Best 365 Day
100GB
Data
$130
per
365 days expiry
365-day prepaid mobile plans
Pay in advance for up to a year's worth of data and calls and save in the long run. We compared 42 long-expiry plans to help you find the best one.
Best Budget Long Expiry
60GB
Data
$99
per
365 days expiry
$99 for the 1st renewal, then $120 per renewal onwards. T&Cs apply.
Best 180 Day
150GB
Data
$150
per
6 months
Best Telstra Network
100GB
Data
$170
per
12 months
Online offer: Save $30 - get a $200 SIM for $170. New customers only. T&C apply.
Best Optus Network
300GB
Data
$300
per
365 days expiry
Free Optus X Power 2 handset when you purchase the $300 SIM Starter Kit online. Offer ends 19.10.21, unless sold out prior.
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We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Here are our picks for the best 365-day prepaid mobile plans for October 2021 (including other long-expiry options):
- Best 365-day prepaid mobile plan: Kogan Mobile Small Flex 365 days
- Best 180-day prepaid mobile plan: amaysim 150GB Long Expiry Plan
- Best cheap long-expiry plan amaysim 60GB Long Expiry Plan
- Best 365-day mobile plan on the Telstra network: Boost Prepaid $200 Prepaid SIM
- Best 365-day mobile plan on the Optus network: Optus Prepaid $300 SIM Starter Kit (Epic Value Plan)
- Best 365-day mobile plan on the Vodafone network: Kogan Mobile Extra Large 365 Days Flex
The best mobile phone plans for seniors in October 2021 were picked by our team of mobile plan experts on 5 October 2021 and reviewed by our senior writer, Mariam Gabaji.
1. Best 365-day prepaid mobile plan
Kogan Mobile won for the overall best 365-day mobile plan because of its generous dollar-to-data value.
Kogan Mobile Small Flex 365 days
What we liked about Kogan:
- Get 1 Qantas frequent flyer point for every $2 you spend with Kogan Mobile (if you link your accounts)
- This plan is the equivalent of getting 8GB for $11 a month. To compare, the average 8GB monthly plan in our database costs $14 a month. This means you save $36 throughout the year with Kogan.
- Unlimited calls and texts within Australia.
- Access to the Vodafone 3G/4G network.
2. Best 180-day prepaid mobile plan
We chose amaysim as the winner for the best 180-day prepaid plan because of its cheap data value and because it runs on the Optus 4G network.
amaysim 150GB Long Expiry Plan
What we liked about amaysim:
- 1:1 data to dollar ratio which is right on the benchmark you want to aim for.
- You'll get the same Optus 4G coverage as you would if you signed up to an Optus plan.
- Unlimited international calls and texts to 42 selected countries.
- Unlimited data banking so you can save up any unused data for your next recharge.
3. Best cheap long-expiry plan
For under $100 for the entire year, amaysim's deal on its 60GB long expiry plan nabbed it the winning spot for best cheap plan.
amaysim 60GB Long Expiry Plan
Unlimited
Calls & Text
Calls & Text
60GB
Data
Data
$99
per 365 days
per 365 days
$99 for the 1st renewal, then $120 per renewal onwards. T&Cs apply. Ends 31.10.2021
What we liked about amaysim:
- Get this plan for $99 for your first year, then $120 the year after.
- Unlimited data banking so any unused data during the first year can be tacked onto the year after.
- This plan is the equivalent of 5GB for $8.25 a month. To compare, the average 5GB plan costs $19.70 a month. This means you'll save $137.40 over your first year with amaysim.
- Access to the Optus 4G network
4. Best 365-day mobile plan on the Telstra network
Boost was our preferred choice for one very important reason – full Telstra 4G coverage that reaches 99.5% of the population – which is important if you're living in a regional area.
Boost Prepaid $200 Prepaid SIM
Unlimited
Calls & Text
Calls & Text
100GB
Data
Data
$170
per 12 months
per 12 months
Online offer: Save $30 - get a $200 SIM for $170. New customers only. T&C apply. Ends 18.10.2021
What we liked about Boost:
- Full Telstra 4G coverage. This is particularly important if you're committing to a plan for the full year. You won't find better coverage elsewhere.
- You can easily track your usage via the Boost app, which also supports a live chat feature.
- Make unlimited international calls to 20 countries.
5. Best 365-day mobile plan on the Optus network
Optus came out as the best 365-day plan on its own network, costing you less than $1 a day for an entire year.
Optus Prepaid $300 SIM Starter Kit (Epic Value Plan)
What we liked about Optus:
- Great data value at $1 per GB, which is exactly what you want to aim for.
- You're essentially paying $25 per month for 25GB data. To compare, the average 25GB plan in our database costs $32 per month. You're saving $84 with Optus by signing up for a year.
- Rollover up to 50GB of data if you choose to renew this plan for a second year.
If you don't need this much data for a year, we'd recommend checking out our picks for the best overall 365-day plan or the best cheap long-expiry plan, both of which use the Optus network.
6. Best 365-day mobile plan on the Vodafone network
Kogan came out the winner for the best 365-day prepaid plan on the Vodafone network because it had the cheapest data.
Kogan Mobile Extra Large 365 Days Flex
What we liked about Kogan:
- A huge 500GB for $300 a month – that's 200GB more than Optus's plan for the same price. Just keep in mind that the Vodafone network (which Kogan uses) has less coverage than Optus.
- For $25 per month, you're getting 42GB of data. That's $0.60 per GB which is great since the benchmark is $1 per GB. To compare, the only 42GB plan in our database costs $40 a month. You're saving $180 with Kogan's plan.
- Earn 1 Qantas point for every $2 spent with Kogan
With Kogan, you also get to choose whether to get all your data upfront or split it monthly. We've chosen the Flex option here (so you get all your data when you activate the plan), but if you'd prefer it split into monthly allowances, you can opt for that option instead.
Find the best long-term mobile plan
There's no singular plan that'll suit everyone, but the things to consider before choosing a long-expiry prepaid mobile plan remain the same.
1. Consider expiry periods
How long are you willing to commit for? Long-expiry plans typically come with the choice of 90-, 180- and 365-day periods.
The longer you commit for, the fewer times in the year you'll need to worry about recharging.
- Keep in mind you can't cancel your plan once you commit, and if you decide to leave, you'll lose the money you paid upfront.
2. How much can you pay upfront?
In most cases, paying a higher amount upfront can mean you'll end up saving on your mobile bills over the year. But not all of us have $100 or so lying around to spend in one go.
Figure out whether dishing it out in 1 upfront payment is worth savings over the year or if a regular mobile plan with monthly repayments is best for your budget.
3. What plan inclusions are you looking for?
Besides calls and texts, consider what else you're looking for in a mobile plan over the course of a year:
- Choose a data limit suited to your needs. When in doubt, add a couple of extra GB on to how much data you think you'll use. You don't want to get stuck with not enough data after committing for the long term.
- Consider whether you'll need to call overseas. Unlimited domestic calls and texts are usually a given (unless you're on a PAYG plan), but you might have family and friends overseas. A plan with free international minutes and texts could be beneficial.
4. Which network do you want to commit to?
This is a key factor primarily for those living in regional and rural areas of Australia. Telstra offers the widest coverage and you're less likely to deal with reception issues than if you were to go with Optus or Vodafone.
Figure out which network offers the best reception in your area before committing long term. Ask around or try out a month-to-month plan before paying for the full year.
Long-expiry data plans
Long-expiry data plans do exist, and you can find them here. Just remember that these will only give you access to mobile data and not to any calls or texts.
Mobile plans are often better value compared to mobile data plans, but it pays to read the terms and conditions for mobile plans if you're intending to use it as your main form of Internet connection at home.
Some T&Cs explicitly state you can't use your mobile plan as your main form of Internet. For example, Telstra's is called the Fair Play Policy which specifically says that any excessive use of its mobile plans will result in you losing access.
Compare long-expiry mobile plans
In the table below, you'll find prepaid mobile plans with expiry term lengths ranging from 90-365 days.
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Ask an Expert
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