It can be overwhelming to sift through all the options. Don't worry though, we've simplified the process to help you find a mobile plan that works for you.
This is the first question to ask yourself when choosing a phone plan.
💡 Pro Tip: You can keep your existing phone number when switching providers, and it's easy to bring it with you no matter where you switch.
Start by checking how much data you use, because there's a good chance you're paying for more than you need (and could save money!). Many Australians overestimate how much data they need; based on research from the ACCC, the average Aussie uses 13.4GB each month on average - far less than the 40GB most people choose as per our data.
💡 Pro tip: If you mostly use Wi-Fi and don't stream much on the go, a smaller data plan could save you money. Second, check your previous bills to get a clear picture of your typical usage. If you're still not sure of how much you use, there's more info below.
Coverage matters, especially if you live in rural or regional areas. Price and data won't matter much if you're constantly losing signal!
💡 Pro tip: Check the mobile phone provider's network coverage map before signing up.
Some mobile plans come with extras like international calls, data rollover or travel roaming.
💡 Pro tip: If you don't need these features, focus on finding a plan with the right price and data (unlimited local calls and texts are usually a given).
You could be overpaying by sticking with the same provider or plan for too long – or only looking at the big brands like Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. As a rule, it's a good idea to look at plans every 6 to 12 months and to review it anytime the provider raises prices. If you don't, you're essentially being taken advantage of by being loyal; aka the loyalty tax. On average, Aussies spend $53 a month on their phone bill, but you could get a plan with 40GB for as little as $30 a month. For more insights like these, read our Loyalty Tax report on mobile, broadband and energy bills.
In Australia, there are three main types of mobile phone plans:
Each has its benefits depending on your needs.
There's less of a distinction between prepaid and postpaid plans these days, especially with the removal of lock-in contracts for postpaid. Here's a quick breakdown of the differences:
| Prepaid plans | Postpaid plans | |
|---|---|---|
| Contract length | No lock-in contract | Usually no lock-in contract |
| Payment period | Paid upfront | Billed monthly |
| Excess charges | No excess data charges | Some providers charge for excess data use, while others slow your speeds |
| Expiry period | 7-day, 28-day, 30-day, and long-expiry plans (90, 180, or 365 days), as well as monthly options | Monthly |
| Recharges | Without auto-recharge, you must renew your plan before it expires | The plan will continue monthly unless you cancel |
Buying a phone outright is cheaper in the long run, but it's not easy to fork out a big chunk of cash upfront, especially if you're eyeing something from Samsung, Apple or Google.
Telstra, Optus and Vodafone allow you to pay for your phone in monthly instalments over 12, 24 or 36 months. There's no lock-in contract, and you can leave anytime by paying off the remaining phone cost.
So far this year, we've had Samsung launch its flagship Galaxy S25 series and three new phones in the Galaxy A series range. Apple has released a brand-new iPhone 16e to replace the legacy iPhone SE.
Google unveiled the Pixel 9a on 20 March 2025. It will go on sale on 16 April after facing a short delay. You can get all the details in our news piece covering the launch.
Alternatively, you can also compare plans for different models from the big tech brands.
Understanding how much data you need is key to avoiding overpaying.
Activities like browsing and social media don't use as much data as you'd think, so you can probably get by with less than 15GB, especially if you're on Wi-Fi most of the time.
Streaming and downloads, however, can burn through data quickly. If you're out and about a lot or have a long commute, you might want some extra buffer: at least 20-25GB a month.
Anything above 40GB is considered a high data plan.
| Data | Activities |
|---|---|
| 3GB - 10 GB | Enough for casual web browsing, social media, occasional music streaming and some online gaming |
| 15GB - 20GB | Great for regular web browsing, moderate streaming, gaming and occasional YouTube viewing |
| 30GB and above | Perfect for those who frequently stream high-definition videos or download large files like movies, TV shows and video games |
If you're still worried about going over your data allowance, consider an unlimited data mobile plan.
In most cases, once you've used up your data, your speeds will drop from anywhere between 256Kbps to 2Mbps. That's still enough for basic things like checking emails or browsing, but you might struggle with heavier tasks.
"My wife and I were both paying $44 a month each on our mobile plans, with more data than we needed. I thought it was a good deal until I found a 365-day plan with 120GB of data for $119, which works out to $10 each per month. Still, more data than we need since we're almost always connected to our Wi-Fi at home, but it will save us $800 a year!"
Australia's three mobile networks - Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone - each have pros and cons. Smaller providers use their networks to offer mobile plans.
Network coverage is important because it affects how smoothly you can do things like browse the web or stream content on your phone.
Telstra has the widest network coverage in Australia and leads in rural and regional areas.
Konec Mobile
MATE
More Telecom
numobile
Pennytel
Superloop
Tangerine
TeleChoice
Telsim
Think Mobile
Optus offers good coverage in major cities, at a lower price than Telstra.
Vodafone is the most affordable but has slightly limited coverage outside cities.
A 5G mobile connection offers faster speeds, particularly in crowded areas. But if you don't use much data, have an older phone that doesn't support 5G or live where the coverage is patchy, 4G might be enough.
The good news? Many mobile plans now include both 4G and 5G, especially with 3G now phased out, so you won't have to pay more for faster speeds.
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We've done the hard work so you don't have to go searching far and wide for the best SIM-only plan.
Our experts have crunched the numbers to help you find the best mobile phone plan in Australia.
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Hello Kim, I just got an apple watch cellular and realised my belong plan doesn’t allow a shared number. I also need to make int calls to Germany and international roaming when I’m travelling to Europe. Since I live rural I need the Telstra network. I cannot seem to find a plan that matches all my criteria. I don’t need a lot of data, roughly 7GB a month.
Hi Cindy.
The easiest solution is to get a cheap Telstra plan with the following add-ons:
Pre-Paid International Roaming Pack: This is available on most Telstra SIM-only plans with prices starting at $10. You only pay when you need it.
Telstra One Number: This allows you to share your mobile number with your Apple Watch. It costs $5 a month. Your watch gets the same number as your mobile, and the monthly charge simply goes on your mobile bill.
With the aforementioned add-ons, you just need a plan with international calls to Germany.
Telstra’s $39 Pre-Paid SIM Starter Kit plan includes 300 minutes of calls and 100 texts to Germany per month. It comes with 15GB data per month. Hope this helps!
I want to go from Optus to Telstra are there any specials on the Samsung S25
Hi Kim, Telstra’s offering a bonus Galaxy Tab 9 when you sign up to an S25 / S25+ / S25 Ultra phone plan. You can check out the offers here https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/mobiles-on-a-plan. There’s up to a $500 discount on the S24 in case you don’t mind an older model. Hope this helps!
What about about Virgin ?
Virgin Mobile doesn’t operate in the Australian market anymore.
what is the best value mobile broadband
Hi Charles, You can check out our dedicated mobile broadband comparison to see which options might work for you.
Is it good service in the middle of Australia?
Hi Leslie, which network provider or plan are you specifically referring to? I can help you understand how good the coverage is if you can provide some more details. Thanks :)