Cheap mobile plans in Australia
Compare cheap mobile phone plans starting from just under $12 a month.
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How we picked theseFinder Score for mobile plans
We've scored over 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.
What are the cheapest phone plans in Australia?
Here's our list of the top 10 cheapest mobile plan in our database as of March 2026 with at least 1GB of data.
| 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 | $18 for the first recharge, then $26 per recharge ongoing | 30GB for the first recharge, then 7GB per recharge ongoing | Sign up here |
| Lebara | Vodafone 4G network | $9 for the first recharge, then $19.90 per recharge ongoing | 10GB | Read review |
| Alphacall | Wholesale Telstra 4G network | $21 per month | 12GB | Read review |
| Tangerine Mobile | Wholesale Telstra 4G network | $25 per month | 14GB | Read review |
| OnePass Mobile | Optus 4G network | $20 per 28 days | 15GB | Read review |
| Coles Mobile | Optus 4G network | $25 per 28 days | 22GB | Read review |
| SpinTel | Optus 4G/5G network | $14 for the first 6 months, then $22 per month ongoing | 25GB | Read review |
| Yomojo | Optus 4G network | $18.90 for the first 6 recharge, then $23.90 per recharge ongoing | 29GB | Read review |
| amaysim | Optus 4G/5G network | $12 for the first recharge, then $30 per recharge ongoing | 50GB for the first recharge, then 32GB per recharge ongoing | Sign up here |
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 research from the ACCC, the average Aussie uses around 14GB of data each 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, which covers 98.8% of Australians.
- Optus MVNOs get full access to the network, covering 98.5% of the population.
- Vodafone MVNOs get full access to the network, which covers 98.4% of Australians.
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 $63 typically spent with the big three, according to data from our Consumer Sentiment Tracker.
Frequently asked questions
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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!