How to use your first debit card

A debit card is a card that’s linked to your everyday transaction account. It lets you easily access your own money from the account at an ATM or when shopping.

NAB Debit Card

A NAB Debit Card is available to customers between the age of 8 and 13 years. This card allows you to withdraw money from your account at an ATM. You can make purchases at shops using EFTPOS, but you can’t shop online or add the card to your digital wallet. 

You can apply for a NAB Debit Card by visiting a branch.

 NAB Visa Debit card

A NAB Visa Debit card is available to customers aged 14 years and older. With this card you can:

• withdraw from or deposit into your account at an ATM
• make purchases at shops
• shop online
• add the card to your digital wallet.

If you’re 14 or older you can apply online for a NAB Visa Debit card.

When you’re shopping in-store with your debit card you’ll either need to insert, swipe or tap it, depending on the type of EFTPOS machine the store uses. You can also set up your NAB Visa Debit card in your digital wallet and pay by tapping your phone, in addition to making contactless cash withdrawals and balance enquiries at NAB ATMs.

If you have a part-time or after-school job, you can give your employer your bank account details so they can deposit your pay into your transaction account. Then you can use your debit card to:

• shop online or in-store
• withdraw or deposit cash at an ATM
• send and receive money via the NAB app or Internet Banking, opens in new window
• use tap and pay services like Apple Pay or Google Pay. 

Read our online help guides to learn more about using internet banking and managing your debit card in the NAB app. 

With a debit card, you’re spending your own money. You can only spend what’s in your transaction account. 

A credit card is a way to borrow money or get ‘credit’ from a bank, which gives you funds up to an agreed limit. You can spend up to that agreed limit, but you have to pay the money back by the due date. If you don’t, you’ll be charged interest and other fees may apply. You must be at least 18 years old and meet other eligibility criteria to apply for a credit card. 

When you’re using your debit card in-person or online, follow these tips. 

• Sign the back of your new card as soon as you get it.
• When setting up your PIN, don’t use numbers that are easy to guess, like your birthday .
• Never write down or share your PIN with anyone. This also applies to your passwords for internet banking and your devices used to make payments, like smartphones and wearables.
• Don’t let other people use your card and treat your device like your wallet – always keep it close. 
• Always cover the keypad on an ATM or EFTPOS machine when entering your PIN
• Keep your receipts and regularly check your transactions in the NAB app to make sure you’re being charged correctly.

Using your NAB Visa Debit card safely online

You can shop online with your NAB Visa Debit card by entering the card number, expiry date and CVV.  

• Always be careful when entering your card details online. 
• Read the fine print and make sure you’re not accidentally signing up for subscriptions or future payments.
• If you’re shopping on overseas websites, be aware you may be charged an international transaction fee.

Learn more about how to safely shop online.

If you lose your card or see a suspicious transaction in your account:

• Block your card immediately in the NAB app or Internet Banking. Learn how to block your card on your iPhone or Android phone^TM. 
• Call us on 13 22 65.