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!
Over time, Optus has evolved its phone network and sold its infrastructure to support numerous smaller carriers, also known as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).
If you're looking to switch plans but want the speed and service of Optus, we've selected its best MVNOs for you to consider.
113
Mobile plans compared
18
Mobile providers
3
Expert picks
We take these factors into account when choosing our winners:
Keep in mind: Our best picks might not be the best for you. We encourage you to compare your options and choose the one that best suits your circumstances.
amaysim's prepaid plan offers great long-term value, unlike other prepaid plans around this price point that come with promotional pricing or data terms.
amaysim keeps it simple - get 50GB + 15GB bonus data on your first three recharges for just $15 on your first renewal until 31 July 2021.
We picked gomo, a new telco player with an 18GB standard data + 18GB bonus data for the first 3 subscription.
There's also unlimited calls and texts, as well as access to gomo's data rollover feature, so you can save up any unused data for the month for your next recharge.
This Circles.Life plan usually comes with 8GB data for $18 per month but if you get it before 02 August 2021, you can save $4 a month for the first 12 months, which means you just need to pay $14 each month. It then goes back to its original price of $18 a month.
You can also make calls without any worry with this plan's unlimited calls and text inclusion.
You won't find a better big data deal than this 100GB plan from Circles.Life. Other mobile plans that offer 100GB will cost you at least an extra $22 per month.
This plan is only $28 for the first 12 months, then $38 per month after. Offer ends on 02 August 2021, 12pm AEST.
Optus has the largest number of MVNOs who use its network. Here's a full list of the providers that use the Optus mobile network:
There are easily 100+ plans out there for you to sort through when it comes to choosing an Optus network provider. While all these third-party providers may have access to the full Optus network, they are certainly not equal.
We've broken down some of the more popular providers on the Optus network to help you find one that sounds appealing for you and your needs.
amaysim launched back in 2010 and has grown to be the largest MVNO in all of Australia, smaller than only the big three telcos. It has a decent range of SIM only mobile plans that go up to 80GB data, all for $50 or less. Watch out for 28-day expiry periods, which will require an extra recharge during the year.
With amaysim, you can get a few international inclusions just for showing up. The 3 most expensive plans have unlimited talk and text to 19 countries, while the top 2 have 300 international minutes of standard talk to another 13 countries. The company also has great customer service support, based on reviews.
Southern Phone is one of the largest providers of phone services and broadband to regional Australia, and it was purchased by AGL at the end of 2019. Now it offers some fairly hefty value in the form of contract phone plans, plus a few non-contract options for people who prefer to go month to month.
You can get all the way up to 80GB per month from Southern Phone, which is sure to sate the appetite of even the most data-hungry customers. More expensive plans come with varying amounts of international call credit to use when ringing overseas.
Vaya has some of the better-priced plans on the market and was recently bought out by Australia's largest MVNO amaysim. Base data inclusions go up to over 60GB a month, and you can pop on some international inclusions for $2 extra per month.
Vaya used to have a rather shocking record of customer service reviews online. Since its acquisition by amaysim, which has some of the best customer service reviews, its performance has improved dramatically, with many more people seeming satisfied with their Vaya experience.
Moose Mobile may be a pretty small telecommunications company, but it has won tons of awards over the past few years, including from Money Magazine. You have a choice between some very cheap month-to-month plans and longer, much higher value 12-month contract plans. Its plans are all more or less basic, with only a few international inclusions thrown in here and there.
It scores pretty high in the customer service arena, too, with some top quality customer service awards from Product Review. The only weird thing to watch out for on some of its plans is that the plans will revert to much lower monthly data inclusions after 24 months.
Catch Connect is the mobile arm of deal website Catch, and it has some pretty low prices among what it offers. Customers can pick an expiry period of 30, 90 or 365 days on their prepaid plans, some of which offer fairly stellar value.
There are no extras to be had with Catch Connect's plans, but that's not a huge problem if you just want uncomplicated data for dollar value. Be very careful, however – some plans may be super cheap on the first recharge but then jump up to a significantly higher price afterwards, and all the plans auto-renew by default.
