Kristie Kwok
Athena Cocoves
Getting approved for a credit card is very difficult if you have a bad credit score. And, even if you’re approved, you’ll probably be offered less favourable terms than an applicant with good credit.
What is the minimum credit score for a credit card in Australia?
Typically, lenders evaluate credit applications based on many factors, but your credit score is often integral to their assessment. It gives lenders an idea of how safe — or risky — it is to lend to you. Bad credit refers to a low score.
In Australia, three main credit agencies maintain your credit report: Equifax, illion and Experian. Each of them has a slightly different system for classifying scores, which we’ve outlined below:
| Equifax | Experian | illion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below Average or Low Score | 0-459 | 0-549 | 1-299 |
| Average, Fair or Room for Improvement | 460-660 | 550-624 | 300-499 |
| Good | 661-734 | 625-699 | 500-699 |
| Very Good or Great | 735-852 | 700-799 | 700-799 |
| Excellent | 853-1200 | 800-1000 | 800-1000 |
Generally, you’ll need a good credit score to apply for a credit card.
Types of credit cards for bad credit
Very few options exist when it comes to credit cards for bad credit. You might find ‘no credit check’ and secured credit cards overseas, but these types of credit cards are unavailable in Australia.
Additionally, only some local credit card providers offer joint credit cards where two people can share access and financial responsibility for the same account. Although this route could increase your chance of approval, particularly if you’re applying alongside someone with solid credit, there are risks — like overspending and taking on someone else’s debt.
You could try a student credit card if you’re still in university or TAFE and have a poor credit score due to a lack of borrowing experience. These cards are aimed at young people who might not have a strong employment history or high income.
Should you get a credit card with bad credit?
You’ll also have to think about whether access to more credit is in your best interest.
A credit card can build credit when you use it responsibly, but if you’re already struggling with bills and other types of borrowing, then having a new card account could make repayments even more challenging to manage.
When you apply for a credit card with bad credit, you’ll likely receive less competitive terms, like a higher interest rate and lower credit limit. Consequently, you may be at greater risk of overspending and accumulating expensive debt.
What to consider before applying
According to all three credit agencies, applying for credit too often can hurt your credit score. That’s why it’s a good idea to consider your chance of being approved before applying.
Here are some factors lenders may take into account when assessing your financial situation:
- Your income. Do you have a regular source of income? How long have you been employed? Credit providers want to be sure you have the means to repay the amounts you borrow.
- Your repayment history. Have you been paying off loans and bills on time and making more than minimum payments on other credit cards? These actions demonstrate responsible financial behaviour to potential lenders.
- Your spending habits. After paying for expenses and bills, how much money do you have each month? Consistently spending more than you earn, overdrawing your bank accounts, or having direct debits bounce back are all likely to raise red flags.
Since lenders will look into your credit report for some of this information, it’s essential to check your credit report to ensure it’s free from error.
If you’re approved:
While it’s tempting to use your first credit card immediately, you’ll need to manage your finances even more carefully now that you have greater purchasing power. First things first, check your interest rate and credit limit carefully.
Here are some tips on how to use your new card to improve your credit rating:
- don’t go over your card’s approved credit limit
- make on-time repayments.
- repay the entire balance each month. If this isn’t possible, then try to keep your card below 30% of your approved credit limit.
Setting a spending limit can help you get started. Better still, create a monthly budget and stick to it so you’ll have more control over your money.
If your application is rejected:
It’s easy to lose heart if your application is declined. However, your credit score is dynamic and changes in line with your financial behaviour — so you may want to focus on repairing your borrowing reputation before applying for any type of credit again. Remember, making multiple applications in a short time can damage your creditworthiness.
If you already have a few credit cards, closing the cards you don’t need or reducing their limits shows you’re taking positive action to prevent excessive debt.
Paying rent, bills and other credit products on time and adjusting your spending so that you don’t need to borrow can improve your score over time.
Credit card alternatives to consider
Credit cards are just one option if you’re trying to avoid carrying cash, want to make payments online, or want to take advantage of ‘tap and go’ technology. For example, consider a prepaid card, where funds are preloaded and stored on the card. Of course, debit cards can also give you the same convenience, but unlike prepaid cards, debit cards are linked to your bank account.
Frequently asked questions about credit cards
Applying for a credit card initiates a hard enquiry (or a hard check) because lenders need to assess your credit history for their lending decision. Having many hard enquiries on your credit file in a short time can lower your score as it signals to lenders that you’re having financial difficulties. Hard enquiries stay on your credit report for five years.
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