Getting a credit card in Oz

duckygalway

I'll be arriving in Sydney next month on a WHV and thanks to this forum I'm briefed on getting my tax number straight away and setting up a bank account! I was wondering though about getting a credit card in Australia.

I have my Irish one (which I won't be using til I get off the ground) but have noticed AIB have recently started charging a percentage to convert from different currencies to the billing currency (FFS) -and I resent paying the banks here for anything!

What's the story with getting one down under? Do they have to get a credit check from back here or do they even give them to people on WHV?

mandrake04

duckygalway wrote: »

I'll be arriving in Sydney next month on a WHV and thanks to this forum I'm briefed on getting my tax number straight away and setting up a bank account! I was wondering though about getting a credit card in Australia.

I have my Irish one (which I won't be using til I get off the ground) but have noticed AIB have recently started charging a percentage to convert from different currencies to the billing currency (FFS) -and I resent paying the banks here for anything!

What's the story with getting one down under? Do they have to get a credit check from back here or do they even give them to people on WHV?

Your Australian bank can issue you with a Visa or master card debit card linked to your bank account.

You wouldn't get a credit card on a WHV. Unless you commit fraud and give false information.... thats another story.

FreeAnd..

mandrake04 wrote: »

Your Australian bank can issue you with a Visa or master card debit card linked to your bank account.

You wouldn't get a credit card on a WHV. Unless you commit fraud and give false information.... thats another story.

Not true - once you are paid enough on a regular basis you will be offered a CC on a WHV without the requirement of being a permanent resident...not as easy here in NZ and i still get screwed using my australian one here (on currency exhange and usage foreign usage fees)...I'm with ANZ by the way

mandrake04

FreeAnd.. wrote: »

Not true - once you are paid enough on a regular basis you will be offered a CC on a WHV without the requirement of being a permanent resident...not as easy here in NZ and i still get screwed using my australian one here (on currency exhange and usage foreign usage fees)...I'm with ANZ by the way

Like I said in my previous post... another story.

I had a friend who got a credit card on a WHV (over stayed by 4 years) when he applied they asked was he a permanent resident he lied and said yes.... he got deported about 2 years ago with $6000 unpaid.... it is only catching up on him now... he committed fraud by supplying false information and he thought he was safe in Ireland .....big mistake.

I bank with ANZ myself and when I got a visa card a few years ago (when I was on a 457) I distinctly remember them asking me if I was an Australian Resident and I remember lying and saying yes... all good now though.

mandrake04

FreeAnd.. wrote: »

Not true - once you are paid enough on a regular basis you will be offered a CC on a WHV without the requirement of being a permanent resident...not as easy here in NZ and i still get screwed using my australian one here (on currency exhange and usage foreign usage fees)...I'm with ANZ by the way

Just had another thought... Getting paid on a regular basis means nothing... you have to be in a permanent job....Thanks to the GFC the banks are cracking down on lending out money why would they give credit to someone on a casual job from another country?

I get paid $2000 a week in a permanent job and its a sh!t fight trying to get a home loan for my own place... and thats a secured loan.

ballooba

mandrake04 wrote: »

Your Australian bank can issue you with a Visa or master card debit card linked to your bank account.

You wouldn't get a credit card on a WHV. Unless you commit fraud and give false information.... thats another story.

Wrong. I got a 6,000 AUD limit from Comm Bank on a WHV. No lies told.

hussey

ballooba wrote: »

Wrong. I got a 6,000 AUD limit from Comm Bank on a WHV. No lies told.

I also got a CC on a WHV.

mandrake04

ballooba wrote: »

Wrong. I got a 6,000 AUD limit from Comm Bank on a WHV. No lies told.

Comm bank is the one Smity used and they are looking their money back.... and hes in Ireland. They are pursuing him over it.

I heard that other people had obtained Credit Card on WHV and done a runner back to Ireland... without paying it back.

FreeAnd..

Wrong. I got a 6,000 AUD limit from Comm Bank on a WHV. No lies told.

$15K limit with ANZ and no lies told, no fraud, no deception - up to $19K now and still use the card although its almost expired

FreeAnd..

mandrake04 wrote: »

Just had another thought... Getting paid on a regular basis means nothing... you have to be in a permanent job....Thanks to the GFC the banks are cracking down on lending out money why would they give credit to someone on a casual job from another country?

I get paid $2000 a week in a permanent job and its a sh!t fight trying to get a home loan for my own place... and thats a secured loan.

suppose it depends on the bank and whether 2K a week meets their requirement - my GF wasn't granted one on her weekly wage

m@cc@

If the GFC has taught you anything, it should be to spend within your means. If you don't have the money to be in Australia than you shouldn't go.

ballooba

mandrake04 wrote: »

Comm bank is the one Smity used and they are looking their money back.... and hes in Ireland. They are pursuing him over it.

I heard that other people had obtained Credit Card on WHV and done a runner back to Ireland... without paying it back.

Believe me, nobody was more surprised than I that I was approved. I made sure to emphasise my visa status to ensure there were no complications later on. That was in July 2008 so it may be different now. The only caveat was that my credit card expired before my visa. I was also pulling in a few Gs a month at the time as a contractor.

duckygalway

What's the GFC?

hussey

duckygalway wrote: »

What's the GFC?

Galway Fried Chicken

FreeAnd..

m@cc@ wrote: »

If the GFC has taught you anything, it should be to spend within your means. If you don't have the money to be in Australia than you shouldn't go.

what on earth has the GFC and monetary requirements travelling to Oz got to do with whether you can get a CC or not?

FreeAnd..

Just to add - From ANZ website for Visa First and Gold Card

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for the ANZ First Visa, you must:
Be over 18 years of age
Have a good credit rating
Be a permanent Australian resident, earning a minimum annual income of $15,000. If you are a non-permanent Australian resident you must earn a minimum of $50,000

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for the ANZ Gold, you must:
Be over 18 years of age
Have a good credit rating
Earn a minimum annual income of $50,000

m@cc@

FreeAnd.. wrote: »

what on earth has the GFC and monetary requirements travelling to Oz got to do with whether you can get a CC or not?

I would go into it, but this should answer your question.

FreeAnd..

m@cc@ wrote: »

I would go into it, but this should answer your question.

so only the financially illiterate use CC's - give me a break - there's a big difference between having a CC and being in debt with a CC...or do you need an image to explain?

m@cc@

FreeAnd.. wrote: »

there's a big difference between having a CC and being in debt with a CC...or do you need an image to explain?

You're always in debt with a CC. Need me to explain?

FreeAnd..

why don't you draw me a picture?

where does having a credit card = spending outside of ones means?
where does having a credit card = shouldn't travel to Australia?
where does having a credit card = always owe money on the credit card?

Do you have a credit card?

m@cc@

why don't you draw me a picture?

where does having a credit card = spending outside of ones means? It's credit, not your money.
where does having a credit card = shouldn't travel to Australia? Not saying you shouldn't but you certainly shouldn't be looking to fund a year in Oz with it.
where does having a credit card = always owe money on the credit card? Banks issue CCs to make money, you will always owe something at the end of the month.

Do you have a credit card? I used to but I got rid of it.

54kroc

mandrake04 wrote: »

Comm bank is the one Smity used and they are looking their money back.... and hes in Ireland. They are pursuing him over it.

I heard that other people had obtained Credit Card on WHV and done a runner back to Ireland... without paying it back.

Surely they are wasting their time,how can they pursue him over here?

m@cc@

cork45 wrote: »

Surely they are wasting their time,how can they pursue him over here?

Australia has a bit of history in dealing with Irish 'criminals'.

mandrake04

FreeAnd.. wrote: »

Just to add - From ANZ website for Visa First and Gold Card

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for the ANZ First Visa, you must:
Be over 18 years of age
Have a good credit rating
Be a permanent Australian resident, earning a minimum annual income of $15,000. If you are a non-permanent Australian resident you must earn a minimum of $50,000

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for the ANZ Gold, you must:
Be over 18 years of age
Have a good credit rating
Earn a minimum annual income of $50,000

Thats the one I have ANZ Visa First...


Pretty Stupid to give someone a Credit Card with a $6000 limit just because they say they earn $50,000 a year.

Like a backpacker might do a week of Labouring and get $1000 for it and Qualify for Credit card...

If thats the case they might only do 1 week work the whole time they are here and get a credit card to go traveling and the leg it home...

Makes no sense.... until it catches up with in the long term.

FreeAnd..

m@cc@ wrote: »

why don't you draw me a picture?

where does having a credit card = spending outside of ones means? It's credit, not your money.
where does having a credit card = shouldn't travel to Australia? Not saying you shouldn't but you certainly shouldn't be looking to fund a year in Oz with it.
where does having a credit card = always owe money on the credit card? Banks issue CCs to make money, you will always owe something at the end of the month.

Do you have a credit card? I used to but I got rid of it.

Ha! - your logic is astounding...

re-check your dummy book for the meaning of spending within your means...
who said anything about funding a year in Oz with a CC?

Obviously banks issue CCs to make money - and make money they do - off people who can't use them and shouldn't have one - sounds like you must of had a responsibility issue with spending within your means when you had one - don't tar everyone with your own brush

eringobragh

m@cc@ wrote: »

why don't you draw me a picture?

where does having a credit card = spending outside of ones means? It's credit, not your money.
where does having a credit card = shouldn't travel to Australia? Not saying you shouldn't but you certainly shouldn't be looking to fund a year in Oz with it.
where does having a credit card = always owe money on the credit card? Banks issue CCs to make money, you will always owe something at the end of the month.

Do you have a credit card? I used to but I got rid of it.

You can have a credit card and not owe any money ..I've had a credit card nearly 10 years and I've never once owed the bank a cent..

mandrake04

cork45 wrote: »

Surely they are wasting their time,how can they pursue him over here?

Not sure but he has got a few letters about it.... but if anyone thinks they could just walk away with free money in this day and age they are dreaming.

It will catch up with him in the long term.... he knows it as well.

FreeAnd..

mandrake04 wrote: »

Thats the one I have ANZ Visa First...


Pretty Stupid to give someone a Credit Card with a $6000 limit just because they say they earn $50,000 a year.

Like a backpacker might do a week of Labouring and get $1000 for it and Qualify for Credit card...

If thats the case they might only do 1 week work the whole time they are here and get a credit card to go traveling and the leg it home...

Makes no sense.... until it catches up with in the long term.

yeah me too - I wasn't offered it until I had a few months pay and savings that met the yearly requirement so i don't think they will hand them out after a week or 2...

FreeAnd..

eringobragh wrote: »

You can have a credit card and never owedany money ..I've had a credit card nearly 10 years and I've never once owed the bank a cent..

That logic seems lost on some people - the very people who run into CC problems i'd imagine

m@cc@

FreeAnd.. wrote: »

Ha! - your logic is astounding...

re-check your dummy book for the meaning of spending within your means...
who said anything about funding a year in Oz with a CC?

Obviously banks issue CCs to make money - and make money they do - off people who can't use them and shouldn't have one - sounds like you must of had a responsibility issue with spending within your means when you had one - don't tar everyone with your own brush

I only actually used it for internet transactions but with the arrival of debit cards, I had little need for it.

I'm not tarring everyone with the same brush. I'd just ask the question why would the first thing you'd worry about when arriving in Oz is whether you can get a credit card?

FreeAnd..

m@cc@ wrote: »

I only actually used it for internet transactions but with the arrival of debit cards, I had little need for it.

I'm not tarring everyone with the same brush. I'd just ask the question why would the first thing you'd worry about when arriving in Oz is whether you can get a credit card?

Now that seems like a different question altogether - alot less dramatic than causing the GFC!

although I hear where the OP is coming from - I looked into getting one here in NZ when I got here but you have to be a resident to get one here...I still have my Oz one which I use the odd time but get extra foreign exchange charges

As for Debit Cards, are they still like using credit cards in positive balance? i.e. should you're card be used fraudulently you are liable rather than the banking institution?

eringobragh

m@cc@ wrote: »

I only actually used it for internet transactions but with the arrival of debit cards, I had little need for it.

I'm not tarring everyone with the same brush. I'd just ask the question why would the first thing you'd worry about when arriving in Oz is whether you can get a credit card?

TBH I was looking for one myself because when I rent cars (a CC [and debit card I'd imagine] is a requirement), etc, I'd prefer not be be hit with a ****ty exchange rate on my Irish CC, that and the visa debits an extra $6 a month at my bank.

m@cc@

FreeAnd.. wrote: »

As for Debit Cards, are they still like using credit cards in positive balance? i.e. should you're card be used fraudulently you are liable rather than the banking institution?

You get less leeway than with credit cards, but if you notify within 48 hours, the liability is something like $50.

m@cc@

eringobragh wrote: »

TBH I was looking for one myself because when I rent cars (a CC [and debit card I'd imagine] is a requirement), etc, I'd prefer not be be hit with a ****ty exchange rate on my Irish CC, that and the visa debits an extra $6 a month at my bank.

The fact I charged $0.50 on every transaction at the till here as if my card was a CC pisses me off no end.

Xavi6

FreeAnd.. wrote: »

As for Debit Cards, are they still like using credit cards in positive balance? i.e. should you're card be used fraudulently you are liable rather than the banking institution?

If it is used fraudulently then you simply cancel the card and lodge a dispute. If it's under around $50 the bank will just write it off no questions asked as it would be more hassle to do a dispute. If you do a dispute there is a small initial fee which you get back if everything comes back in your favour after a fraud investigation.

FreeAnd..

any idea how long a dispute may take to resolve? For instance - say you have $40K in your debit account and for instance you are about to pay for a car or something - somehow this is obtained fraudulently - how long do you have to wait before getting access to the cash to buy your car?

There is still something about direct access to a cash account I am wary of - may be perfectly fine but i'd prefer a CC company take the hit in the interim rather than myself should i fall foul of online theft

Xavi6

4-6 weeks usually but can be up to 4 months.

FreeAnd..

Xavi6 wrote: »

4-6 weeks usually but can be up to 4 months.

thanks i think ill stick with a CC for online purchases although I may be forced down the debit card route in a month or so when my CC expires

Mellor

mandrake04 wrote: »

You wouldn't get a credit card on a WHV. Unless you commit fraud and give false information.... thats another story.

mandrake04 wrote: »

Just had another thought... Getting paid on a regular basis means nothing... you have to be in a permanent job.

I was offer a 5k loan and a CC from ANZ, separate occasions, both times on a WHV is a non permanant job, was regularly paid for 8 months plus a large opening balance.

Declined both

mandrake04

Mellor wrote: »

I was offer a 5k loan and a CC from ANZ, separate occasions, both times on a WHV is a non permanant job, was regularly paid for 8 months plus a large opening balance.

Declined both

Yes I agree it madness...

m@cc@

Mellor wrote: »

I was offer a 5k loan and a CC from ANZ, separate occasions, both times on a WHV is a non permanant job, was regularly paid for 8 months plus a large opening balance.

Declined both

:eek: **** me, what a honey trap!

hussey

here are Con banks T&C ... no link as it is on netbank

Who can apply?

You must:
* Be 18 years old or over
* Meet our credit rating requirements
*Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or have a current Australian visitor's visa

What you'll need to complete the application:

*Your gross annual income
* Your employer's details (name and address)
* Details of your own home if you have one (estimated value, amount owing on the property)
*Details of any existing loans (investment property loans, personal loans, leasing, credit and store cards)
*Any savings, investments and cheque account details (account numbers and balances)
*Asset or investment details (value of property, shares, car, furniture and other assets)

ballooba

I had to take my car loan at 13.95% this year because banks won't lend to 457 holders once you've been in the country a few weeks. Nuts.

mandrake04

ballooba wrote: »

I had to take my car loan at 13.95% this year because banks won't lend to 457 holders once you've been in the country a few weeks. Nuts.

Probably all institutions are wary because so many on WHV walked away with outstanding credit card debt.

ballooba

mandrake04 wrote: »

Probably all institutions are wary because so many on WHV walked away with outstanding credit card debt.

I'm on a 457. I would have had no problem if I had taken out the loan when I got the 457 first.

mandrake04

ballooba wrote: »

I'm on a 457. I would have had no problem if I had taken out the loan when I got the 457 first.

Should not really been a problem, a few of my friends got finance for a car on a 457.

I don't think they mentioned what visa they were on... I think it was just assumed they were PR... well they are now anyway.

Ignorance is bliss.

Still cant get over banks just offering people a Credit Card while on a WHV.... like I heard of people rorting the credit card thing and leaving without paying the money back but I just assumed that they must have lied about their status. Cant believe they would just hand money over to people who had no credit rating and no permanent intention of staying in the country.... unless they are prepared to sell the debt on to debt collectors in Ireland.

ballooba

mandrake04 wrote: »

Should not really been a problem, a few of my friends got finance for a car on a 457.

I don't think they mentioned what visa they were on... I think it was just assumed they were PR... well they are now anyway.

Ignorance is bliss.

I did get car finance, but only using the dealer as an intermediary, Comm Bank wouldn't touch me. It was one of the first questions they asked me.

mandrake04 wrote: »

Cant believe they would just hand money over to people who had no credit rating and no permanent intention of staying in the country.... unless they are prepared to sell the debt on to debt collectors in Ireland.

I may have had to wait until I had a credit rating. 3 months?