Guaranteed Approval and Secured Credit Cards - Compare at CreditCard.com.au (2023)

Credit cards that offer guaranteed approval in Australia are very rare. Here’s what you need to know about guaranteed approval for a credit card, and alternatives if you have bad credit.

‘Guaranteed approval’ credit cards don’t require a credit check for approval, and applicants may be approved more easily. Sometimes called ‘easy approval’ credit cards, these cards tend to be the preferred option for applicants with bad credit scores.

What about Secured Credit Cards?

While secured credit cards are available in North America, there are currently no secured credit cards on the Australian market.

Secured credit card providers require applicants to have equity in a property, or be able to deposit a sum of money into the bank which they can use as security if you fall behind on your repayments.

You might be able to use secured credit cards to rebuild your credit rating, since most providers report your repayment to credit bureaus. However, secured credit cards can be expensive to set up, and they also tend to charge high fees.

What are the alternatives?

If you can’t get guaranteed approval or secured credit cards in Australia, there are other options that might work for you.

Pay on demand apps as an alternative if you have bad credit

You can check out pay on demand apps in Australia, like Beforepay, which let you access your pay early and then repay it automatically over your next pay cycles. Pay on demand may help in emergency situations, and are one of the few options that often don’t require a credit check.

Beforepay

Access your pay early

You can access up to $2,000 of your pay for a 5% fixed fee. To decide your limit, Beforepay will securely connect with your bank to see your salary details.

Go to offer

⚠ Warning about Borrowing⚠
Do you really need a loan today?*

It can be expensive to borrow small amounts of money and borrowing may not solve your money problems. Check your options before you borrow:

  • For information about other options for managing bills and debts, ring 1800 007 007 from anywhere in Australia to talk to a free and independent financial counsellor
  • Talk to your electricity, gas, phone or water provider to see if you can work out a payment plan
  • If you are on government benefits, ask if you can receive an advance from Centrelink: Phone: 13 17 94

The Government’s MoneySmart website shows you how small amount loans work and suggests other options that may help you.

* This statement is an Australian Government requirement under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009.

Guaranteed Approval and Secured Credit Cards - Compare at CreditCard.com.au (1)

Get help with finances at Credit24 with their different loan offers and be approved within a day. T&Cs apply.

Get offer

Guaranteed Approval and Secured Credit Cards - Compare at CreditCard.com.au (2)

Avail and be approved of Jacaranda’s different loan offers with flexible terms in 60 seconds. T&Cs apply.

Get offer

Credit24 Short Term Loan Jacaranda Finance Personal Loan
Max Loan Amount: $2,000

Establishment Fee: 20%

Monthly Service Fee: 2-4%

Interest: N/A

Terms: 6-12 months

Max Loan Amount: $15,000

Establishment Fee: $0

Monthly Service Fee: $0

Interest: 24-48% p.a.

Withdrawal Fee: $0

Max Repayment Period: 24 months

Dealing with debt that’s affecting your credit score with a balance transfer

If it’s credit card debt – not a default on your score – that’s stopping you from being approved for credit cards or other types of loans, you can use resources like a balance transfer credit card to get on top of it.

A balance transfer lets you move your credit card debt to a new card that offers 0% interest on your transferred amount. That means you can make a plan to pay down your debt without the monthly interest charges stacking up on top.

To be very clear though, balance transfer credit cards are still subject to credit checks, so a default on your credit score could cause your application to be denied.

Carefully check the details of all balance transfer credit cards to make sure it suits you and what you want to achieve. You can use our comparison tool to compare balance transfer offers, annual fees and interest rates.

Important to note: Balance transfer cards still require credit checks, so they’re better suited for those with good credit, but have credit card debt or the potential to default on a card.

Instant Approval Credit Cards

Instant approval credit cards are similar to guaranteed approval cards, but they do involve a level of credit check. These instant approval credit cards are often offered over the internet and will give a decision in around 60 seconds. They can sometimes charge a higher interest rate and offer a lower credit limit, as although they do have some form of credit check, they don’t use the same rating methods as standard cards.

Remember that every time you apply for a card that involves a credit check, you may be adding to your poor score. If you’re interested in a 60 second decision credit card, you can check the following credit card options:

  • ANZ Low Rate
  • ANZ Platinum Credit Card
  • ANZ First Credit Card
  • ANZ Frequent Flyer Black Credit Card
  • Westpac Low Rate credit card
  • Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card

‘First’ cards and no interest rate credit cards

‘First’ credit cards: these cards, like the ANZ First Card, are geared towards new credit card holders with little or no credit history. While it likely won’t stand up if you have bad credit, it may be easier if you’re just starting out.

No-interest credit cards: No-interest credit cards are relatively new in Australia. They don’t charge interest, just a monthly fee and minimum repayment amount. You can find out more about no-interest credit cards here.

Store credit cards

Store cards are similar to instant approval credit cards, because they offer an instant approval at the store. Store cards are often the first credit card carried by many people. If you want to apply for a store card, check the interest rate, as it can often be much higher than standard cards. If this is the case, always pay off the balance at the end of the month before interest starts accruing.

How to deal with bad credit

First up, apply for a copy of your credit file and see what it says about you. Apply to have any errors corrected, and start working on improving your credit. You can do that by:

  • Making all repayments on time, including your home loan, car loan, personal loan or credit card
  • Speaking to your creditors to work out a payment plan if you’re struggling to make repayments
  • Meeting with a financial advisor to discuss your options
  • Considering a debt consolidation plan

You can also try speaking to your bank to see if they’ll use your history with them as good will, even if you have poor credit history or none at all.

A Final Thought…

The factor in common amongst guaranteed or instant approval cards is the low-level or non-existent credit check. But credit card companies are keen on applicants having a good credit score, because people’s previous behaviour with credit tends to be one of the best indicators of their future use of credit.

As defaulted debts and chasing these defaults is one of the biggest costs incurred by credit card providers, a good way of limiting their losses, and so maintaining lower interest rates, is to limit the number of people carrying their credit cards who have a poor credit history. For this reason, a prospective applicant should consider whether he or she really wants a card that doesn’t require any credit check.

FAQs

Which card is easiest to get approved for? ›

Secured credit cards are by far the easiest type of credit card to obtain, particularly if you have a poor or limited credit history.

What is the easiest unsecured card to get? ›

What Is the Easiest Unsecured Credit Card to Get Approved for?
  • Credit One Bank Platinum Visa: The Credit One Bank Platinum Visa offers cash-back with no security deposit required. ...
  • Total Visa: The Total Visa is an unsecured credit card designed for people who don't have perfect credit.

What is the difference between a guaranteed credit card and a secured credit card? ›

Key takeaways. Secured and unsecured credit cards have similarities, but they are different types of credit cards. Secured cards require a deposit, unlike unsecured cards. Compared to secured credit cards, unsecured credit cards may have lower interest rates and fees and higher credit limits.

Are secured cards guaranteed approval? ›

No. You are not guaranteed approval for a secured credit card. Credit card companies do not guarantee approval for secured cards because applicants for any type of credit card must meet certain minimum eligibility requirements, including being at least 18 years old and having enough income to pay the bills.

Can I get a Walmart credit card with a 520 credit score? ›

The Walmart Credit Card credit score requirement is 640 or higher, which means people with fair credit or better have a shot at getting approved for this card. The Walmart® Store Card also requires at least fair credit for approval.

What is the most difficult card to get approved for? ›

Centurion® Card from American Express

Why it's one of the hardest credit cards to get: The hardest credit card to get is the American Express Centurion Card. Known simply as the “Black Card,” you need an invitation to get Amex Centurion.

Can I get a credit card with a 524 credit score? ›

It is 176 points away from being a “good” credit score, which many people use as a benchmark, and 116 points from being “fair.” A 524 credit score won't knock any lenders' socks off, but it shouldn't completely prevent you from being approved for a credit card or loan, either.

What credit card can I get with a 587 credit score? ›

Compare Cards Table for Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit
Annual FeeRegular APR
Capital One Platinum Credit Card$029.99% (Variable)
Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card$017.74% – 31.74% (Variable)
Avant Credit Card$0-$5929.74%-34.74% (Variable)
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®$017.99% – 29.49% (Variable)
2 more rows
Mar 30, 2023

Can I get an unsecured credit card with 570 credit score? ›

Yes, you can get a credit card with a 570 credit score, and there are both secured and unsecured options. One of the best credit cards for a 570 score is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card because it offers rewards and a $0 annual fee.

How many points will a secured card raise my score? ›

Getting approved for a credit card does not raise your credit score automatically. For that to happen, you need to make all your payments on time and maintain a low credit utilization ratio. If you pay off the entire balance of a card that's maxed out, you may expect your credit score to increase by around 10 points.

What are 2 downsides of getting a secured credit card? ›

Secured credit cards tend to have:
  • High fees and interest rates. Secured credit cards may charge high application, processing or annual fees. ...
  • Low credit limits. ...
  • You'll need to have cash up front.

How many credit cards should you have? ›

If your goal is to get or maintain a good credit score, two to three credit card accounts, in addition to other types of credit, are generally recommended. This combination may help you improve your credit mix. Lenders and creditors like to see a wide variety of credit types on your credit report.

Can I get a credit card with a 552 credit score? ›

There is no minimum credit score needed for a credit card. Some credit card companies don't even check applicants' credit history, so it's certainly possible to get a credit card even if you have a very low credit score or no credit score at all.

Can you get a credit card with a 530 credit score? ›

Yes, you can get a credit card with a 530 credit score, and there are both secured and unsecured options. One of the best credit cards for a 530 score is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card because it offers rewards and a $0 annual fee.

Do people get denied for secured credit cards? ›

Yes, you can be denied for a secured card if you have major negative items on your credit report such as an ongoing or recently discharged bankruptcy, collection accounts, or repossessions. You could also be denied if you don't meet the issuer's minimum requirements for approval.

What credit cards can I get with a 555 credit score? ›

Credit Cards with a 555 Credit Score

The best type of credit card for a 555 credit score is a secured credit card. Secured cards give people with bad credit high approval odds and have low fees because cardholders are required to place a refundable security deposit.

What credit score do you need for an Amazon card? ›

Typically, you can qualify for Synchrony's Amazon store cards with a fair credit score (580 to 669). On the other hand, you'll likely need at least a good credit score (670 to 739) to qualify for one of the Amazon Visa cards from Chase.

What credit card can I get with a 512 score? ›

Popular Credit Cards for a 512 Credit Score
  • Best Overall: Discover it® Secured Credit Card.
  • No Credit Check: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card.
  • Unsecured: Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit.
  • Rewards & No Annual Fee: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card.

What is the easiest American Express card to get? ›

Which Amex card is the easiest to get? The easiest Amex cards to get are ones with a lower minimum spending requirement for rewards, as well as a low annual fee or no annual fee. Examples include the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express and the American Express Cash Magnet Card.

What's the lowest credit card score you can have? ›

Most of the credit scores that lenders use in the United States, including most versions of the FICO Score, range from 300 to 850. Therefore, most financial professionals generally accept that 300 is the lowest credit score a consumer can have.

What card has no limit? ›

An open card, sometimes referred to by the credit bureaus as a charge card, “typically has no preset spending limit and requires you to pay the balance in full each month,” Lee said. A revolving account acts more like a traditional card, allowing you to carry a balance from month to month and pay over time.

What credit card can I get with a 592 score? ›

Popular Credit Cards for a 592 Credit Score
  • Best Overall: Discover it® Secured Credit Card.
  • No Credit Check: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card.
  • Unsecured: Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit.
  • Rewards & No Annual Fee: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Can I get a credit card with 450 credit? ›

With an 450 credit score, you're unlikely to get approved for a traditional credit card. Credit cards are unsecured forms of debt, so banks tend to be a bit more cautious compared to loans backed by specific assets, like mortgages and auto loans.

What credit score do you need for a unsecured credit card? ›

Most unsecured credit cards require credit in the good to excellent range (670-850). This range is where you'll become eligible for many different kinds of rewards and 0 percent intro APR cards. You can also find some cards that will accept a score in the fair to good range (580-669).

What credit card can I get with a 550 to 600 credit score? ›

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

The is an excellent secured credit card for people with 550-600 credit scores largely because of its low minimum opening security deposit. A $49 security deposit will instantly grant a $200 credit line.

What credit score do you need for a Walmart card? ›

You need a credit score of 640 or higher to qualify for a Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®. This implies that those with average to exceptional credit are more likely to get approved for the Walmart Credit Card.

What credit cards can I get with a 602 credit score? ›

8 Best Credit Cards for 600 to 650 Credit Scores (July 2023)
  • Capital One Platinum Credit Card. ...
  • Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. ...
  • Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. ...
  • Fortiva® Mastercard® Credit Card. ...
  • Aspire® Cash Back Reward Card. ...
  • Discover it® Student Cash Back.

Can I get a Capital One credit card 500 credit score? ›

The best credit card for a 500 credit score is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card.

What credit cards can I get with a 532 credit score? ›

Popular Credit Cards for a 532 Credit Score
  • Best Overall: Discover it® Secured Credit Card.
  • No Credit Check: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card.
  • Unsecured: Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit.
  • Rewards & No Annual Fee: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card.

What credit card can I get with a 510? ›

The best type of credit card for a 510 credit score is a secured credit card. Secured cards give people with bad credit high approval odds and have low fees because cardholders are required to place a refundable security deposit.

How to increase credit score 100 points in 1 month? ›

Here are 10 ways to increase your credit score by 100 points - most often this can be done within 45 days.
  1. Check your credit report. ...
  2. Pay your bills on time. ...
  3. Pay off any collections. ...
  4. Get caught up on past-due bills. ...
  5. Keep balances low on your credit cards. ...
  6. Pay off debt rather than continually transferring it.

Can I raise my credit score 100 points in a month? ›

For most people, increasing a credit score by 100 points in a month isn't going to happen. But if you pay your bills on time, eliminate your consumer debt, don't run large balances on your cards and maintain a mix of both consumer and secured borrowing, an increase in your credit could happen within months.

How to get a 700 credit score in 30 days? ›

7 Ways to Raise Your Credit Score in 30 Days:
  1. Dispute Credit-Report Mistakes. ...
  2. Make a Big Debt Payment. ...
  3. Reduce Your Credit Card Statement Balance. ...
  4. Become an Authorized User. ...
  5. Dispute Negative Authorized-User Records. ...
  6. Ask for a Higher Credit Limit. ...
  7. Write a Goodwill Letter.
May 22, 2023

How many secured cards should I have to build credit? ›

You should only have one secured credit card to rebuild your credit initially, though you may want to consider eventually having two. It's not a good idea to apply for multiple credit cards at the same time because each application triggers a hard credit pull that negatively impacts your credit score.

Is it easier to get a secured credit card or unsecured? ›

That being said, secured credit cards are real credit cards – they have interest rates, and you have to pay your monthly bill on time. In contrast, unsecured credit cards tend to be harder to get, because the card issuer takes on a lot more risk by extending an unsecured credit line.

Is it harder to get a secured credit card or unsecured? ›

Trying to decide between a secured or unsecured card? Your credit score might play a big role in your decision-making. If you have less-than-stellar credit, a secured credit card may be the better option since they're typically easier to qualify for with poor credit (scores below 580) or no credit.

Is 7 credit cards a lot? ›

There is no universal number of credit cards that is “too many.” Your credit score won't tank once you hit a certain number. In reality, the point of “too many” credit cards is when you're losing money on annual fees or having trouble keeping up with bills — and that varies from person to person.

How much credit cards does the average person have? ›

How many credit cards does the average person have? According to the latest figures from Experian, the average American has 3.84 credit cards with an average credit limit of $30,365.

Is it too much to have 5 credit cards? ›

How many credit cards is too many or too few? Credit scoring formulas don't punish you for having too many credit accounts, but you can have too few. Credit bureaus suggest that five or more accounts — which can be a mix of cards and loans — is a reasonable number to build toward over time.

What can I get approved for with a 600 credit score? ›

What Does a 600 Credit Score Get You?
Type of CreditDo You Qualify?
Secured Credit CardYES
Unsecured Credit CardYES
Home LoanYES (FHA Loan)
Personal LoanMAYBE
1 more row

Can I get a Capital One credit card with a 550 credit score? ›

You need a credit score of at least 700 (good credit) for the best Capital One credit card offers. However, other options are available for people with lower scores.

Can I get a credit card with a 579 credit score? ›

You can get a credit card with a credit score of 570, but you may find your options are more limited and you may need to get a secured credit card. Secured credit cards require an upfront deposit, which your line of credit is based on.

How do I guarantee my credit card approval? ›

A good credit score will increase your odds of being approved for a credit card as lenders like to see that you can manage an additional line of credit and make monthly payments on what you charge. You should always pay your credit card bills on time each month and try to pay them in full if you can.

Can I get approved for a credit card with a 520 credit score? ›

It is 180 points away from being a “good” credit score, which many people use as a benchmark, and 120 points from being “fair.” A 520 credit score won't knock any lenders' socks off, but it shouldn't completely prevent you from being approved for a credit card or loan, either.

How long does it take to go from a 530 credit score to a 700? ›

Average Recovery Time

The good news is that when your score is low, each positive change you make is likely to have a significant impact. For instance, going from a poor credit score of around 500 to a fair credit score (in the 580-669 range) takes around 12 to 18 months of responsible credit use.

Why won t Capital One approve me? ›

A credit card issuer has to make sure you have enough income to make the required payments for your card. If you don't have enough income to make the minimum payments, you might not be approved.

How can I build credit if I can't get approved for anything? ›

Below, CNBC Select reviews six things you should do if you have no credit history and want to start building credit.
  1. Become an authorized user. ...
  2. Apply for a secured credit card. ...
  3. Get credit for paying monthly utility and cell phone bills on time. ...
  4. Take out a credit builder loan. ...
  5. Keep a close eye on your credit utilization.
5 days ago

Why did discover card deny me? ›

Common reasons applicants are denied credit cards include low credit scores, no credit history, inadequate ratio of income vs. expenses, and not meeting minimum age requirements.

Which card is accepted the most? ›

Visa and Mastercard are by far the most widely accepted cards, with Discover slightly behind those brands and American Express in a distant fourth place. Any retailer that accepts card payments likely takes Visa and Mastercard.

Can I get an unsecured credit card with a 500 credit score? ›

Having a credit score between 400 and 550 doesn't mean that you are ineligible to get approved for an unsecured credit card. Today, there are plenty of credit cards that you can choose from that will help you improve your credit history, but you must use them responsibly and be aware of high interest rates.

What kind of a credit card can customers with a bad credit history get? ›

6 Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit (June 2023):

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: Best for rebuilding credit. Self - Credit Builder Account with Secured Visa® Credit Card: Best for building credit with savings. Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best secured card with rewards.

Can you get any credit cards with a 500 credit score? ›

Yes, you can get a credit card with a 500 credit score, though your options will be limited to secured credit cards and unsecured credit cards for bad credit. The best credit card for a 500 credit score is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card.

What's the lowest credit score to get a credit card? ›

There is no minimum credit score needed for a credit card. Even borrowers with poor credit (a score of 300) or no credit card at all can qualify for some credit cards.

Which card is mostly used in USA? ›

Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted credit cards. Discover may not be accepted at some businesses. Travel and Entertainment Cards: These are also credit cards issued by banks.

Which credit card is the fastest? ›

best instant approval credit cards in India
  1. HDFC Bank instant approval credit card. ...
  2. Bajaj Finserv RBL Bank super card. ...
  3. Kotak 811 #Dream Different credit card. ...
  4. Standard Chartered virtual credit card. ...
  5. SimplySAVE SBI credit card. ...
  6. Axis Bank Insta Easy credit card.
Jan 1, 2022

What credit card companies don t want you to know? ›

7 Things Your Credit Card Company Doesn't Want You to Know
  • #1: You're the boss. ...
  • #2: You can lower your current interest rate. ...
  • #3: You can play hard to get before you apply for a new card. ...
  • #4: You don't actually get 45 days' notice when your bank decides to raise your interest rate. ...
  • #5: You can get a late fee removed.

What is the easiest loan to get? ›

The easiest loans to get approved for are payday loans, car title loans, pawnshop loans and personal loans with no credit check. These types of loans offer quick funding and have minimal requirements, so they're available to people with bad credit. They're also very expensive in most cases.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Duane Harber

Last Updated: 12/24/2023

Views: 5922

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Duane Harber

Birthday: 1999-10-17

Address: Apt. 404 9899 Magnolia Roads, Port Royceville, ID 78186

Phone: +186911129794335

Job: Human Hospitality Planner

Hobby: Listening to music, Orienteering, Knapping, Dance, Mountain biking, Fishing, Pottery

Introduction: My name is Duane Harber, I am a modern, clever, handsome, fair, agreeable, inexpensive, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.