Cheap mobile plans in Australia November 2026
Paying too much for your phone plan? Cheap mobile plans in Australia start from under $15 a month. Compare your options and see how much you could save.
Compare other products
How we picked these
Finder Score for mobile plans
We've scored 290+ mobile plans on everything from cost to data allowance and important features.
Our experts give each plan a score out of 10 - totally fair, with no commercial strings attached.
Cheap phone plans in Australia by data allowance
Here's a selection of cheap mobile plans from our database as of November 2026, ordered by data allowance (all with at least 1GB of data). Some plans in the comparison table above may cost less, so check it too before you choose.
| Provider | Network | Cost | Data allowance | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cmobile Red | Vodafone 4G network | $12.90 per month | 1GB | Read review |
| Boost Mobile | Telstra 4G/5G network | $28 per 28 days | 8GB | Read review |
| E.Tel | Optus 4G network | $22 per 28 days | 12GB | Read review |
| amaysim | Optus 4G/5G network | $11 for the first recharge, then $30 per recharge ongoing | 15GB | Sign up here |
| OnePass Mobile | Optus 4G/5G network | $12.50 for the first 6 recharge, then $25 per recharge ongoing | 22GB | Read review |
| Lebara | Vodafone 4G/5G network | $9 for the first recharge, then $25 per recharge ongoing | 25GB | Read review |
| Yomojo | Optus 4G network | $24.90 per 30 days | 29GB | Read review |
| ZenSim | Vodafone 4G network | $30 per month | 35GB | Read review |
| Dodo | Optus 4G/5G network | $15 for the first 6 months, then $30 per month ongoing | 40GB | Sign up here |
| Coles Mobile | Optus 4G network | $10 for the first recharge, then $25 per recharge ongoing | 44GB per recharge for 3 recharges, then 22GB per recharge ongoing | Read review |
Tips for finding cheap mobile plans
The cheapest phone plans often come with trade-offs, and that's okay if they don't affect what you actually need.
Here are the main things to consider so you know what you're giving up (and what you're not).
Expiry length
Monthly SIM-only plans can be billed month to month or come with 28- or 30-day expiries. There are also long-expiry prepaid plans, which reduce the hassle of frequent recharges to up to 365 days. These can sometimes work out cheaper per month and are a good option if you have a rough idea of how much data you'll need.
Calls and texts
Most phone plans, even cheap ones, include unlimited local calls and texts. There may be a couple of exceptions, such as pay-as-you-go plans, but those are best to avoid unless you use your phone very infrequently, or you just need a backup phone SIM card.
Data limit
A lot of us overestimate how much data we need. According to ACCC data for October to December 2025, the average Aussie on a mobile phone plan uses about 15.6GB of data a month, far less than the 40GB most people tend to opt for, based on Finder's own survey. So, when choosing a cheap mobile plan, consider how much data you realistically use to avoid paying for more than you need. Check your provider's mobile app or online portal, or review past bills to get a clearer picture of your data use.
Coverage
Most cheap phone plans are sold by Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). Basically they're resellers of Telstra, Optus or Vodafone's networks. Before signing up, check which network you'll be on.
- Telstra MVNOs (except for Boost Mobile) only get access to part of the network.
- Optus MVNOs get full access to the network, which covers most of the Australian population.
- Vodafone MVNOs get full access to the network, which covers 99% of Australians.
Most households aren't slashing everything, they're picking their battles.
44% of Australians are cutting back on some things but not others this year, and 19% have switched to a cheaper mobile or internet plan, Finder's 2026 Household Report found. Your phone bill is a pretty painless place to start.
Source:
Finder's Household Report 2026
Is it worth signing up for a cheap mobile plan?
You'll find that it's usually the smaller providers that offer cheaper mobile plans.
Before you ask, yes they're perfectly legit. They resell access to the big three networks – Telstra, Optus or Vodafone – so you're still getting reliable coverage at a lower price.
The main trade-off is that they don't sell phones on a plan, so you'll have to bring your own device.
Secondly, with any mobile plan, you just need to make sure it works for what you need, whether that's the data allowance, calls and texts or extra perks.
This means sometimes the absolute cheapest plan may not be the best plan for you but it's still better to pay a little bit more so you can have the access you want when there's no Wi-Fi.
How much should I be spending on a mobile plan?
Aussies pay around $29 a month on average with smaller providers - much lower than the $106 typically spent with the big three, according to data from our Consumer Sentiment Tracker.
More resources on Finder
Ask a question
4 Responses
More guides on Finder
-
Best mobile plans on the Optus network November 2026
Looking for a great phone plan from a provider that uses the Optus network? There's something available no matter what you're looking for.
-
OnePass Mobile review
OnePass Mobile offers great-value prepaid plans on the Optus network. But are they right for you?
-
Best mobile plans on the Telstra network November 2026
If you want Telstra's coverage without the price point, there are great ways to save with a smaller provider on the Telstra network.
-
Best mobile plans for international calls November 2026
We pored over 200 mobile plans featuring international calls to find you our top picks for this month.
-
Compare SIM-only plans in Australia
From cheap SIM-only plans starting from $9 a month to unlimited data options and plans with extra perks, we’ve got you covered.
-
Best Samsung phone plans & deals
Interested in a new Samsung Galaxy phone as an outright purchase or on contract? Here is what you need to know.
-
Kogan Mobile review
Kogan Mobile plans offer big data for low prices. Get 1 Qantas point for every $2 you spend.
-
Coles Mobile plans
Everything you need to know about Coles Mobile.
-
Boost Mobile review
Boost Mobile plans offer full Telstra coverage for a cheaper price tag.
-
Dodo Mobile review
Dodo’s budget-friendly mobile plans on the Optus network stand out with extras like unlimited data banking.
my broad band server is discontinuing supply so i need to change my plan. can i use a SIM card plan to run my computer?
Hi John, as long as your computer can connect to mobile data, you can use a SIM card plan to get online. You have a few options: insert the SIM into your mobile phone and use it as a hotspot, use a Wi-Fi dongle with the SIM, or, if your computer has a SIM card slot, connect directly through that. Hope this helps!
wanting to know a cheap way for my husbands phone he only needs to call out and receive calls nothing else
I have not asked this before
Hi Orpa, even the most affordable plans these days come with data.
A long-expiry prepaid plan can sometimes work out cheaper than paying month to month. If you don’t mind signing up for the full year (or at least 6 months), you can check out some options here: https://www.finder.com.au/mobile-plans/prepaid-plans
Otherwise, you can compare prepaid mobile plans here: https://www.finder.com.au/mobile-plans/prepaid-plans. Just use the filters to set a price that’s best suited to your budget.
Hope this helps!