How to Meet Credit Card Minimum Spend Requirements in Australia

Published on 1/3/2026

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Most credit card sign-up bonuses require you to spend a minimum amount within the first 3 months. A typical offer might require $3,000 in 90 days to unlock 100,000 bonus points.

The key is to hit this target with spending you'd do anyway—not to buy things you don't need. Here are practical strategies for meeting minimum spend requirements in Australia.

1. Pay Your ATO Tax Bill

If you have an income tax bill, BAS payment, or superannuation contribution due, this is often the easiest way to knock out thousands in minimum spend.

Use a service like Sniip to pay your tax bill with a credit card and earn full points. The fee is typically 1.29-1.75% depending on your card type.

A $5,000 tax bill could instantly meet most minimum spend requirements.

2. Prepay Insurance Premiums

Instead of paying monthly, switch to annual payments for:

Health insurance (6-12 months upfront)
Car insurance
Home and contents insurance

Many insurers offer discounts for annual payment—sometimes 5-10% off—so you save money while hitting your spend target.

A family with health, car, and home insurance could easily put $3,000-$5,000 on a card this way.

3. Buy Gift Cards for Future Purchases

If you know you'll shop at certain stores, buy gift cards now:

Woolworths/Coles gift cards – Use for groceries over the coming months
JB Hi-Fi – If you're planning to buy electronics
Bunnings – For home improvement projects
Amazon – Load credit to your account

You can often buy these at supermarkets, earning bonus flybuys or Everyday Rewards points on top.

Important: Only buy gift cards for stores where you'd spend anyway. Don't let them expire unused.

4. Pay Council Rates

Most councils let you pay rates via BPAY. Use Sniip to pay with your credit card.

Quarterly rates of $400-$800 add up. Some people pay the full year upfront to maximise spend in one hit.

5. Prepay Utility Bills

Electricity, gas, and water bills can be overpaid. Pay extra now, and you'll have credit on your account for future bills.

You can also use Sniip to pay these via BPAY with your credit card.

6. Time Big Purchases

If you're planning to buy:

New furniture
Appliances
A new phone or laptop
Holiday flights

Apply for your credit card before making these purchases. Time your application around known upcoming expenses.

7. Pay for Others (and Get Reimbursed)

Group dinners – Put the whole bill on your card, get cash from friends
Work expenses – If your employer reimburses travel or supplies, pay with your personal card first
Family purchases – Help parents or siblings buy something and have them transfer you the money

Make sure you actually get reimbursed before relying on this strategy.

8. Make Charity Donations

Donations to registered charities count toward minimum spend and are often tax-deductible.

If you were planning to donate anyway, put it on your new card during the bonus period.

What Doesn't Count as Eligible Spend?

Be careful—not everything counts. Common exclusions include:

Balance transfers
Cash advances
Money orders or prepaid cards (sometimes)
Gambling transactions
Some BPAY payments (check your card's terms)

Read your card's terms and conditions carefully. Point Hacks has a guide on eligible purchases.

Important Warnings

Never spend more than you normally would – The goal is to redirect existing spending, not create new expenses. Interest charges will destroy any bonus value.
Always pay your balance in full – If you can't pay off the spend, don't apply for the card.
Verify you've met the requirement – Call your bank before the deadline to confirm. Point Hacks recommends always confirming your minimum spend.
Check exclusion periods – Most banks won't give you the bonus again for 12-18 months after cancelling. See Australian Frequent Flyer's guide on sign-up bonuses.
Consider your credit score – Each application appears on your credit file. If you're applying for a mortgage soon, be cautious. See Australian Frequent Flyer's article on churning and credit ratings.

Planning Ahead

The best approach is to plan your card applications around natural spending cycles:

January/February – Health insurance renewals, back-to-school costs
March/April – Annual insurance renewals, tax time approaching
July – End of financial year expenses
October/November – Christmas shopping, holiday bookings

Bottom Line

Meeting minimum spend requirements doesn't have to mean overspending. By strategically timing card applications and redirecting existing expenses—taxes, insurance, bills, and planned purchases—you can hit the target without breaking your budget.

The bonus points are the reward for spending you'd do anyway.