National credit card debt up by 8%  -  SMH -  21 April 2014

Australians spent a record $70.1 billion on credit cards between December and February - almost 8 per cent more than during the previous summer.

Reserve Bank of Australia data shows spending on credit leapt from $65 billion, following three years of more gradual increases.

As of February credit Cardholders were still almost $50.2 billion in the red - the highest debt level seen since June 2012.   It included $35 billion in accruing interest.

Financial Counselling Australia, Executive Director Fiona Guthrie, said clients were increasingly asking for advice about debt on multiple credit cards, compared to five years ago when it was more common to have only one or two cards.

''We see people when they can't pay their credit card debt, which is usually a result of a change in their circumstances, a person loses their job or a relationship breaks down.''

Modelling by comparison website Creditcardfinder found it would take 18 years to pay off an average credit card balance of $2,247 accruing interest at 17 per cent if only minimum payments were made.

Edward Manuel, 56, has struggled for the past six years to cut down his credit card debt, which hovers between $7,000 and $9,000.

''I feel like I'm trying to walk against the wind,'' said Mr Manuel, who lives in public housing in Thornbury and uses his credit card to pay for bills that he cannot cover on his disability pension.

''I make my monthly repayments but I get nowhere. I've tried to change to low interest but they don't let me because I have a low income and a pre-existing medical condition.''

Mitchell Watson, of finance research company Canstar, said credit card users often fell into bad habits and could be unaware of better rates on offer.

''Interest rates range from as low as 8.99 per cent to perhaps as high as 21 per cent so it's quite a large difference and that can have a material impact on how much interest you are paying per month,'' he said.