Change your credit limit

Needs and circumstances change. Which is why you can apply to increase or decrease your credit limit at any time.

You might be after an increase if you need an additional buffer (say, for travel), are making a large purchase or, if you have a rewards card, to earn more points. Alternatively, you might want to decrease your limit to help you manage your spending more closely.

If you have a personal credit card, this page will take you through the steps to do either.

To manage your business credit card limit, visit our business page.

Decreasing your credit limit

To help you control how you use your card, you can choose to decrease your credit limit at any time, through Westpac Online Banking or the mobile app.

Alternatively, call 1300 651 089 or visit your nearest branch.

To decrease your limit:

your credit account cannot be blocked
you mustn’t owe more than the new lower limit on your card
you can’t decrease your limit more than the minimum credit limit for your card as shown in the table
means you’ll have a permanent lower limit. You would then need to apply for a credit limit increase in order to increase that limit again at a later date.

Increasing your credit limit

To get a credit limit increase you'll need to apply. That's because the bank will in-effect be lending you more money.

If you have online banking, you can request a credit card limit increase online.

If you're on a desktop device, select 'Service' and look for the 'Increase credit card limit' option. If you're on a mobile device, select your card, then the 'Services' menu.

Request an increase Request an increase

Alternatively, call 1300 651 089 or visit your nearest branch.

While having an increased credit limit can give you more flexibility, there are other things to consider along the way:

Even if you’re not using that bigger limit, your records will show you have a higher level of lending. That could impact your ability to take out other loans (e.g. for a house). If you’re increasing the limit for a specific event, like travel, you could look to decrease it again afterwards.
For some people, there will be the temptation to spend more – which will make it harder to pay back.
If you do spend more but don’t repay the full amount at the end of the month, that could mean you’ll have more interest to pay.

Before you apply to increase your credit limit

Even though you’re already with us, if you’re applying for an increase you’ll need to consider:

Make sure you’re eligible to apply

You have a regular, verifiable Australian taxable income.
You have a fixed, verifiable residential address in Australia.
You haven’t been declined for a credit limit increase in the past 6 months.

Review your credit history

You’ll be assessed on your ability to repay the money you borrow. Three things you can do to help:

Make sure you’re meeting your current repayment obligations for
- other credit cards or loans (including lenders such as afterpay and zip pay)
- rent as well as utilities such as your phone, internet and electricity.

2. Check the details on your credit report are correct before applying. Head to CreditSmart.org.au and follow the links to a free credit report. More about credit reports.

3. Don’t make multiple applications (with us or any other lender). Every application is listed as an enquiry on your credit report. Too many can be seen as a red flag and reduce your chances of approval.

Get your documents ready

Make sure you have everything in the list below:

Current debts in your name (e.g. home loan, personal loans, other credit or store cards as well as instalment purchases such as zip pay)
Proof of income. If your pay doesn’t already go into a Westpac account, you’ll need to show at least one of the following:
Two most recent consecutive payslips from your main employer that are less than 60 days old
A Government Authority statement from the last two months confirming your pension or allowance
Rental income proof covering the last three months
Self-employed? You’ll need to show you’ve been in business for at least 18 months, the last two months’ business bank statements and last year’s Notice of Assessment.

All your regular monthly expenses (including phone bills, insurances etc.)
Your frequent flyer number (if applying for an Altitude Qantas or Altitude Velocity card)
If you want to transfer the balance of another account or credit card, we’ll need those details too.

If you’re already a Westpac customer, you’ll also need to:

Sign into online banking to double-check your personal details (name, address etc) are up-to-date
Apply as an existing customer in the application form
We will have answered some of the basic questions such as personal details (name, address etc) on your application for you. Check that they’re correct.

Additional eligibility criteria or documentation may be required.

Minimum and maximum credit limits

Card name	Minimum limit	Maximum limit
Altitude Black and Earth Black credit cards	$15,000	$75,000
Altitude Platinum credit card	$6,000	$50,000
Altitude Platinum Plus credit card	$8,000	$75,000
Earth Platinum Plus credit card	$8,000	$50,000
All Gold credit cards	$5,000	$30,000
Ignite credit cards	$2,000	$25,000
All other Platinum credit cards	$6,000	$50,000
Student credit card	$300	$1,000
Westpac Lite card	$1,000	$20,000
Flex Card (limit is fixed)	$1,000	$1,000
Low Rate card	$500	$50,000
Other personal credit cards	$500	$50,000

Things you should know

Westpac’s lending policies and guidelines are designed to ensure we lend responsibly. Before applying to increase your credit limit, please make sure you’re comfortable with the higher monthly payments and higher credit limit.

To manage your credit card, just remember these two simple rules:

a. Always aim to pay off more than your monthly minimum amount as making minimum payments is not an effective way to manage your credit card debt.

b. Make sure your credit limit is realistic. Call us on 1300 651 089 (8am and 8pm, Mon to Fri) if you want to reduce your credit limit, and it’ll be effective immediately.

There are sometimes reasons, such as job loss or illness, that could lead even the most responsible borrower into temporary financial difficulty. If you find yourself in this position, just call us on 1800 067 497 (overseas +61 8 8177 6184), 8:30am - 7:30pm Monday to Friday, 9:30am - 6:00pm Saturday (Sydney time).

Terms and Conditions: Credit criteria apply. We’ll write to you within 20 days of receiving your application to confirm any changes to your credit limit. We reserve the right to decline your credit limit increase application including where your application is incomplete or where your card account is not in order.

The information on our website is prepared without knowing your personal financial circumstances. Before you act on this, please consider if it's right for you.

If your card account was opened before 4 June 2012, a fee will be charged in accordance with your credit contract every time you exceed your credit limit during a statement cycle.