Whether you work in the Australian Defence Force or like the idea of a bank with a member-first mindset, you can’t go past the Defence Bank Foundation Credit Card. This credit card is highly budget-friendly, thanks to its low 3.99% introductory purchase rate (then 8.99%) and reasonable $45 annual fee (half of which is donated to the Defence Bank Foundation). There’s also up to 55 interest-free days and you’ll have your pick of contactless payment options.
One great thing about Defence Bank is that you don’t have to be a member of the Australian Defence Force to get your hands on the Defence Bank Foundation Credit Card. Once you are approved, you’ll receive an introductory purchase rate of 3.99% for 6 months (reverts to 8.99% after). Once the 6 months is up, the card’s interest rate will then revert to 8.99%, which is still one of the lower rates on the market.
This no-frills plastic also features up to 55 interest-free days on purchases, a low $45 annual fee and a cash advance rate of 3.99% for the first 6 months (reverts to 8.99% after) - though it’s still best to avoid using your credit card to withdraw cash. And if you love to pay with your smartphone, you’ll be happy to know that Apple Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit Pay, Garmin Pay and Samsung Pay are available with this card.
Plus, you may also be happy to hear that half of the annual fee is donated to the Defence Bank Foundation and is put towards providing specially-trained assistance dogs to veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
There are still a few things to be aware of though, like the 3% foreign exchange margin that will kick in for international purchases. A $20 late payment fee will apply if you miss a payment and since this plastic is for the frugal of mind, there is no rewards program.
The Defence Bank Foundation Credit Card could be a great pick for Aussie shoppers looking to take advantage of a low purchase rate or spenders in need of a card for everyday spending.
There’s no denying this card can be a great shopping companion, thanks to its introductory purchase rate. But remember, if you use it for some online shopping on an international website, you will be slapped with the aforementioned 3% fee.
8.99% p.a.
3.99% p.a. for 6 months
3.99% p.a. for 6 months and then 8.99% p.a.
no
8.99% p.a.
55
$45.00
none
none
none
$20.00
4.1
3.00%
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$10.00
3.0
none
none
Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, Garmin Pay
50% of the Annual fee ($22.50) is donated to the Defence Bank Foundation.
Defence Bank was originally set up to provide financial products and services to members of the Defence force and their families. Now catering to the defence community and general public, Defence Bank offer services in savings and investment accounts, personal loans, home loans, credit cards, debit cards, term deposits and car insurance.
Westpac
Low Rate
13.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
$59
St.George
Vertigo
13.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.49% p.a.
$55 $0 in the first year
CUA
Low Rate Credit Card
11.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 20 months and then 21.74% p.a.
$49 $0 in the first year
Defence Bank
Foundation Credit Card
3.99% p.a. for 6 months then 8.99% p.a.
3.99% p.a. for 6 months and then 8.99% p.a.
$45
CUA
Platinum Credit Card
19.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 20 months and then 21.74% p.a.
$149 $0 in the first year
CUA Platinum Rewards
American Express
Qantas Discovery Card
20.74% p.a.
No current offer
$0
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Virgin Money
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer
20.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 22 months and then 20.99% p.a.
$129 $64 in the first year
Velocity Frequent Flyer
American Express
Qantas Discovery Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$0
No current offer
0.75 points uncapped
Qantas Money
Qantas Premier Platinum
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$299 $199 in the first year
100,000
1 point up to $10,000/month, then
0.5 points uncapped
Bankwest
Qantas Platinum Mastercard
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$160
30,000
0.75 points up to $2,500/month, then
0.3 points uncapped
St.George
Amplify Platinum
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$99
70,000
0.5 points uncapped
Citi
Rewards - e-voucher Offer
Citi Rewards Program
$199 $99 in the first year
No current offer
1 point up to $10,000/month
Bank of Melbourne
Amplify Platinum
Amplify Rewards
$99 $0 in the first year
No current offer
1 point uncapped
American Express
Velocity Escape Card
Velocity Frequent Flyer
$0
No current offer
0.75 points uncapped
Westpac
Low Rate
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
13.74% p.a.
$59
St.George
Vertigo
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.49% p.a.
13.99% p.a.
$55 $0 in the first year
CUA
Low Rate Credit Card
0% p.a. for 20 months and then 21.74% p.a.
11.99% p.a.
$49 $0 in the first year
ANZ
First
0% p.a. for 18 months and then 20.24% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
20.24% p.a.
$30
Qantas Money
Qantas Premier Platinum
0% p.a. for 18 months and then 21.99% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
19.99% p.a.
$299 $199 in the first year
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Bank of Melbourne
Vertigo
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.49% p.a.
13.99% p.a.
$55 $0 in the first year
Bankwest
Zero Platinum Mastercard
2.99% p.a. for 9 months and then 17.99% p.a.
17.99% p.a.
$0
Bank of Melbourne
Amplify Platinum
0% p.a. for 22 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.50% balance transfer fee)
0% p.a. for 7 months then 19.74% p.a.
$99 $0 in the first year
Amplify Rewards
St.George
Vertigo
13.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.49% p.a.
$55 $0 in the first year
Westpac
Low Rate
13.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
$59
Defence Bank
Foundation Credit Card
3.99% p.a. for 6 months then 8.99% p.a.
3.99% p.a. for 6 months and then 8.99% p.a.
$45
CUA
Low Rate Credit Card
11.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 20 months and then 21.74% p.a.
$49 $0 in the first year
NAB
Low Rate Card
12.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 20 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
$59
Bank of Melbourne
Vertigo Platinum
12.99% p.a.
6.99% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.49% p.a.
$99
ANZ
Low Rate
12.49% p.a.
0% p.a. for 25 months and then 20.24% p.a. (1.50% balance transfer fee)
$58 $0 in the first year
NAB
StraightUp Card
0% p.a.
No current offer
$120 $10/month - waived if no spend & no balance owing
Bankwest
Breeze Mastercard
0% p.a. for 15 months then 10.99% p.a.
2.99% p.a. for 9 months and then 10.99% p.a. (0% balance transfer fee)
$49
BankSA
Amplify Platinum
0% p.a. for 7 months then 19.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 22 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.50% balance transfer fee)
$99 $0 in the first year
Virgin Money
No Annual Fee Card
0% p.a. for 12 months then 18.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 12 months and then 20.99% p.a.
$0
St.George
Vertigo Platinum
0% p.a. for 15 months then 12.99% p.a.
6.99% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.49% p.a.
$99 $49 in the first year
Bank of Melbourne
Amplify Platinum
0% p.a. for 7 months then 19.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 22 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.50% balance transfer fee)
$99 $0 in the first year
Virgin Money
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Purchase Rate Offer
0% p.a. for 14 months then 20.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 6 months and then 20.99% p.a.
$129 $64 in the first year
ANZ
Platinum
0% p.a. for 17 months then 20.24% p.a.
No current offer
$87 $0 when you spend over $20,000 p.a, $0 in the first year
