credit card interest rate is also 164 times higher than the cash rate at 16.39%. However, while $20 billion dollars worth of balances are continuing to accrue interest across the country, Aussies have been making the effort to reduce their credit card debt, as balances have fallen by an impressive 46% since 2012.

The credit card market: the lone wolf and the lowest offer

According to the Mozo database, Auswide Bank was the only credit card provider who made a move following the recent RBA rate cut, slicing 15 basis points off its credit card. 

“With just one provider taking the knife to their credit card interest rates, it begs the question - why can’t the rest do the same and pass on the official rate,” says Lamont.

The lowest purchase rate in the Mozo database belongs to Greater Bank and its Greater Visa Credit Card, which currently boasts a purchase rate of a rock bottom 5.95% - however this rate is only available until 1 April 2021.

“If your credit card provider hasn’t cut your interest rates and you're carrying a balance forward it’s worth comparing interest rates and switching to the best rate you can find,” Lamont concluded. 

So, if you’re ready to start comparing some of the current credit card offers on the market, head on over to our credit card comparison tool or get started with some low rate offers below.

Compare low rate credit cards - last updated 18 September 2021

Search promoted credit cards below or do a full Mozo database search. Advertiser disclosure
  • Apply By 31 Oct 2021
    Bendigo Bank Low Rate Credit Card

    0% p.a. on purchases for up to 12 months (Reverts to 11.99% p.a). Also 0% balance transfer for up to 12 months. Low annual fee of $45 and no fees for additional cardholders.

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    0% p.a. for 12 months then 11.99% p.a.
    0% p.a. for 12 months and then 11.99% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
    $45
    Go to site
    Details
  • Great Southern Bank Low Rate Credit Card

    0% balance transfer rate for 20 months and up to 55 interest free days. No annual fee for the first year and $49 after. Mozo Experts Choice Balance Transfer Platinum Credit Card Winner 2020^

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    11.99% p.a.
    0% p.a. for 25 months and then 21.74% p.a.
    $49 $0 in the first year
    Go to site
    Details
  • NAB StraightUp Card

    Pay no interest and no late payment fees, just a $10 monthly fee for a $1,000 credit limit. Plus, if you don't make any purchases and have an outstanding balance of $0 during the whole statement period, the monthly fee will be reversed. Also pay no foreign currency fees when you shop online or overseas. Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Innovation Winner 2020^.

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    0% p.a.
    No current offer
    $120 $10/month - waived if no spend & no balance owing
    Go to site
    Details
  • St.George No Annual Fee

    0% p.a. for 12 months on APR requested at card application. The special promotional purchase rate applies from card approval, after the promotional period, the rate will switch to the variable purchase rate. New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply. Offer ends November 30th 2021.

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    0% p.a. for 12 months then 20.74% p.a.
    2.99% p.a. for 15 months and then 21.49% p.a.
    $0
    Go to site
    Details
  • NAB Low Rate Card

    0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 32 months, plus a low ongoing purchase rate after that means you can spend with confidence. There's also up to 55 interest free days on purchases to help you manage your budget better.

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    12.99% p.a.
    0% p.a. for 32 months and then 21.74% p.a. (0% balance transfer fee)
    $59 $0 in the first year
    Go to site
    Details
  • Featured Product Hot Deal
    Westpac Low Rate - Cashback Offer

    Enjoy a super low rate of 13.74% with 55 days interest free plus $400 Cashback with $4k+ spend on eligible purchases within 4 months of card approval. No annual card fee for the first year, $59 thereafter. New Cards only. Offer ends November 30th 2021. T&C's and exclusions apply.

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    13.74% p.a.
    No current offer
    $59 $0 in the first year
    Go to site
    Details
  • Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    American Express Low Rate Credit Card

    Competitive low rate with $0 Annual Fee. Get $100 back when you apply online by 27 October 2021, are approved and spend $1,000 on your new Card by 31 December 2021. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only. Customers need an annual income of $50,000 or more.

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    8.99% p.a.
    No current offer
    $0
    Go to site
    Details
  • Featured Product
    Westpac Low Rate

    Enjoy a super low rate of 13.74% with 55 days interest free plus 0% balance transfer for up to 28 months at 1% BT fee. No annual card fee for the first year, $59 thereafter. New Cards only. Offer ends November 30th 2021. T&C's and exclusions apply.

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    13.74% p.a.
    0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
    $59 $0 in the first year
    Go to site
    Details
  • Apply By 30 Nov 2021
    St.George Vertigo - Cashback Offer

    $300 cashback when you take out a new Vertigo Credit Card and spend $4k on eligible purchases within 120 days of the new card approval. No annual fee for the first year, $55 thereafter. New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply. Offer ends November 30th 2021.

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    13.99% p.a.
    2.99% p.a. for 15 months and then 21.49% p.a.
    $55 $0 in the first year
    Go to site
    Details
  • Apply By 30 Nov 2021
    Bank of Melbourne Vertigo

    0% p.a. for 30 months on balance transfers requested at card application. 0% balance transfer fee applies. Rate then switches to applicable variable cash advance rate. No annual fee for the first year, $55 thereafter. New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply. Offer ends November 30th 2021.

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    13.99% p.a.
    0% p.a. for 30 months and then 21.49% p.a.
    $55 $0 in the first year
    Go to site
    Details
  • Apply By 30 Nov 2021
    BankSA Vertigo - Cashback Offer

    $300 cashback when you take out a new Vertigo Credit Card and spend $4k on eligible purchases within 120 days of the new card approval. No annual fee for the first year, $55 thereafter. New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply. Offer ends November 30th 2021.

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    13.99% p.a.
    2.99% p.a. for 15 months and then 21.49% p.a.
    $55 $0 in the first year
    Go to site
    Details
  • Apply By 30 Nov 2021
    Bank of Melbourne Vertigo - Cashback Offer

    $300 cashback when you take out a new Vertigo Credit Card and spend $4k on eligible purchases within 120 days of the new card approval. No annual fee for the first year, $55 thereafter. New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply. Offer ends November 30th 2021.

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    13.99% p.a.
    2.99% p.a. for 15 months and then 21.49% p.a.
    $55 $0 in the first year
    Go to site
    Details
  • Apply By 30 Nov 2021
    St.George Vertigo

    0% p.a. for 30 months on balance transfers requested at card application. 0% balance transfer fee applies. Rate then switches to applicable variable cash advance rate. No annual fee for the first year, $55 thereafter. New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply. Offer ends November 30th 2021.

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    13.99% p.a.
    0% p.a. for 30 months and then 21.49% p.a.
    $55 $0 in the first year
    Go to site
    Details
  • Apply By 20 Oct 2021
    David Jones American Express Platinum Card

    Earn 70,000 Membership Reward Points or 35,000 Qantas Points when you apply online by 20 October 2021, are approved and spend $1,500 at locations excluding David Jones on your new Card within the first three months. Available to new David Jones American Express Platinum Card Members only.

    Purchase rate
    Balance transfer rate
    Annual fee
    0% p.a. for 6 months then 20.74% p.a.
    No current offer
    $295
    Go to site
    Details

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Awards

Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.

While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.