Debit Card

Debit cards are a brilliant introduction in the world of credit provision.

Not everyone likes to use credit cards, as the prospect of getting into more debt than is affordable can just be too much. So being able to access your own cash for online or over the phone purchases is a really great idea.

Not to mention the fact that thanks to credit card monitoring services available with most banks, using it like a credit card for every day purchases means that your money is more secure than if you were just accessing it through a normal bank account.

As with most things, there is also a downside to having a debit card as opposed to a credit card, for example, you’re using your own money for transactions so you don’t have the ability to rely on credit as a financial back up.

Also, if you are unlucky enough to get stung by someone committing credit fraud with your debit card then they will be spending your hard earned cash rather than credit from a bank. But don’t let that scare you off – with a number of banks offering debit cards with a variety of bank accounts, you have the luxury of choice!

We’ve looked at things like card/account fees, benefits and other extras (if applicable) to decide which debit card we thought was the best. Check out our reviews to see which is the best debit card for you.

Editor's Choice - Debit Cards

Choose a debit card so you can spend your own money online with all the security of a credit card.

  • ANZ Access Advantage with Visa Debit

    • The ANZ Access Advantage with Visa Debit is The Credit Card Guide’ stop pick for debit cards available to Australians. Unlike some banks, ANZ allows you to…Read More

  • St George Visa Debit

    • St George Bank offers a Visa debit card available on a number of accounts. These include the Express Freedom, Complete Freedom, Complete Freedom Student and also…Read More

  • Bankwest Debit MasterCard

    • Want a debit card with no fees? Well then you’ve come to the right place. With no fees attached the Bankwest MasterCard debit card, it is one of a select few…Read More

Debit Card Reviews

NAB Classic Banking Visa Debit Card

Category: Debit Card, NAB Credit Card, Student Credit Card

FEATURES SUMMARY

  • $0
    • MasterCard Applause
    • Transaction monitoring
    • No minimum opening balance
    • Australia Post Bank@Post service


NAB has three different debit cards available for their customers, with just one being tailored to the needs of students, and that is the NAB Classic Banking Visa.

There are a number of benefits for a student using the NAB Classic Banking debit card, starting with the monthly fee. For most people this debit card has a monthly fee of $5, but for full time students that are 18 years or older, this fee is waived every month.

So you’ll get unlimited free access to your cash through Eftpos, ATM’s, phone and internet banking and of course branch transactions. You’ll also get the choice of 4 card colours, full access to Visa Entertainment’s exclusive offers and 90 day Purchase Protection insurance.

So if you’ve just bought a new laptop for school using your NAB debit card and it’s lost, stolen or accidentally broken, NAB’s got you covered. You’ll get it replaced or fixed free of charge.

And don’t worry if you’re a bit too strapped for cash to open the account just yet, there’s no minimum opening balance. So you can open your account with as little as $1 and deposit your funds later.

See all our top credit card picks in the Editor’s Choice category

Commonwealth Debit MasterCard

Category: Commonwealth Credit Card, Debit Card, Student Credit Card

FEATURES SUMMARY

    • Smart Access account – Low monthly fee
    • Complete Access account – Low monthly fee
    • MasterCard Applause
    • Fee waive option
    • No minimum opening balance
    • Australia Post Bank@Post service


Commonwealth is one of only a few Australian banks to offer debit cards through the MasterCard facility. The debit card is available in two Commonwealth bank accounts – the Smart Access account and the Complete Access account, and can be used in conjunction with Commonwealth bank’s Student Options.

The Smart Access account fee is per month, which gives you unlimited access to electronic transactions through Commonwealth bank. The Complete access account offers a wee bit more, with unlimited branch withdrawals, teller-assisted cheques and phone banking, plus unlimited electronic Commonwealth electronic transfers for a monthly.

There are a wide variety of ways in which the monthly fee for the Commonwealth Debit MasterCard can be waived, including (but not limited to) being a Commonwealth bank home loan customer, receiving an Australian War Veterans or Aged pension, or if you are a full time student.

No matter which account you choose, you’ll gain automatic access to MasterCard Applause. With this service up your sleeve, live events, concerts, ticket-pre-sales, discounts, and special events are all at your disposal so you’ll never miss out.

With secure chip technology for your protection, and access to Australia’s largest banking network, Commonwealth’s Debit MasterCard is a secure, convenient and straightforward alternative to credit cards.

See our top credit card picks in the Editor’s Choice category

Bankwest Debit MasterCard

Category: Bankwest Credit Card, Debit Card, Editor's Choice Credit Card, Student Credit Card

FEATURES SUMMARY

Bronze
    • Choice of six card colours
    • MasterCard Applause
    • Australia Post Bank@Post service


Bronze - Debit

Want a debit card with no fees? Well then you’ve come to the right place.

With no fees attached the Bankwest MasterCard debit card, it is one of a select few front-runners in the Australian debit card market, and is the 3rd place holder of all the cards vying for the title of Editor’s Choice in the Debit card category..

To get a Bankwest MasterCard you must first open a Bankwest account. Your debit card can be linked to any Bankwest transaction account, so you’ve got the freedom of choice teamed up with the freedom to purchase, without the monthly bill!

This card is perfect for students when teamed up with Bankwest’s Student account. All your electronic banking transactions are free and your account is so easy to manage with 24/7 online banking.

In addition to $0 in fees, another massive draw card for this debit card is that its provider, Bankwest, is now part of Australia’s biggest ATM network. This means that it can be used at a number of Australian bank’s ATM’s free of charge. These banks include Bankwest, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, NAB, Westpac and St George.

Being part of the MasterCard network, all Bankwest debit card holders have access to MasterCard’s applause service which gives exclusive entertainment benefits including one off events created especially for MasterCard debit card holders.

Unfortunately for fans of Bankwest, you can’t apply for this card online so you’ll have to make a trip to the bank to get yourself one.

See all our top credit card picks in the Editor’s Choice category

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Disclaimer - Information found on this website is current and up to date at the time of publishing, with reasonable efforts being made to maintain its accuracy. The Credit Card Guide features a limited selection of the credit cards available in Australia and recommends seeking independent financial advice to suit your circumstances. At times we receive a small commission from some credit card companies if you sign up after clicking the "Apply Online" buttons on this website. The content is provided as general information and should not be taken as professional financial advice.