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Visa Debit Cards

Compare a range of Visa debit cards right here with Savvy today.

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, updated on September 13th, 2023       

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Compare debit cards

If you are looking for a debit card, use our table to compare Australia's best debit card offers with $0 monthly fees, free ATM withdrawals, cashback offers, budgeting apps, security features and much more. Start your debit card search with us now.

site-logos Up Everyday Account
  Monthly Account Fee Features Card Type ATM Fee Interest Rate  
site-logos $0
  • PayId,
  • Osko,
  • Samsung Pay,
  • Apple Pay,
  • Google Wallet,
Mastercard $0 0%
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Use invite code SAVVY10 for $10 upon successful sign-up. (Refer to offer T&Cs on Up website)

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site-logos ING Orange Everyday
  Monthly Account Fee Features Card Type ATM Fee Interest Rate  
site-logos $0
  • PayId,
  • Apple Pay,
  • Google Wallet,
Visa $0 0%
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Rebates on ATM fees anywhere in Oz. No ING international transaction fees. Zero monthly fees.

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site-logos NAB Classic Banking Account
  Monthly Account Fee Features Card Type ATM Fee Interest Rate  
site-logos $0
  • PayId,
  • Samsung Pay,
  • Apple Pay,
  • Google Wallet,
Visa $0 0.01%
Read review

No monthly account fees ever, with no conditions. Free use at over 7,000 ATMs around Australia. No overdrawn fees if you happen to go over your account balance. Open an account in less than 7 minutes.

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site-logos St.George Complete Freedom Account
  Monthly Account Fee Features Card Type ATM Fee Interest Rate  
site-logos $0
  • Samsung Pay,
  • Apple Pay,
  • Google Wallet,
Visa $0 0%
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Get $40 with a new Complete Freedom everyday bank account.

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site-logos Westpac Choice
  Monthly Account Fee Features Card Type ATM Fee Interest Rate  
site-logos $5
  • Samsung Pay,
  • Apple Pay,
  • Google Wallet,
Mastercard $0 $0
Read review

Westpac Choice for easy day-to-day banking

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Disclaimer: Savvy is not advising or recommending any particular product to you. We provide general information on products for the purposes of comparison, but your personal situation or goals are not considered here. Although we try to make our comparisons as thorough as possible, we do not have information on all products on the market on our site.

You should always consult a given offer's PDS or further documentation in the process of deciding on which loan to choose, as well as seeking independent, professional advice. If you decide to apply with one of the lenders listed above via our website, you will not be dealing with Savvy; any applications or enquiries will be conducted directly with the lender offering that product.

Visa debit cards explained

Are you in the market for a new Visa card? Since Visa offers such a wide range of debit and credit cards, it’s often difficult to know where to start when choosing a new card. Savvy can help you find the very best Visa debit card for your personal spending needs. We compare every feature of different cards and bring you up-to-the-minute comparison information to help you make the best choice when you choose a new card.  

What is Visa and what services do they offer?

Visa is the world’s largest fintech organisation. Based in San Francisco, California, it’s estimated there are more than 2.5 billion Visa branded credit and debit cards issued worldwide. Visa also runs the world’s largest retail payment network, operating in more than 200 countries across the globe.

As well as providing a payment network through payWave terminals, Visa offers card solutions for banks, financial institutions and retailers. They do not offer credit direct to the public, but rather operate via payment partners such as banks and large retailers. Many Australian banks offer a Visa debit card automatically when you open a linked everyday transaction account with them.

Visa supplies a wide range of debit cards, credit cards, prepaid cards and gift cards to help people access their money and pay for goods and services through EFTPOS terminals, ATMs, online and in person.  With so many card options available to you, it’s a good idea to compare debit cards here with Savvy before making your final card choice.

What features of Visa debit cards should I compare?

Even though Visa might be one of the names on your debit or credit card, it is not Visa or Mastercard who decides on the card’s features, or what rewards are offered with that particular debit card. The card’s design, colour, logos and features are decided upon by the bank or financial institution issuing the card.  Each bank, financial institution or retailer offers its own custom debit cards to attract new customers, which is why there is such a wide range of Visa debit cards to choose from in Australia.

These are some debit card features to think about before deciding which Visa card may be the right one for you to choose:

Fees

Most debit cards are issued free by the banks and financial institutions when you open a transaction bank account with them. There are usually no account-keeping fees or monthly fees to worry about with a debit card. However, an overdrawn fee can be charged if you accidentally let your card go into the red. These overdrawn fees can be quite substantial, in the range of $30 to $50. Sometimes there’s even an overdrawn daily fee which is charged each day the card remains overdrawn. It certainly pays to keep a debit card firmly in the black! Fees can also be charged for using the debit card overseas, or for withdrawing funds from an overseas ATM.

Rewards, frequent flyer points and cash back offers

Rewards points, frequent flyer points and cash back schemes are offered to customers to encourage spending using their card. Rewards were once only offered with credit cards, but recently more debit cards are being offered with rewards for spending too. These rewards vary from cash back offers, to airline reward points, frequent flyer points, special offers on PayTV and subscriptions, or exclusive offers on concert or movie tickets. It pays to compare the different rewards schemes and find one which gives you the maximum benefit without having to change your natural spending pattern. Try to align the frequent flyer points you earn with your favourite airline, and choose a supermarket offering rewards points that can be converted to points with that same airline too.  

Withdrawal and spending limits

Many Visa cards are linked to bank accounts that have daily cash withdrawal and transaction limits. For example, often there’s a $1,000 a day cash withdrawal limit at ATMs, or there may be an overall $1,000 a day transaction limit. These daily limits can often be increased by request to your bank either through online banking or a mobile app. If it’s not possible to increase your limit, you may have to split up your withdrawals or payments over different days.

Security and purchase protection

Make sure your Visa debit card can be instantly locked via internet banking or a mobile app. If your card is lost or stolen, it is preferable to be able to do this right away without having to call a card fraud hotline. Compare your Visa debit card's additional purchase protection options as well. If a product you buy is stolen or harmed in transit, a Visa card's added protection can provide you a refund. Some protection plans also extend the warranty period provided for a purchased item.

How do I get a Visa debit card?

A debit card will most often be offered free of charge when you open a new transaction bank account. This could be with a bank, a building society, a credit union or a money app such as Wise. Usually when you open a new everyday account, you’ll be offered a linked debit card so you can access the funds in your account to shop and pay bills. Often, you’ll have no choice as to whether your new debit card is a Mastercard or Visa, since most banks are aligned with either one or the other company. 

However, it’s also possible in Australia to buy a Visa prepaid debit card or even a Visa gift card by purchasing one online or at a post office. These prepaid Visa cards and gift cards are not linked to a bank account, but are charged up with funds prior to their use. They can be used online, to make tap and go purchases and to withdraw funds through an ATM

Most gift cards are single use, and you throw them away once the money on them has been spent. However, prepaid Visa debit cards are designed to be used over and over again just like a standard debit card linked to a bank account. There can be monthly fees and recharge fees associated with such prepaid Visa cards, which generally makes them a more expensive option than a standard debit card.

Why compare debit cards with Savvy?

More of your questions about Visa debit cards

How old do I have to be to get a Visa debit card?

All banks and financial institutions have their own minimum age limits, but Visa debit cards can be offered to kids as young as nine years old. Often such young children will need a joint account with a parent, but once a child reaches 12 years old, it’s possible to have their own bank account and linked Visa debit card.

What’s the difference between a Visa card and a Mastercard?

In reality, there is not much difference between a Visa and a Mastercard. These two companies are fierce rivals, and between them, they issue more than 85% of the world’s credit and debit cards. In Australia, banks and financial institutions are usually aligned with either one or the other company depending on their service agreements. 

What’s the difference between a standard Visa debit card and a platinum debit card?

A platinum Visa debit card is one that offers a higher level of benefits and rewards to the user than a standard debit card. However, these additional benefits are offered by the bank or financial institution issuing the card, not by the Visa company itself.

Do Visa gift cards have an expiry date?

Yes – Visa gift cards do come with an expiry date, which is printed on the front of the card. The card will automatically expire on this date, and if any money is left on the gift card at the expiry date it will be forfeited. A gift card will also automatically expire when its balance reaches zero.

Which digital wallets can you add a Visa debit card to?

You will probably be able to add your Visa debit card to most digital wallets. Digital wallets are associated with a type of device such as an Apple iPhone or a Samsung, rather than with a type of Visa or Mastercard. Before choosing a new debit card, check the card is compatible with the digital wallet on your particular smartphone or wearable device.

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