Are you in the market for a new credit card? If so, you might opt to use an online credit card application to get a quick response (especially if you compare credit cards online to begin with). Do you know what kind of information you need to have on-hand to fill out one of those online applications?

In most cases credit card companies will tell you what information you need on the first page on their online applications. But we want to save you even more time so you can apply as soon as you find an offer that looks right for you.

What You Need Before Applying for a Credit Card Online

We looked at the information requirements for three credit cards: the Aussie MasterCard, the NAB Gold card, and the Westpac 55 Day credit card. Based on those cards, here are some of the most common pieces of information you’ll need at your fingertips.

• Your yearly and / or monthly income (sometimes specifically after-tax income numbers)
• Your Australian driver’s licence number
• Your employer’s name, address, and phone number
• The name and contact information of your accountant if you’re self-employed
• Details about other debt and regular payments you make (car loans, your mortgage, student loans, other credit cards, etc.)
• Information about the value of your assets (such as your car or home)
• Your own contact details, including your email address if you want email confirmation or updates

There’s no point in beginning to fill out an online credit card application if you don’t have some of this information available. Generally for security reasons your application will be closed after a certain period of time of inactivity anyway (such as 15 minutes).

In other words, if you begin filling your application out and you leave the room for 20 minutes to dig through your files for information required, you might go back to your computer only to find out that you have to start all over again. It’s not worth the hassle. Have the information you need up front.

It’s also important to note that you’ll have to meet specific requirements in addition to having the above information available. For example, you may need to be over 18 years old and a permanent Australian resident. You’ll also have to meet certain yearly income requirements ($15,000 annually for the Aussie MasterCard as an example).

If you’re a non-permanent Australian resident, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. You might just have to meet higher income requirements to qualify ($50,000 per year for the Aussie credit card for example). After all, you don’t want to waste time finding all of this information and filling out an application knowing you don’t meet the basic requirements to be approved anyway.

If you find a credit card offer that appeals to you here in our credit card comparison engine, just visit the card details page to access an “apply now” link that will take you to the credit card company’s site where you can apply online today.