Best mobile plans for seniors

• Network: Optus 4G/3G network
• Calls + texts: Unlimited standard national calls and texts
• International inclusions: $50 international call credit
• Total cost over first 12 months: $120

• Great for those who don't need a lot of data - 5GB a month is enough for browsing, maps usage on-the-go and light video streaming, especially if you use your Wi-Fi connection when you're at home.
• Australian customer support team both over the phone and via live chat.

Watch out for:

• Plan increases to $15 a month after the first 6 months, but there's no lock-in contract so you're free to switch.
• $8 port-out fee if you switch to a different provider and bring your phone number with you.

To find the best mobile plan under $15, we looked at mobile plans on Finder that cost under $15 per month. We then gave each shortlisted plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.

• Network: Optus 4G network
• Calls + texts: Unlimited standard national calls and texts
• International inclusions: None
• Total cost over first 12 months: $240

• Double data for the first 3 months to boost your value, with no excess charges if you go over your monthly data limit
• Includes unlimited standard calls and texts in Australia
• No lock-in contract

Watch out for:

• Data reverts to 15GB a month after the first 3 months - this should be plenty for the average mobile user

We looked at mobile plans on Finder that cost under $20 per month. We then gave each shortlisted plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.

• Network: Vodafone 3G/4G network
• Calls + texts: Unlimited standard national calls and texts
• International inclusions: None
• Total cost over first 12 months: $315

• Great value for money thanks to its half price offer for the first 3 months (use code FELIX50)
• No excess data charges so you can go over 50GB each month and not be charged extra for it - instead, your speed will slow down to 1.5Mbps
• No lock-in contract

Watch out for:

• Customer support is online only - if you're looking for a call centre to ring up about any problems, felix won't be right for you

We compared mobile plans on Finder that cost under $30 per month. We then gave each shortlisted plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.

• Network: Optus 4G network
• Calls + texts: Unlimited standard national calls and texts
• International inclusions: None
• Total cost over first 12 months: $125

• You can enjoy 160GB of data for $125 when you sign up to this plan. Reverts to 120GB for $150 per recharge after the offer ends.
• Includes unlimited standard calls and texts in Australia

Watch out for:

• Price reverts to $150 for 120GB after your first year, but there's no lock-in contract so you can switch at any time
• Automatic recharges are turned on by default so you'll need to opt out in your account dashboard if you don't want your plan to renew automatically for the next year

We compared prepaid mobile plans on Finder that cost under $150. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.

• Network: Wholesale Telstra 5G network
• Calls + texts: Unlimited standard national calls and texts
• International inclusions: None
• Total cost over first 12 months: $420

• Bonus 20GB for an entire year - you'll get 60GB instead of 40GB for the first 12 months. Most mobile deals only last for the first 3-6 months, so this is great value!
• No excess data charges so you won't be flogged an extra fee for going over 60GB a month, instead your mobile data speed will slow down to 1Mbps
• Call and text 30 selected destinations for an extra $5 a month

Watch out for:

• 4G and 5G download speeds are capped at 150Mbps
• Runs on the Telstra wholesale network, not the full network, so it has slightly less coverage than being on Telstra itself. This could matter for those living outside of metropolitan areas.

We looked at mobile plans on Finder that cost under $35 per month and run on the Telstra wholesale and full network. We gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.

• Network: Optus 4G network
• Calls + texts: Unlimited standard national calls and texts
• International inclusions: $300 international call credit
• Total cost over first 12 months: $420

• Comes with $300 international call credit (country call rates will vary) and unlimited international texts
• Double data to really boost the value of your plan for the first 3 months, with no excess data charges (speeds slowed to 1Mbps)
• No lock-in contract

Watch out for:

• Plan reverts to 45GB a month after your first 3 months