Best business debit cards in Australia: Features, fees, and how they work

Managing business expenses isn’t simple. With multiple payments going out each week, from suppliers to software, it’s easy for costs to get messy or mix with personal spending. Business debit cards can be a big help, but choosing the right one is not always easy.

In this guide, we’ll break down what business debit cards are, why they matter for Aussie businesses, and the benefits and pitfalls of using one. We’ll also cover some of the main business debit card options in Australia in 2025, along with their key features and fees.

Table of contents
What is a business debit card? How it works Benefits Suitable for personal expenses? Top 5 business debit cards in Australia Considerations when choosing Finding the right debit card for your business

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What is a business debit card?

A business debit card works much like a personal debit card, but instead of being tied to your own account, it’s linked to your business account. That means all spending comes directly from company funds, which makes it easy to keep personal and business finances separate. Unlike a credit card, you’re limited to the money already in the account, so there’s no debt or interest to manage.

Different Australian businesses will use business debit cards in different ways. Retailers and service businesses often use business debit cards to pay suppliers, restock inventory, and handle day-to-day expenses. Agencies, startups, and SMEs rely on them for ad spend, software subscriptions, renting workspaces, and travel. Larger firms, including those in construction or global trade, may issue cards to staff for fuel, materials, or overseas supplier payments.

How business debit cards work

When you open a business account with a bank or fintech, it typically comes with at least one and often multiple debit cards associated with the account. Each payment is directly drawn from the account, and if you’re doing so in an alternative currency, some providers will convert it for you (usually with a small charge). Every transaction is logged, and many cards now include extras to help you manage expenses like real-time spend tracking, virtual cards, and spending limits.

Benefits of using a business debit card

With a business debit card, you can:

• Track expenses in real time and keep spending visible.
• Set limits and issue virtual cards for employees to manage costs better.
• Spend only what’s in the account, unlike credit cards, no borrowed funds, interest, or late fees.
• Avoid overdraft charges and keep finances predictable.
• Pay overseas suppliers using multi-currency options to cut conversion costs.
• Maintain steady cash flow while handling both local and international payments.

Can business debit cards be used for personal expenses

It’s possible to use a business debit card for personal purchases, but mixing expenses creates a number of problems:

• Bookkeeping becomes messy: The Australian Taxation Office (ATO)¹ requires accurate records for business transactions. Mixing personal and business spending makes it harder to demonstrate which costs are genuine business expenses.
• Cash flow is unclear: Mixing personal and business spending might make cash flow look messy, which can throw off budgets and planning.
• Tax reporting is complicated: At tax time or during an ATO audit, separating personal purchases can potentially slow down reporting and might increase the risk of mistakes in GST or deductions.
• Bank terms may be affected: Many Australian banks specify that business accounts and their linked debit cards are to be used for business purposes only. Using them for personal spending may breach account conditions.

Best practice is to use separate cards for business and personal spending. If a personal charge slips through, pay it back quickly, set limits or virtual cards for staff, and review accounts often to keep records clear and tax time easy.

Top 5 business debit cards in Australia

Wise Business debit card:

The Wise Business debit card is linked to the Wise multi-currency account, which supports more than 40+ currencies and can be used in over 150+ countries. Businesses can order both physical and digital cards, and issue additional cards to team members so that company expenses are consolidated under a single account rather than spread across personal cards.

Five key features of Wise Business debit cards:

1. Free spending when paying from a currency in the same currency.
2. Automatic conversion at the real mid-market exchange rate if money in the local currency is unavailable.
3. Instant transaction notifications to track spending in real time.
4. Controls to set spending limits and freeze or unfreeze cards as needed.
5. Multiple team cards supported under one business account.

Fees and other costs:

• A small fee or balance top-up may be required to order a physical card.
• Currency conversion fees apply when spending in a currency not held in the account (starts from around 0.63%)².
• One-time fee of 65 AUD setup fee to activate the Wise Business account with local details².
• Digital cards are available free of charge.
• Two free ATM withdrawals are available per month up to a set limit; standard ATM fees apply after that.
• Replacement of a lost or damaged card incurs a fee³.

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Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) Business Visa debit card

The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) Business Visa debit card is linked to ANZ business accounts such as Business Essentials and Business Extra. It lets businesses spend their own funds for purchases and withdrawals in Australia or overseas, wherever Visa is accepted. The card also supports online payments, contactless purchases, and global ATM access.

Five key features of ANZ Business Visa debit cards

1. Use your own money to pay for business expenses online, over the phone, in-store, or overseas, wherever Visa is accepted.
2. Withdraw cash at ATMs across the world, anywhere the Visa symbol is displayed.
3. Protection through ANZ Falcon™, ANZ Fraud Money Back Guarantee, and Visa Zero Liability.
4. Tap-and-pay functionality with compatible smartphones and wearable devices, plus Visa payWave for fast contactless payments.
5. Choice of three card colours, embossed with the business name⁴.

Fees and other costs

• Available at no extra cost when linked to an ANZ Business Essentials or Business Extra account⁴.
• A daily cash withdrawal limit of $2,500 applies for security and fraud protection⁵.
• Lost or damaged card replacement may incur a small fee.
• 3% International transaction fee applies to purchases made in currencies other than AUD⁶.

National Australia Bank (NAB) Business Visa debit card

The National Australia Bank (NAB) Business Visa debit card links directly to a NAB business account, giving companies access to their own funds without using personal or credit cards. It can be used in Australia and overseas wherever Visa is accepted, and supports contactless payments, mobile wallets, and ATM withdrawals. This makes it a practical tool for managing everyday business expenses with predictable costs.

Five key features of NAB Business Visa debit cards

1. 24/7 access and account control through the NAB app, with payments made directly through the NAB Business Visa debit card.
2. Extra security with Online Secure and free Unauthorised Transaction Insurance.
3. Accepted worldwide anywhere Visa works, for local and overseas payments.
4. Track and share expenses easily using smart receipts in the NAB app.
5. Supports fast mobile payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Fees and other costs

• No monthly card fee.
• $0 ATM withdrawal fee at NAB ATMs in Australia.
• 3% international transaction fee applies to purchases made in foreign currencies or overseas⁷

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) Business Visa debit card

The CBA Business Visa debit card links to a CBA business account, giving direct access to company funds. It is accepted in-store, online, and overseas, supports mobile wallets, and offers real-time monitoring through NetBank and the CommBank app for efficient expense management.

Five key features of CBA Business Visa debit cards

1. The CBA Business Visa debit card gives businesses global access to funds, usable anywhere Visa is accepted: online, in-store, or over the phone.
2. Flexibility is a strong point, with options to pay using the physical card, a digital CommBank card, or mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
3. Security is built in through card controls in the CommBank app, allowing businesses to manage how and where the card is used.
4. Fraud protection measures help safeguard against unauthorised use, giving businesses added peace of mind.
5. Extra value comes from access to discounts and business deals via CBA’s partner network.

CBA Business Visa debit card fees and other costs

• It’s free to order a CBA Business Visa debit card.
• No monthly fee applies specifically to the card.
• Fees and charges may apply on the linked business account (e.g., Business Transaction Account has a $0 or $10 monthly fee depending on the plan)⁸.

Westpac Business Debit Mastercard

The Westpac Business Debit Mastercard links directly to a business bank account, giving companies a simple way to pay for purchases and withdraw funds without relying on credit. It can be used in Australia and overseas wherever Mastercard is accepted, and supports contactless and mobile wallet payments. With added security features, global ATM access, and options for additional cardholders, it’s built to help businesses manage day-to-day spending more easily.

Five key features of the Westpac Business Debit Mastercard

1. Use worldwide wherever Mastercard is accepted, spending directly from the business account.
2. Issue full or limited cards to employees and track transactions on one statement.
3. 24/7 fraud monitoring with Westpac’s Fraud Money Back Guarantee.
4. Supports contactless and mobile payments via Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Garmin Pay.
5. Instantly lock or block the card through Westpac Online Banking or the app.

Fees and other costs

• Withdraw cash globally through the Global ATM Alliance and partner ATMs, with no Westpac overseas withdrawal fee.
• No annual fee for using the Business Debit Mastercard, though other account-related charges may apply.⁹
• All transactions (including those processed as “credit” via EFTPOS) count toward the monthly transaction allowance or limit on the linked account.

Considerations when choosing a business debit card

When choosing a business debit card, businesses should think through several factors. Below are key considerations:

• Account requirements: Some cards need a specific business account or an ABN/ACN, so check eligibility first.
• Fees: Watch for extras like ATM, international, replacement, or staff-assisted transaction fees.
• Team controls: The debit card should allow you to issue team cards and track who’s spending what.
• Security features: It is important to look for features such as fraud monitoring and instant lock/unlock in order to make your money safer.
• Accounting software integrations: debit cards that integrate with accounting software will save you time come tax season.
• Multi-currency and FX: For businesses multi-currency support in a debit card is an added benefit and a low FX fees can reduce the financial strain during overseas payments.
• Rewards: Check for cashbacks, discounts, or offers that come with the card.

Finding the right business debit card for your needs

Every business spends differently. It is important you analyse whether costs are local or international, how often cards are used, and how many employees need access before making a decision. It is also important to weigh priorities like fees, convenience, and support, and to review regularly, as features and costs can change.

Wise Business is one option worth noting for companies that deal internationally. Its debit card supports 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate, helping reduce conversion costs. With team cards, spending limits, and real-time tracking in one account, it’s designed to make cross-border payments simpler and more transparent.

Simplify how your team manages international expenses. Wise Business debit cards offer a straightforward and efficient solution for spending and withdrawing funds across the globe.

• Provide your team with contactless international business debit cards for spending in 150+ countries
• Get the first Wise debit card for free with a Wise Business account
• Enjoy zero foreign transaction fees, no subscription fees, and free standard delivery
• Make 2 free monthly withdrawals of up to 350 AUD per account
• Experience currency conversion at the mid-market rate with transparent fees from 0.63%

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This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you.

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Sources:

1. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO)- Record Keeping for Businesses
2. WISE Setup fees and conversion fee
3. WISE Card fee, replacement fee, ATM withdrawal
4. ANZ features and debit card cost
5. ANZ withdrawal limit
6. ANZ International transaction fee
7. NAB features and fee structure
8. CBA key features and price
9. Westpac key features and price