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Long expiry plans give you more time between recharges - just pay once for up to 365 days of usage. They can be a great money-saving option if you're not a heavy mobile user. They're essentially the same as a prepaid plan, but don't expire as often - lasting from a few months up to a year before you need to recharge.
Long expiry prepaid plans are generally suited for light phone users.
They aren't usually a good match for heavy data users.
Looking for the best long expiry plans? 👀
While there's no singular long expiry mobile plan that's considered the best, we've come up with a couple of options in different categories to help narrow down your decision. Since all our needs are different, what's best for you might not be considered the best for someone else. Keep in mind that we don't compare every mobile plan available in the market, and we encourage you to compare your options and find one that works for you.
The Best 365 Day Prepaid Mobile Plans for October 2020
How did we choose the best long expiry mobile plans?
At the start of each month, we look at all the mobile phone plans available in our Mobile Plan Finderâ„¢ with a plan length between 90 and 365 days. We then choose a couple of top picks across a range of categories to help you find the best long expiry plan. None of our picks are sponsored placements - we also take into account mobile providers and plans that we aren't partnered with - so that our winners for each category are chosen without bias.
We take these factors into account when choosing our winners:
Price per month (and whether promotional pricing is involved)
Data allowance
Plan length
Other notable features such as data banking, network coverage and international inclusions
Best 365 day prepaid mobile plan:
Catch 120GB 365 Days
SIM-only - Prepaid
Catch is widely known for its frequent deals, and its 120GB for $120 wins out as the best year-long expiry plan at $1 per 1GB. You'll get your whole data allowance up front, so you can use it whenever.
The plan will auto renew at $150 by default every year, so make sure to opt out of this if you aren't keen on the long term commitment.
Catch also takes out the second top spot too, appealing to users who want a year-long 'set and forget' plan but don't need huge amounts of data. You'll get 60GB to spend throughout the year however you please.
The plan costs $99 for a full year's worth of inclusions.
This Lebara 180 day plan comes with 120GB to use, which is essentially 20GB to use each month for 6 months. 20GB is quite a chunk of data, just make sure you're keeping an eye on your usage since you get all your data in one hit - you don't want to run out before the expiry period!
Until October 31, this plan is $120 when you sign up. Subsequent recharges are $160.
If you don't need a huge amount of data each month, Lebara's Small plan is a better match for you. All Lebara plans come with a data bank of up to 200GB, so you can store any unused data at the end of your plan for the next recharge.
This plan is currently $85 until October 31, with future recharges reverting back to the plan's original price of $135.
Although the Telstra network doesn't have many long expiry plans, Boost Mobile's 365 day plan stands out. You'll get data at a rate of $1.25 per 1GB that lasts all year long.
On top of that, Boost has great bonus features like free Apple Music streaming and data rollover.
Optus' Daily Plus plan works differently to most - you'll only get charged for days where you make a call or use data, with credit lasting up to 186 days. For an extra $2 a day, you can get 500MB of data and unlimited domestic calls.
This is a great plan for those who aren't looking for a lot of data, and just want unlimited calls and texts for half the year.
This long-lasting Vodafone plan gives you $40 of credit that goes for a full year. It's a pay as you go plan ideal for users who don't need much data, and only have to make the occasional telephone call or text.
If you don't need the full year expiry, you can also get a PAYG plan from Vodafone with less starting credit.
The amaysim pay as you go plan really stands out from the competition since you only need to load up $10 of credit to get a full year of expiry. The big 3 providers require a much larger investment to match that.
As with any PAYG plan, it's perfect for users with low data requirements and can last a long time if you only need a few calls and texts.
Long expiry plans are prepaid plans where credit lasts longer than your usual month-to-month grind, up to a full 365 days. You pay upfront in return for a 3-, 6- or 12-month expiry period, meaning you won't need to recharge for ages so long as your credit holds out.
Long expiry plans typically suit infrequent mobile users, people with minimal data needs, or even people who just want to park a rarely-used number on a cheap, long-lasting plan, though that's less prevalent these days.
These plans come in two types:
Pay as you go (PAYG). Under the PAYG model, you plonk down some credit upfront and then are charged a flat rate for minutes of talk, texts and MB of data use. Usage charges are deducted from your credit until it's exhausted. Some versions of this plan deduct a flat fee for each day you use your phone, rather than how much you use it.
Set inclusion. Pay upfront and get an allotment of data that you can use as you wish during the expiry period, just like regular prepaid plans. Set inclusions plans tend to come with unlimited talk and text in Australia. Be aware that some plans may come with a monthly allocation for data amounts. For example, a six-month plan might come with a total of 60GB of data but only give you access to 10GB each month.
If you're unsure whether a long expiry mobile plan is right for you, we've broken down the pros and cons for you below:
Pros
Credit lasts a long time. You can simply pay once, and you don't have to think about it again until your expiry period comes up.
Good for receiving calls. If you just want a phone so that family and friends can stay in touch by calling you, a long expiry plan is a great way to save money.
Good option for the elderly. Long expiry plans are usually simple and suit light mobile users.
Use it to reserve your number. For as little as $5, you can secure your number on your SIM card for up to a year, whether you're travelling or just want a back-up number.
Cons
Lower value. Compared to a monthly prepaid or postpaid plan, you trade value for a long expiry period.
Not great for heavy data users. Even for the plans with bundled data inclusions, you're looking at less data than if you paid monthly.
You've got to pay upfront. Long expiry plans are all prepaid, so you've got to stump up the cash before you've even made your first call.
Locks you into a provider. The beauty of a prepaid plan is that typically you can change providers on a whim. That's a less attractive prospect if you've already sunk a lot of money into a 365-day expiry plan.
Promoted
Circles.Life 100GB for $28
Pay $28 for 100GB of data from Circles.Life - $38 after the first 6 months.
Compare more long expiry prepaid mobile plans below
If you'd prefer to compare long expiry plans for yourself, check out the table below. You can click the 'filter results' button if you're looking for a specific data amount, price or provider.
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Sam Baran is a writer for Finder, covering topics across the tech, telco and utilities sectors. They enjoy decrypting technical jargon and helping people compare complex products easily. When they aren't writing, you'll find Sam's head buried in a book or working on their latest short story. Sam has a Bachelor of Advanced Science from the University of Sydney.
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I’m looking for a long term data only plan, preferably 5 years if possible. Data usage is low, just monitoring power at a site with no internet access.
Currently, long expiry prepaid plans are up to 365 days which is for a year. Kindly contact your chosen provider if they may provide a modified mobile plan for your needs.
I intend to buy a prepaid mobile plan for 365 days. My present plan will end on 25/04/2019. Can I buy now and activate the SIM card nearer to the end date of my present plan?
There are SIM providers that may allow you to buy a SIM now and then activate on a later time. You may need to check this with the specific SIM provider whom you are considering to buy a prepaid SIM so you can be advised accordingly. This is normally applicable if you are to get a new mobile number. If you intend to port your number, you need to let the incoming provider know that you are planning to move your number and check their porting time frame so you can consider and check your options.
Hello, great article, but it seems as though none of the pre-paid plans listed allow calls to be received when roaming internationally? What prepaid long expiry plans allow you to receive calls internationally?
Our company finder.com.au is a financial comparison website and general information service designed to help consumers to make a better decision. Please note we do not represent any company we feature on our pages.
On this article, you may need to contact the providers to inquiry if they have an offer to receive a call from overseas.
You can use any of the SIM cards featured on this page if you have an unlocked mobile phone, however, you can only use a Telstra SIM card on a Telstra locked phone. You can get in touch with Telstra for assistance in unlocking your Telstra locked phone.
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finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We compare from a wide set of banks, insurers and product issuers. We value our editorial independence and follow editorial guidelines.
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Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.
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I’m looking for a long term data only plan, preferably 5 years if possible. Data usage is low, just monitoring power at a site with no internet access.
Hi Dean,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Currently, long expiry prepaid plans are up to 365 days which is for a year. Kindly contact your chosen provider if they may provide a modified mobile plan for your needs.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
I intend to buy a prepaid mobile plan for 365 days. My present plan will end on 25/04/2019. Can I buy now and activate the SIM card nearer to the end date of my present plan?
Hi John,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
There are SIM providers that may allow you to buy a SIM now and then activate on a later time. You may need to check this with the specific SIM provider whom you are considering to buy a prepaid SIM so you can be advised accordingly. This is normally applicable if you are to get a new mobile number. If you intend to port your number, you need to let the incoming provider know that you are planning to move your number and check their porting time frame so you can consider and check your options.
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Mai
Hello, great article, but it seems as though none of the pre-paid plans listed allow calls to be received when roaming internationally? What prepaid long expiry plans allow you to receive calls internationally?
Hi Matt,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Our company finder.com.au is a financial comparison website and general information service designed to help consumers to make a better decision. Please note we do not represent any company we feature on our pages.
On this article, you may need to contact the providers to inquiry if they have an offer to receive a call from overseas.
Cheers,
Harold
Can these SIM cards be used in a Telstra mobile phone?
Hi Aldimobile,
Thank you for your enquiry.
You can use any of the SIM cards featured on this page if you have an unlocked mobile phone, however, you can only use a Telstra SIM card on a Telstra locked phone. You can get in touch with Telstra for assistance in unlocking your Telstra locked phone.
Cheers,
Jason