Credit card FAQs.

If you are new to Defence Bank:

1. Head over to the Defence Bank Foundation Credit Card.
2. Click on Apply now > Start New Application and follow the prompts.

If you are an existing Defence Bank Member log into Online Banking or use the Mobile App.

Online Banking.

1. Log into your Defence Bank Online Banking.
2. From the menu select Apply > Apply For Loan.
3. Input your one-time password or VIP security code.
4. Select Start New Loan and follow the prompts.

Mobile app.

1. Log in to your Defence Bank mobile app.
2. From the menu select Apply > Apply For Loan.
3. Under the menu select Products > Credit Cards where you will be redirected to the Defence Bank Credit Card page on our website.
4. Select Apply now > Start New Application and follow the prompts.

You can activate your card through Online Banking or the Mobile App.

Mobile app.

1. Log into your Mobile app.
2. Under the menu select Manage Accounts > Manage Cards.
3. Select the card you wish to activate and follow the prompts.

Online Banking.

1. Log into your Defence Bank Online Banking.
2. Select Services > Card Management.
3. Input your one-time password or VIP security code.
4. Select the card you wish to activate and follow the prompts.

Alternatively, you can call our Contact Centre on 1800 033 139 or visit us in-branch to activate your new card.

You can cancel your credit or debit card through either Online Banking or the Defence Bank mobile app.

Online Banking.

Select Services > Card Management, then select the card you wish to report and follow the prompts.

Mobile app.

Select Manage Accounts > Manage Cards, then select the card you wish to report and follow the prompts.

You can then order a replacement card within the mobile app and be issued with a virtual card which you can add to your digital wallet and use immediately. This removes the stress and inconvenience of having to wait until a physical card arrives in the mail.

Alternatively, you can contact us and we can block your card and arrange a new one for you.

Yes. You can apply for a credit card with Defence Bank to pay out an existing credit card with another financial institution. This could allow you to better manage your repayments with a lower interest rate.

If you would like to talk to us about transferring your credit card balance simply visit one of our branches or call us on 1800 033 139.

No, unlike many other banks that may charge a percentage of between 1-3% of the balance transferred, Defence Bank does not impose a fee for Balance Transfers.

An additional cardholder will first need to be made a signatory on your credit card account, once this is done they can be issued with a credit card linked to your credit card account.

Drop into your local branch or call us on 1800 033 139 to get the process underway.

No, there are no fees for an additional cardholder.

If you need to remove access by an additional cardholder please visit us in-branch or contact us on 1800 033 139 for assistance.

To increase your credit card limit, we will need you to complete a new application so that we can obtain some up-to-date information from you. You can log into Online Banking or use the Mobile App to lodge your application.

Online Banking.

1. Log into your Defence Bank Online Banking.
2. From the menu select Apply > Apply For Loan.
3. Input your one-time password or VIP security code.
4. Select Start New Loan and follow the prompts.

Mobile app.

1. Log in to your Defence Bank mobile app.
2. From the menu select Apply > Apply For Loan.
3. Under the menu select Products > Credit Cards where you will be redirected to the Defence Bank Credit Card page on our website.
4. Select Apply now > Start New Application and follow the prompts.

Tip: When applying for an increase to your limit, during the application make sure you select the total amount of your new card, not the amount you would like it to be increased by.

You are able to request a reduction or cancellation of your credit card limit through either Online Banking or the Defence Bank mobile app. You can also visit us in-branch and we’d be happy to help.

Online Banking.

1. Select Services > Card Management.
2. Input your one-time password or VIP security code.
3. Select Reduce Limit or Close Credit Card next to the relevant credit card and follow the prompts.

Mobile app.

1. Under the main menu select Manage Accounts > Manage Cards.
2. Click on the credit card you wish to reduce or cancel the limit on.
3. Select Reduce credit limit or Cancel card as required and follow the prompts.

Paying your credit card can be done in several ways, but the easiest by far is through Online Banking or our mobile app.

If paying from another Defence Bank account.

1. Log into your app or Online Banking portal.
2. Select Pay > Transfer.
3. Select the account you would like to transfer from and the credit card as the account to transfer to you would like to pay.
4. Follow the prompts to make payment.

If paying from another financial institution.

1. Create a PayID for your credit card account, then use that payID when transferring funds from another financial institution.
2. You can also use our BSB 833 205 and your nine digit credit card account number to transfer payment from another financial institution.
   Of course you can always deposit funds over the counter at any Defence Bank branch.

If you don’t recognise a transaction on your account, use our “Look Who’s Charging” feature.

1. If you are in the mobile app simply tap the transaction you need further information about.
2. If you are in Online Banking click on the red ellipsis (ie. '…').
3. Look Who’s Charging will display extended transaction information including the exact address, trading or business name (which can be different to the merchant name), merchant contact details and for some transactions a map showing the location.

If you are still unsure the transaction, call us on 1800 033 139, visit your local branch, send us a Secure Message or use the Contact Us form for further assistance.

Warning: Please DO NOT send sensitive information such as login details and passwords over email.

If your card expires 09/20 this means that it will expire at the end of September, with a new card automatically sent to you midway through that month. You don’t need to do anything other than making sure that your postal address listed with Defence Bank is correct.

Your virtual card in your digital wallet card will automatically refresh with your new card details however if this does not happen please call us on 1800 033 139.

Our cards expire at the end of the month as shown on your card. Renewal cards are sent in the first week of that month to ensure they reach you in time. If you haven’t received your renewal card, please give us a call on 1800 033 139 so that we can check on it for you.

This is easy. You can now update your PIN without knowing your old PIN through Online Banking or your mobile app.

Online Banking.

1. Log into your Online Banking portal.
2. Select Services > Card Management.
3. Enter your one-time password or VIP security code.
4. Select the card you wish to change PIN and click Change PIN and foloow the prompts.

Mobile app.

1. Log in to your mobile app.
2. Under the menu, select Manage Accounts > Manage Cards.
3. Select the card you would like to update and click Change PIN and follow the prompts.
   
   

A credit card cash advance is when you withdraw funds from your credit card account. This may be via ATM, across the counter in Branch or transferring funds using Online Banking or the mobile app. Transactions like bill payments at Australia Post Office outlets may also be processed as cash advances.

To view our current credit card interest rates click here. 

Interest starts to accrue from the date of the cash advance and will be charged to your account at the end of the month.

Yes, there’s a six month introductory interest rate for first-time Defence Bank Foundation Credit Card applicants. See our current interest rates.

Find out more.

Absolutely, your Visa debit and Credit cards can be used with Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, Google and Samsung Pays. You can set your cards up through the Defence Bank app, or directly through your device’s digital wallet.

Click here for set up instructions.

While the True Blue credit card is no longer available for new applications all existing cardholders can continue to use their credit cards as normal.

Yes please - our fraud team are monitoring transactions for suspect and unusual activity 24/7.

Log in to your account using the Mobile App and selecting Overseas Travel from the menu.

Then select Your Travel Plans. Record your travel dates, destinations and contact details just in case we need to contact you to confirm any transactions while you are away.

Of course you can always call us on 1800 033 139 or visit your local branch to give us details of your travel plans.

A common misconception is that 55 days “interest-free” means that you will have 55 days to pay off a card purchase before any interest is charged.

However; 55 days interest-free refers to the maximum number of interest-free days that are available on a purchase. To attain the full 55 days interest-free, a purchase would need to be made on the first day of your statement period.

For example, if your statement commences on 1 March and you make a purchase on this day, you will have 55 days or until 24 April to repay that amount before you are charged interest starting 25 April on any outstanding amounts. Alternatively, if you receive your statement 1 March but you make a purchase on 10 March, you will only have 45 days to make payment before you are charged interest from the 25 April.

Read more about how your credit card interest-free period works.

3% of the outstanding balance or $10, whichever is greater.

The minimum monthly repayment on a credit card is the lowest amount you are required to pay to meet your credit card contract. By paying this amount on the payment due date, you'll avoid late fees, maintain a good repayment history, but you will still pay interest on the remaining amount owing. You should always try and pay more than the minimum amount so your credit card balance is paid off quicker and less interest is accrued.

For example, if you owe a balance of $1100 on your credit card with the minimum monthly repayment being $25, you will pay interest on the remaining $1075.

Find out more about how the minimum repayment amount works.

Absolutely. We encourage all cardholders to try and make the full repayment on their credit card balance each month so they do not accrue interest on any outstanding balances.

Find out more about how the minimum repayment amount works.

If you withdrew funds from an ATM, across the counter in Branch or transferred funds out of your Credit Card account using Online Banking or the mobile app, then interest will accrue from the date of the transaction. There is no interest free period on any cash advance transactions.

Interest will also start accruing where the balance has not been paid off in full by the due date on your last statement.

Making extra repayments on your credit card is always a good thing. This means you will accrue less interest and pay off your credit card quicker.

Use our Credit Card Repayment Calculator to see how fast you can pay off your credit card.

Sometimes things happen that are out of our control. If you need a little extra help contact us 1800 773 158 or email membercare@defencebank.com.au to see how we can help you.

Switching to eStatements is a great choice to help our environment. Here’s how you can make the switch yourself.

Online Banking.

1. Log in to Online Banking.
2. Select Settings > Manage eCommunications.
3. Enter your one-time password or VIP security code.
4. Click on Manage eStatements which will expand options for registering (or deregistering) for eStatements.
5. Once your eStatement preferences have been made, and acknowledgement ticked, click Save. 

Mobile app.

1. Log into your Mobile app.
2. Under the menu select Manage Accounts > Manage eStatements
3. Enter your PIN to continue.
4. Click on eStatements which expand options for registering (or deregistering) for eStatements.
5. Once your eStatement preferences have been made, and acknowledgement ticked, click Save.

Alternatively, you can call 1800 033 139 or visit any Defence Bank branch, and we can organise the switch for you.

There is an annual fee of $45, half of which is donated to the Defence Bank Foundation, and other fees such as declined transaction, dishonour and late payment fees.

You can find a full list of fees by scrolling down to the ‘Rates and fees’ section on the Defence Bank Foundation Credit Card page.

The annual fee is $45. Half of this fee ($22.50) is donated to the Defence Bank Foundation which supports the Defence Community Dogs program. This is our way of saying thank you and supporting our veterans.

Learn more about the Defence Bank Foundation.

We reward our credit card holders with one of the lowest interest rates on the market and give half of the $45 annual fee to the Defence Bank Foundation.

Learn more about the Defence Bank Foundation.

Australia’s Defence Bank Foundation is an independent charity established to help injured, wounded and disadvantaged serving and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families.

All funds raised are used to run The Defence Community Dog's program - a program that provides Assistance Dogs to veterans suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and related conditions.

Learn more about the Defence Bank Foundation.

To avoid your account going over its limit or falling back into arrears in the future, we strongly suggest that you set up a regular transfer for your credit card. To do this simply login to the Defence Bank app and:

1. In the top left-hand menu, choose Pay.
2. Select Transfer.
3. Select the From and To accounts.
4. On the following screen, you will see a calendar icon in the upper right-hand corner.
5. Select Recurring.
6. Select the first payment date (prior to the due date of the 24th of each month).
7. Select if it is to be an ongoing payment, or a set amount of payments.
8. Press Set Schedule which will return you to the previous screen where you can update the amount.
9. Select an amount.
10. Enter a description if required.
11. Select Schedule Transfer.

A pre-authorisation hold on your credit card is not an actual debit. It's a request by the merchant for the amount to be held (similar to a pre-authorisation request for the amount of a purchase), pending the merchant processing a transaction for the amount of the pre-authorisation, or a lesser amount, on your card. This pre-authorisation guarantees that you have the funds available in your account to cover the final transaction amount.

For example, merchants may estimate the cost of your bill and ask you to provide a card as a guarantee. This amount may be larger than your final amount because the merchant wants to cover any potential losses (for example, if you damage a rental car). The real charge will go through after you complete the transaction.