COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
American Express has limited reach in Australia
Among credit card operators, American Express was the fastest-growing in terms of retail spend using a credit card in 2025. Users of American Express cards are typically more affluent due to the higher annual fees associated with them.
CBA credit card issue sees increase in 2025
The fastest-growing issuer of credit cards in terms of retail spend in 2024 is CBA, followed closely by the National Australia Bank Group. CBA has the largest customer base of credit cardholders in Australia, which is one of the main factors behind its strong retail spend performance in 2024.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Credit Card Transactions industry in Australia with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
If you're in the Credit Card Transactions industry in Australia, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Credit Card Transactions in Australia report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Credit Card Transactions in Australia?
- What are the major trends key to understanding Credit Card Transactions in Australia?
- How has COVID-19, recession and macroeconomic volatility impacted the market?
- How long will the market take to recover? What are the opportunities now?
- How will political context and shifting cultural values shape future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Charge Cards in Australia - Category analysis
Charge Cards in Australia - Company Profile
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Lack of interest and high spending limits attract business users
Declining number of cards in circulation in 2025
Transactions increase thanks to interest-free higher spending limits
Unique positioning of charge cards will ensure steady growth over the forecast period
Central bank contemplating removal of card payment surcharges
Diner’s Club exit highlights challenging conditions for new products
American Express is the primary operator and issuer after Diner’s Club's exit
Charge cards is mature with no competition and limited innovation
Credit Cards in Australia - Category analysis
Credit Cards in Australia - Company Profile
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Rewards and loyalty programs used to drive growth
Credit card usage continues to grow despite declining number of issued cards
Major players leverage strong position despite growth of American Express
Credit cards in circulation set to continue dwindling as younger consumers avoid perceived debt traps
Australia’s central bank calls for the removal of card payment surcharging
Travel-focused benefits set to continue driving success of American Express in Australia
American Express has limited reach in Australia
CBA credit card issue sees increase in 2025
Debit Cards in Australia - Category analysis
Debit Cards in Australia - Company Profile
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Debit cards benefit from being seen as low risk
Debit cards continue to experience an increase in usage as a key payment method
Move towards cashless society benefits debit cards in particular
Debit card usage expected to see growth, with consumer spending forecast to increase
Reserve Bank of Australia recommends removal of surcharges on card payments
Feature-focused innovation to remain the focus of major banks
Major banks continue to consolidate position by focusing on consumer needs
Mastercard debit cards enjoys growth in 2025
Pre-Paid Cards in Australia - Category analysis
Pre-Paid Cards in Australia - Company Profile
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Gifting and public transportation use boost card numbers
Pre-paid cards maintain steady growth with high usage of gift cards and travel cards
Transactions increase in 2025 in both open- and closed-loop pre-paid cards
Positive forecast with consumer habits expected to remain consistent
State governments to roll out bank card payment options for public transportation
Competitive landscape of pre-paid travel cards limited for new players
Spending on gift cards and travel cards driving brand performance
CBA gains by offering pre-paid travel card with numerous benefits
Store Cards in Australia - Category analysis
Store Cards in Australia - Company Profile
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Fuel cards offer bright spot
Steady usage of store cards among existing users despite decline in cards issued
Multitude of payment options makes store cards less relevant
Store card usage forecast to see steady growth, but fewer cards will be in circulation
Limited scope for innovation, with consumers having strict payment preferences
Co-branded credit cards are a more attractive route for store card providers
Financial Cards and Payments in Australia - Industry Overview
BNPL poses challenge to credit cards
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Steady flow of new debit cards offsets decline in cards in circulation in other categories
Cautious consumer behaviour impacts overall spending
Increasing proportion of consumers make remote card payments
Debit cards will remain a key payment method in the years ahead
Cash payments will likely continue to decline
Ban on card surcharges on the horizon
‘Big Four’ banks maintain their dominance in 2025
Visa remains the largest issuer, but Qantas sees rapid growth
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Credit Card Transactions
- Commercial Credit Card Transactions
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- Average Personal Credit Card Balance
- Average Personal Credit Card Limit
- Personal Credit Card Utilisation
Credit Card Transactions
Credit cards allow for purchases against a preapproved line of credit. The account holder has the choice of whether to pay off the entire balance each month or opt for monthly instalments with the balance serving as revolving credit. If the cardholder decides to revolve a balance, the consumer pays interest. Credit cards can include affinity cards, reward cards and types of co-branded cards. Co-branded retailer cards—issued by retailers acting as financial institutions and without usage restrictions—are included in this category. Cards issued by a retailer with usage limited to a specific store within a predefined retail group fall under the store cards definition. Debit cards with an overdraft function are not counted as cards with a credit function. Payments are tracked based on the country of residence / account issuance and include outbound spend while excluding inbound spend.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
This report originates from Passport, our Credit Card Transactions research and analysis database.
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