‘Buy now, pay later’ (BNPL) as a payment option has gained considerable popularity recently as consumers look for more flexible ways to pay for things. One way to do this is through ‘buy now pay later’ cards offered in Australia.
How do ‘buy now, pay later’ cards work in Australia?
BNPL cards in Australia come in two forms:
- Credit cards that offer instalment payment plans as a feature for cardholders
- Cards specific to ‘buy now later’ (BNPL) services, which you can apply for.
There is some crossover of the two, but it’s important to note the distinction.
Buying now and paying later with a credit card works like using a BNLP provider (AfterPay, ZipPay and Klarna) — but through another company. You agree to the instalment plan’s terms and fee structure, as well as any interest rate and penalties. The total value of your purchases must stay within your credit limit, but you can typically have multiple BNPL-like transactions at once.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
You can bypass external providers and credit card companies and have it all ‘under one roof’ with your bank. With dozens of BNPL companies on the market, you may want to skip the potential credit check and go through your bank instead of taking on more credit. This can help simplify your finances and mitigate the impact on your credit rating — all while offering convenience and added security.
» MORE: How to use your credit card to buy now and pay later
Options for buy now, pay later cards in Australia
Here’s an overview of the BNPL card options available in Australia. Information is accurate as of publication.
AMEX Plan It | |
Repay over three, six or 12 months. | Monthly fees apply. |
ANZ Instalment Plans | |
Repay over three, six or 12 months. | • 1.5% fee for three months • 3.5% for six months • 6.5% for 12 months. |
Bank of Melbourne Plan & Pay | |
Repay over three, six or 12 months. | • 1% fee for three months • 2% for six months • 4% for 12 months. |
Bank of Queensland Easi-Pay | |
Repay with fixed monthly instalments over a set term. | Fees and charges may apply. |
Bankwest Easy Instalments Purchase Plans | |
Repay with four equal payments. | Late fees for missed payments. |
Citi Instalment Plans (FlexiBill and PayLite) | |
Repay with fixed monthly payments. | Set up fees and interest charges. |
Coles Instalment Plans | |
Repay with fixed monthly instalments over a set term. | Interest and fees apply. |
CommBank StepPay | |
Four equal fortnightly repayments. | $10 late payment fee. |
CommBank SurePay | |
Repay over three, six or 12 months. | • 2% fee 3 months • 3% for 6 months • 5% for 12 months. |
Humm90 credit card | |
Repay over nine, 12 or 15 months. | • 3% fee for 9 months • 4% for 12 months • 5% for 15 months + $99 annual fee. |
ING Instalment Plans | |
Repay within three months to 7 years. | 9.99% interest per plan. |
Latitude Gem Visa | |
Six months of interest-free repayments. | Interest charges after the six-month interest-free period ends. |
NAB Now Pay Later | |
Make four repayments over six weeks. | No fees. |
Qantas Premier Statement Instalment Plans | |
Repay with fixed monthly instalments over a set term. | Interest charges. |
St. George Plan & Pay | |
Repay over three, six or 12 months. | • 1% fee for 3 months • 2% for 6 months • 4% for 12 months. |
Suncorp Instalment Plans | |
Pay 25% now, followed by three equal fortnightly repayments. | None (when you pay on time). |
Virgin Money Instalment Plans | |
Repay with fixed monthly instalments over a set term. | Set-up costs apply. |
Westpac PartPay | |
Make four payments over six weeks. | Late fees for missed payments. |
Westpac SmartPlan | |
Repay over three, six or 12 months. | • 1% fee for 3 months • 2% for 6 months • 4% for 12 months. |
» MORE: BNPL vs. credit cards: Which is right for you?
Options from the Big Four
CommBank StepPay
StepPay is a digital-only BNPL product you can add to your mobile wallet. All transactions above $100 using StepPay are split into four equal fortnightly repayments. It’s a no-interest, no-fee plan with a $2,000 credit limit.
Cost: Late payments incur a $10 fee.
CommBank SurePay
SurePay allows you to split a purchase or credit card balance into fixed monthly repayments. You can have up to 50 active plans. It’s no-interest but fee-based. Instalment plans aren’t available on the CommBank Neo card.
Cost: A percentage fee based on 3, 6 or 12 months. Missed payments incur a standard purchase/cash advance fee.
Westpac PartPay
PartPay allows you to split transactions into four payments over six weeks. It’s a feature of your Westpac credit card, activated as a digital PartPay Card in your account. PartPay uses your established credit limit. You can use PartPay if you have Westpac’s Low Rate card, Low Fee card, Altitude Platinum or Altitude Black credit card.
Cost: No additional charges as long as the payments go through. Missed payments will be transferred to your credit card’s purchase balance and can incur interest.
Westpac SmartPlan
SmartPlan enables an instalment plan on specific items (over $200) or your credit balance. Choose between three, six or 12-month repayment plans. Interest is 0%.
Cost: An establishment fee (1-3%) based on 3, 6 or 12 months. Westpac will charge a fee and cancel your SmartPlan account if you miss a payment.
ANZ Instalment Plans
ANZ Instalment Plans is a credit card repayment schedule over 3, 6 or 12 months. You can have up to 99 active plans. ANZ Buy Now Pay Later uses your available credit limit. It’s interest-free, with a % fee structure.
To access ANZ BNPL, you must be up to date with payments, not exceed 95% available credit and have had an account open for more than 90 days.
Cost: The monthly instalment fee is based on the length of the agreement: 1.5% for three months, 3.5% for six months, and 6.5% for 12 months.
NAB Now Pay Later
NAB Now Pay Later is an instalment repayment option for credit card purchases — split transactions into four interest-free repayments over six weeks. Use the digital wallet online or the mobile wallet in-store, with a $2,000 credit limit.
Customers with NAB transaction accounts who are 18 years or older are eligible to apply.
Cost: There are no fees. However, NAB reports new accounts and missed payments to credit bureaus. So, it’s critical to use NAB Now Pay Later responsibly.
Options from other big players
AMEX Plan It
AMEX Plan It allows you to pay off a credit card transaction or balance in instalments, without interest, over three, six or 12 months. A monthly fee applies.
AMEX credit cardholders can activate Plan It.
Cost: Use the Plan It Now calculator to determine the monthly fee.
Citi FlexiBill
Citi FlexiBill converts transactions from the closing balance of your last statement into instalments. It requires a minimum of $500, but you can choose your repayment plan.
Available for Citi credit card holders. You can have multiple Citi instalment plans if you don’t exceed your credit limit. However, you can only have one Citi FlexiBill plan per statement period.
Cost: Set-up fees for fixed repayments may apply. Payment plans may incur interest.
Citi PayLite
Citi PayLite converts retail purchases of $50 or more into monthly repayments before the charge appears on your statement.
Available for Citi credit card holders. You can have multiple Citi instalment plans if you don’t exceed your credit limit.
Cost: Set-up fees for fixed repayments may apply. Payment plans may incur interest.
🤓 Nerdy Tip: Instalments are here to stay
Instalments-as-a-service options are available beyond credit cards, banks and other credit lenders. Keep this in mind as you’re shopping around. For example, a handful of companies provide the BNPL approach for travel, with ‘fly now pay later’ on eligible flights. BNPL is a financial trend that will likely continue to extend beyond retail.
Other banks
ING Instalment Plans
The ING Buy Now Pay Later instalment plan enables you to repay transactions over a chosen time frame with a lower interest rate when using the ING Orange One credit card. It’s available on transactions over $250. Instalment plans range from 3 months to 7 years. You can have ten active plans.
Available through a credit card application for consumers who meet eligibility requirements. The Orange One Low Rate card requires a minimum income of $36,000.
Cost: 9.99% interest per instalment plan. No fees.
Bankwest Easy Instalments Purchase Plans
Split up the total cost of (up to) five transactions into four payments at 0% interest. Purchase amounts must be between $100 – $10,000.
Instalment plans are available for Bankwest credit card holders.
Cost: There are no maintenance fees, but you must fulfil your repayment agreement to avoid late fees. Unpaid instalment plans revert to the standard purchase rate.
Bank of Queensland Easi-Pay
Repay your credit card transactions or total balance in fixed instalments over a set term. Convert multiple eligible purchases into payment plans if within your credit limit. To convert transactions on your current statement, they must be over $500.
To set up, nominate the debit account.
Cost: It’s interest-free if you make the repayment dates. Fees and charges may apply.
Bank of Melbourne Plan&Pay
Pay off credit card purchases within three, six or 12 months with 0% interest. Purchases must be over $200 and made within the past 30 days. Repay a credit card balance within three to 36 months with a lower interest rate. Both options incur a monthly fee.
Plan&Pay is available to Bank of Melbourne credit card holders.
Cost: 1% fee for three months, 2% for six months, and 4% for 12 months
St. George Plan&Play
Pay off credit card purchases within three, six or 12 months, with 0% interest. Purchases must be over $200 and made within the past 30 days. Repay a credit card balance within three to 36 months with a lower interest rate. Both options incur a monthly fee.
Plan&Pay is available to St. George credit card holders.
Cost: 1% fee for three months, 2% for six months, and 4% for 12 months
Suncorp Instalment Plans
Suncorp Buy Now Pay Later allows you to repay purchases in four equal instalments with 0% interest and $0 in fees when you pay on time. Suncorp credit card customers must apply for this service and receive a $1,000 spend limit. Then, the Suncorp PayLater Visa Debit card is added to your mobile wallet.
To access PayLater, you’ll need an eligible Suncorp Everyday Options account.
When you make a PayLater purchase, 25% of the transaction amount will be deducted from your everyday account, followed by the three equal fortnightly payments.
Cost: None (when you pay on time).
Non-bank BNPL card providers
Humm90 credit card
Humm90 is a Buy Now Pay Later specific credit card — access up to 110 interest-free days on purchases above $250. Afterwards, the rate reverts to a whopping 25.80%. You can pay it off over 9, 12 or 15 months.
Applicants must earn at least $25,000 a year and have healthy credit.
Cost: 3% fee for nine months, 4% for 12 months, 5% for 15 months, plus a $99 annual fee.
Latitude Gem Visa
Liike Humm90, Latitude is a BNPL-themed credit card — access six months interest-free on purchases over $250 with the Latitude Gem Visa. Be wary of the higher-than-average rate once the interest-free period is over.
There are no stringent application conditions.
Cost: 0% interest for six months, then a 26.99% interest rate, plus a $9.95 monthly fee. $35 late fees apply.
Coles Instalment Plans
Coles also offers flexible monthly repayment plans on their line of credit cards. Convert transactions over $500 on your last statement to a payment plan. Or, convert upcoming purchases worth $50 into instalments.
You can have multiple plans if the total is below 90% of your credit limit. Instalment plans use your available credit. Eligibility requires accounts to be in good standing.
Cost: Interest charges and set-up fees apply.
Qantas Premier Statement Instalment Plans
Qantas offers flexible repayment plans over a set term (of your choosing) to lock in a lower interest rate. You can earn 10,000 Qantas Points when you set up an instalment plan over $2,500 and make the first three payments on time.
You can have multiple accounts if the combined total stays below your credit limit. Your account must be in good standing to be eligible.
Cost: Interest charges, but there are no fees.
Virgin Money Instalment Plans
Pay off purchases at a fixed rate over a set term. Convert transactions over $500 to an instalment plan using your existing credit limit. Virgin Money plans don’t earn Velocity points.
You cannot set up an instalment plan if there isn’t a Fixed Payment Option in your online account.
Cost: Set-up fees and costs may apply.
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