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Best Debit Cards

Find and compare the best Australian debit card offers here with Savvy. 

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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%
Go to site

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%
Read review

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%
Read review

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.

More on how to choose the best debit card

Debit cards are such an important part of our everyday lives, so finding the best one for your specific needs is worth taking time over. As such, it’s important to compare debit cards here with Savvy to help you find the perfect card for your everyday needs. Consider a range of offers with us to help you find the best one available in Australia. 

How do I find the best debit card in Australia?

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to finding the best debit card available in Australia. The variety of debit cards available in Australia continues to grow, so the best debit card for your needs won’t necessarily be the best card for your neighbour or your kids. Because we use debit cards so often, it’s important to shop around and make sure you’re getting the best deal to make your dollars stretch further.  

As such, it’s important to compare debit cards with Savvy to help you work out which type of card may be the best one for your particular circumstances. Consider your options here to help you make an informed decision on which offer is best for you.  

How should I compare the best debit cards?

All debit cards work in the same basic way: they allow you to access the money in your linked transaction account to shop, pay bills and buy things online. However, not all cards offer the same value, so when comparing cards with Savvy, think about the following aspects: 

Fees 

Most debit cards are issued free of charge when you open an everyday bank account. They are typically no-fee, which means they come with no annual or ongoing fees. However, check the conditions attached to the transaction account you open to make sure you understand overdrawn fees, transaction fees or currency conversion fees which may be applied if you use your card overseas.  

Rewards 

Look at the rewards, incentives and benefits on offer with the debit card and think about how you’ll use it. Some cards offer cashback if you use your card to pay utility bills, up to a set limit per month. Therefore, if you’re going to be using your card to pay your bills online, this may be the best type of card for you. Other debit cards offer frequent flyer points based on your card spending, so if you’re saving up points for your next overseas trip, this may be your best option. 

Payment options 

Many people now link their debit card to a virtual wallet on their phone or wearable smart device. This offers the convenience of not having to carry your debit card around with you, as you can pay simply by holding the virtual card on your phone to the EFTPOS terminal. However, you’ll need to check what payment options your card offers so you can make sure it is compatible with your phone. Payment options include Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayID, Samsung Pay, FitBit Pay and Garmin Pay. 

Visa or Mastercard? 

Both these companies offer very similar debit and credit cards. You may not be offered a choice about which type of card you receive, as the major banks and financial institutions tend to offer either one or the other, depending on which company they are affiliated with. However, some banks do give you an option to choose, so it could come down to which type of card you are familiar with using. 

Fraud and purchase protection 

Almost all debit cards offer fraud protection in case scammers get hold of your financial information and illegally withdraw funds from your bank account. If your account is hacked, you’re usually protected from financial loss and will be reimbursed by the bank.  

However, some debit cards also come with additional protections which can include: 

  • Extended warranty – this is an offer to double or extend the warranty on a new item you buy with your debit Visa or Mastercard 
  • Price protection – this can include an offer to refund the price difference if you’ve bought an item using your debit card, and then within 30 days find it offered cheaper elsewhere 
  • Purchase protection – this offers protection against theft, damage or loss within a certain time limit on your new purchases.  

Additional security features 

When comparing debit cards, it’s also important to think about the security features that come with the card. For instance, the best debit cards can be quickly locked using online banking or a mobile app as soon as the card is lost or stolen. This can prevent thieves from using your card to make unauthorised purchases. In addition, most debit cards require a PIN to withdraw cash from an ATM and to make tap-and-go purchases over a specified limit, which is usually $200.

What does the best debit card look like for my personal situation?

The best debit card available to you will vary according to your individual needs and personal situation. Some of the potential uses for different types of debit cards include:  

Best debit card for international travel 

The best debit card for international travel is likely to be a travel card, also referred to as a global card. Standard debit cards can incur currency conversion and transaction fees if you use them when travelling overseas. In addition, you may be charged hefty fees for using overseas ATMs which aren’t affiliated with your bank.  

However, travel debit cards allow you to load them up with different currencies and lock in the exchange rate when you do so. When you use that card overseas, you can choose which currency to pay with, so there aren’t any hidden currency conversation fees. In addition, they often offer a set number of free ATM withdrawals anywhere in the world or allow you to withdraw local currency up to set amounts per week or month. 

The downside to travel or global cards is that they come with annual account fees and possibly others, such as recharge or inactivity fees. Carefully consider whether these fees make a travel card your best option. 

Best debit cards for students 

Most banks offer fee-free banking to students. Their no-fee student debit cards often allow free ATM withdrawals when overseas. They can also come linked to travel insurance in addition to standard fraud protection, so check out the options on offer before deciding which student debit card is the best one for your needs. 

Best debit cards for online shopping  

Many online stores only accept Visa or Mastercard, with fewer stores offering options to pay with an American Express card. Therefore, as long as your card is issued by one of these major card suppliers, there’s very little difference between these two options. If you do plenty of online shopping, a card offering frequent flyer points for your purchases may see you flying off to your favourite destination faster.

Best debit cards for kids 

There are two basic options to get a debit card for a child: either a card linked to a youth or junior bank account or a prepaid card issued by a money app designed especially for kids. Bank debit cards for kids are free, whereas money app spending cards may come with account fees and monthly charges. 

Best debit cards for growing your savings  

Some banks and financial institutions offer bonus interest on savings accounts if a certain sum is spent or a number of transactions made using a debit card per month. This bonus interest can help boost savings by growing your nest-egg faster with a higher interest rate. If you’re saving aggressively for your next house or car and need a new debit card, consider one which is linked to a transaction account and earns you bonus interest on your precious savings. 

Why compare debit cards with Savvy?

More of your frequently asked questions about the best debit cards

Are all debit cards fee-free?

Almost all standard debit cards are fee-free unless they’re overdrawn or used overseas, in which case overseas transaction charges can apply. Travel debit cards can come with monthly account fees and other usage charges, which is why they may not be so suitable for everyday use. 

What’s the difference between a prepaid card and a debit card?

A prepaid card is usually loaded up with cash in advance, but it isn’t linked to a bank account. When the preloaded sum has been spent, it’ll have to be recharged or topped up before it can be used again. In contrast, a debit card is linked to an everyday bank account and the spending limit depends on how much is in that linked bank account. 

At what age can kids get a debit card?

A child can legally open a bank account in their own name in Australia at the age of 12. However, some banks offer debit cards for kids as young as nine years old. These may be linked to a bank account held in joint names with a parent or guardian. The average age that major banks offer debit cards is around 12 to 14 years old for a card linked to a bank account solely in the child’s name.  

Is it best to choose a debit card with a cashback offer?

While it may not be the most important feature to look for, cashback offers can be very useful for cardholders. Whether the cashback offer is worth it will depend on whether you get a card that’s compatible with your routine spending habits. There’s little use in earning rewards points if you won’t use them, so compare cards carefully and find one that fits in with your routine spending habits. 

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