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.
Bendigo Bank
Low Rate Credit Card
11.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 11.99% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
$45
Bankwest
Breeze Mastercard
0% p.a. for 15 months then 9.90% p.a.
0% p.a. for 15 months and then 9.90% p.a.
$49 $0 in the first year
Westpac
Low Rate
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
Citi
Simplicity Credit Card
0% p.a. for 6 months then 21.49% p.a.
0% p.a. for 6 months and then 22.24% p.a.
$0
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
HSBC
Platinum Credit Card
19.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 36 months and then 21.99% p.a.
$129 $29 in the first year
Rewards Plus
American Express
Cashback Credit Card
Cashback Rewards
$120
No current offer
1 point uncapped
Westpac
Altitude Platinum
Altitude Rewards
$150 $99 in the first year
80,000
1 point uncapped
American Express
Qantas Discovery Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$0
No current offer
0.75 points uncapped
NAB
Qantas Rewards Signature Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$395 $295 in the first year
110,000
1 point up to $5,000/month, then
0.5 points up to $20,000/month
American Express
Velocity Escape Card
Velocity Frequent Flyer
$0
No current offer
0.75 points uncapped
NAB
Qantas Rewards Premium Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$250
30,000
0.66 points up to $3,000/month, then
0.33 points up to $6,000/month
Bendigo Bank
Low Rate Credit Card
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 11.99% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
11.99% p.a.
$45
Westpac
Low Rate
0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
13.74% p.a.
$59 $0 in the first year
HSBC
Platinum Credit Card
0% p.a. for 36 months and then 21.99% p.a.
19.99% p.a.
$129 $29 in the first year
Rewards Plus
Bankwest
Zero Mastercard
0% p.a. for 26 months and then 14.99% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
14.99% p.a.
$0
St.George
Amplify Rewards Platinum
0% p.a. for 15 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
19.74% p.a.
$99
Rewards
Bankwest
Zero Platinum Mastercard
0% p.a. for 26 months and then 14.99% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
14.99% p.a.
$0
NAB
Low Rate Card
0% p.a. for 26 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
12.99% p.a.
$59 $0 in the first year
Bendigo Bank
Low Rate Credit Card
11.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 11.99% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
$45
Citi
Simplicity Credit Card
0% p.a. for 6 months then 21.49% p.a.
0% p.a. for 6 months and then 22.24% p.a.
$0
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
Westpac
Low Rate
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
Citi
Rewards Credit Card
21.49% p.a.
0% p.a. for 30 months and then 22.24% p.a.
$149 $49 in the first year
Bankwest
Breeze Mastercard
0% p.a. for 15 months then 9.90% p.a.
0% p.a. for 15 months and then 9.90% p.a.
$49 $0 in the first year
Citi
Simplicity Credit Card
0% p.a. for 6 months then 21.49% p.a.
0% p.a. for 6 months and then 22.24% p.a.
$0
Bankwest
Breeze Platinum Mastercard
0% p.a. for 15 months then 9.90% p.a.
0% p.a. for 15 months and then 9.90% p.a.
$69 $0 in the first year
St.George
No Annual Fee
0% p.a. for 12 months then 20.74% p.a.
6.99% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.49% p.a.
$0
NAB
StraightUp Card
0% p.a.
No current offer
$120 $10/month - waived if no spend & no balance owing
BankSA
No Annual Fee
0% p.a. for 12 months then 20.74% p.a.
6.99% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.49% p.a.
$0
