What is the average phone bill per month for one person in Australia?

According to Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker, Australians on average spend $52 a month on their mobile phone plan.

Which mobile provider has the best network coverage in Australia?

Telstra has the widest network coverage in Australia, with Optus and Vodafone following close behind. But you don’t need to go straight to the big providers! There are over 40 smaller telcos that offer mobile plans on these networks, often at a lower cost. Check out our guide to see how switching to a smaller provider could help you save.

What is the cheapest and best phone provider?

The cheapest provider may not always be the best but that's why we went to have a few different comparison experiences depending on what you're after. You can either: Compare cheap mobile plans if you're on a tight budget Or, check out the top 10 mobile phone providers popular among Finder users

Is a prepaid or postpaid plan better?

The gap between prepaid and postpaid plans has gotten smaller. Even if a provider offers a postpaid plan, it's likely you'll need to pay upfront. The main difference between the two comes down to expiry periods. Postpaid plans are mostly month-to-month, whereas prepaid plans have 7-, 28-, 30-, 180- or 365-day expiries among others. You can checkout our guide breaking down prepaid vs postpaid plans to decide which one best fits your bill.

Best Mobile Plans in Australia (September 2026)

Finder Award

TPG Small

Go to site

30GB
$15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth. T&Cs apply.

Dodo $30 Online Only Offer

$20 Reward

Go to site

T&Cs apply

$20 Visa gift card from Finder
$15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth. Ends 30 Sep 2026. Plan price may change. T&Cs apply.
40GB

Lyca Mobile Online Only Offer

$20 Reward

Go to site

T&Cs apply

$20 Visa gift card from Finder
$180 for first recharge, then $360/recharge. T&Cs apply.
600GB

Finder AwardMost Loved

felix Subscription Unlimited

Go to site

Unlimited data at speeds up to 40Mbps
$20/mth for first 4 months, then $40/mth. Ends 27 Sep 2026. Use promo code 4UNL. T&Cs apply.

Best mobile plans for September 2026

We’ve compared 294 mobile phone plans from 46 providers in Australia and curated our top 5 picks based on price, network and expert analysis. Not every mobile plan will suit your needs, so be sure to weigh your options before picking the one that’s right for you.

Best prepaid mobile plan: TPG Small
Best value mobile plan: Dodo $30 Online Only Offer
Best mobile plan with unlimited data: felix Subscription Unlimited
Best 365-day mobile plan: Lyca Mobile Online Only Offer
Best high-data mobile plan: amaysim 95GB Plan

Our top picks were reviewed by senior utilities editor Mariam Gabaji.

Finder Score	Data allowance	Ongoing price	Special offer
Best prepaid mobile plan
8.1 TPG Small Finder AwardPrepaidNo lock-in contract SAVE $90 $30 $15 per month for first 6 months	8.1	30GB Vodafone 4G/5G network	$30 per month per month $30 per month per month	SAVE $90 $30 $15 per month for first 6 months	Discount: $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading	Why we like it We looked at prepaid plans that cost $30 a month or less. TPG is our top pick for the month, with its latest offer saving you $90 over 6 months. TPG was also the winner in the Best Value Prepaid Mobile Provider category at the 2026 Finder Mobile Awards. Pros The plan includes 100 international minutes and as many texts to 31 selected countries. Option to sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible handset. This takes the hassle of waiting for a physical SIM card to be delivered. Cons The price reverts to $30 a month after 6 months. However, it still stacks up well against other plans.
Best value mobile plan
9.1 Dodo $30 Online Only Offer PostpaidNo lock-in contract SAVE $90 $30 $15 per month for first 6 months	9.1	40GB Optus 4G/5G network	$30 per month per month $30 per month per month	SAVE $90 $30 $15 per month for first 6 months	Discount: $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth. Ends 30 Sep 2026. Plan price may change. T&Cs apply.	$20 RewardT&Cs apply T&Cs apply Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading	Why we like it We looked at mobile plans that cost between $25 and $35 a month and come with at least 25GB of data. Dodo’s 40GB plan takes the top spot this month. Its current offer will save you $90 over 6 months, and the ongoing price also compares well against our $1 per GB benchmark. Plus, you'll get a $20 digital Visa gift card when you sign up through Finder. Pros There are no excess data charges. If you run out of your monthly data allowance, the download speed will simply slow to 256Kbps. Unlimited data banking is available. Your unused data won’t ever go to waste as long as you stick with this plan. Includes $200 worth of international call credit. You can bundle mobile, internet and energy plans to save up to $15 a month. Cons The price will revert to $30 a month after 6 months. 5G download speeds are capped at 150Mbps, though this should be more than enough for streaming, browsing and gaming.
Best mobile plan with unlimited data
9.6 felix Subscription Unlimited Finder AwardMost LovedNo lock-in contract SAVE $80 $40 $20 per month for first 4 months	9.6	Unlimited Vodafone 4G/5G network	$40 per month per month $40 per month per month	SAVE $80 $40 $20 per month for first 4 months	Coupon code: $20/mth for first 4 months, then $40/mth. Ends 27 Sep 2026. Use promo code 4UNL. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading	Why we like it We looked at mobile plans in our database with truly unlimited data. felix's plan is the only one that qualified. Right now, you’ll save $80 over 4 months when you sign up to this plan. felix also won Best Unlimited Data Mobile Provider at the 2026 Finder Mobile Awards and received multiple accolades in Finder's 2026 Mobile Providers Customer Satisfaction Awards. These include Most Loved Mobile Provider, Most Trusted Mobile Provider and Legendary Service Mobile Provider. Pros You can sign up with an eSIM if you have a compatible handset. felix plants a tree monthly for every active subscription. Option to add on international roaming if you’re heading overseas. Cons The price will revert to $40 a month after 4 months. Download speeds are capped at 40Mbps throughout. However, this is good enough for streaming Netflix in HD, scrolling through social media, browsing and more.
Best 365-day mobile plan
9.3 Lyca Mobile Online Only Offer PrepaidNo lock-in contract SAVE $180 $360 $180 for first recharge	9.3	600GB Vodafone 4G/5G network	$360 per 360 day recharge per 360 day recharge $360 per 360 days expiry per 360 days expiry	SAVE $180 $360 $180 for first recharge	Discount: $180 for first recharge, then $360/recharge. T&Cs apply.	$20 RewardT&Cs apply T&Cs apply Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading	Why we like it We looked at 365-day mobile plans under $350 with at least 300GB and found Lyca Mobile’s Online Only Offer plan to be a standout this month. With the current offer, the cost is about $15 a month for 50GB of data in your first year. Plus, you'll get a $20 digital Visa gift card when you sign up through Finder. Lyca Mobile also won Best Long Expiry Prepaid Mobile Provider at the 2026 Finder Mobile Awards. Pros Includes unlimited international calls to 35 selected countries. Access to Vodafone’s 4G and 5G networks. Not many long-expiry plans in our database include 5G access. You can roll over up to 500GB of unused data. Option to sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible handset. Cons The price will revert to $360 from the second recharge. Unlike some long-expiry plans, Lyca Mobile splits its data into 30-day blocks. It’s still a generous allowance, but worth noting if your usage changes throughout the year. You’ll get charged extra for using its Multimedia Messaging Service ($0.62 per MMS).
Best high-data mobile plan
9.5 amaysim 95GB Plan PrepaidNo lock-in contract SAVE $60 + BONUS DATA $45 $35 for first 6 recharges 95GB 250GB for first 6 recharges	9.5	95GB Optus 4G/5G network	$45 per 28 day recharge per 28 day recharge $45 per 28 days expiry per 28 days expiry	SAVE $60 + BONUS DATA $45 $35 for first 6 recharges 95GB 250GB for first 6 recharges	Discount and bonus data: 250GB for $35 for first 6 recharges, then 95GB for $45/recharge. Ends 27 Sep 2026. T&Cs apply.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading	Why we like it We looked at mobile plans with a monthly data allowance of at least 50GB. amaysim came out on top this time around. Its latest offer will give you 250GB for $35 on your first 6 recharges. amaysim was also highly commended for value, reliability, trust and quality service in Finder’s 2026 Mobile Customer Satisfaction Awards. Pros It offers unlimited data banking, letting you save all your unused data. Unlimited international calls and texts to 42 selected countries. Option to sign up with an eSIM if you have a compatible handset. Save $10 a month when you bundle your internet and mobile plans with amaysim. You can link your number to a compatible smartwatch. Cons The price and data allowance will revert to $45 for 95GB from the seventh recharge. A 28-day expiry period means you’ll end up paying 13 bills over the year instead of 12. 5G download speeds are capped at 200Mbps, but this is fast enough for online activities on your phone, such as streaming and gaming.

Best iPhone, Samsung and Google Pixel plans

Telstra, Optus and Vodafone allow you to pay for your phone in monthly instalments over 12, 24 or 36 months.

However, it’s difficult to pick a single top iPhone, Samsung or Google Pixel plan since budgets and priorities vary.

Instead, you can compare phone plans from the major brands for every model, not just the newest and use the filters to find the best deal for you.

Compare iPhone plans

Compare Samsung plans

Compare Google Pixel plans

How do you find the best mobile plan?

The best mobile plan for you will depend on your personal preferences. Here are some of the things to consider to help get you started:

Do you want access to a particular mobile network?

While there are dozens of mobile plan retailers, there are just 3 network operators. Coverage varies by network and location, so check each provider's coverage map for your area before choosing.

You can check coverage in your area online before you sign up because even in metropolitan areas, there may be coverage gaps.

phone with arrows pointing to opposite direction

How much data do you need?

The average Australian uses 14.5GB a month according to the ACCC's Internet Activity Report.

You can use our mobile data usage calculator to get an estimate of how much data you use, but it's also a good idea to check your latest bill.

Knowing how much data you need will stop you from overpaying on your mobile plan.

What features are must haves for you?

When choosing our top picks, we considered a broad range of features that are useful to have, including data rollover, Wi-Fi calling and international calls and texts.

That being said, you may just be happy with a regular plan with national calls and texts and data. If that sounds like you, don't be fooled by fancy extras and stick to a simpler plan for cheaper instead.

Buying outright vs phone on a plan

Buying outright will always be cheaper in the long run as you won't be tied to the major telcos and their premium prices.

However, phone repayment plans can work out better if you don't want to pay a hefty amount upfront.

If you do end up getting a new phone on a plan, you'll need to decide which repayment period works best. You can typically choose between 12-, 24- and 36-months.

You can read our guide to buying outright vs on a plan for more tips.

Haven't found what you're looking for?

We've got a lot more plans and deals for you to compare.

Compare mobile plans

Frequently asked questions

Telstra has the widest network coverage in Australia, with Optus and Vodafone following close behind.
But you don’t need to go straight to the big providers! There are over 40 smaller telcos that offer mobile plans on these networks, often at a lower cost.
Check out our guide to see how switching to a smaller provider could help you save.
The cheapest provider may not always be the best but that's why we went to have a few different comparison experiences depending on what you're after.
You can either:
- Compare cheap mobile plans if you're on a tight budget
- Or, check out the top 10 mobile phone providers popular among Finder users
The gap between prepaid and postpaid plans has gotten smaller. Even if a provider offers a postpaid plan, it's likely you'll need to pay upfront.
The main difference between the two comes down to expiry periods. Postpaid plans are mostly month-to-month, whereas prepaid plans have 7-, 28-, 30-, 180- or 365-day expiries among others.
You can checkout our guide breaking down prepaid vs postpaid plans to decide which one best fits your bill.

Sources

Written by

Mariam Gabaji

Senior Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

Add to Preferred Sources

Mariam Gabaji is a journalist with 13 years of experience, specialising in consumer topics like mobile services and energy costs. Her work appears in the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, The Guardian, SBS, 7News, A Current Affair and Money Magazine. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and was a finalist for the 2024 and 2025 IT Journalism Award for Best Telecommunications Journalist. See full bio

Mariam's expertise

Mariam has written 623 Finder guides across topics including:

Energy
Mobile
Broadband
Consumer tech

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16 Responses

RoyAugust 7, 2019

Optus have offered, on a 24 month plan, a new iPhone 7 with unlimited text and national calls together with 10GB of data discounted to $45.20 per month. Is this a good deal?

NikkiAugust 8, 2019

Hi Roy,

Thanks for getting in touch! It’s helpful to know that when choosing a mobile plan, it should be one that fits your monthly budget and lifestyle. Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.

Best,
Nikki

SamyMarch 14, 2018

Hi,
I would like to know which MVNO using full strength 4G network for voice and data. I heard that Boost is using Telstra’s full network and Virgin is using Optus. Is there any other MVNO using full strength network for both voice and data ??
Cheers!
Samy

Finder

JoshuaMarch 22, 2018Finder

Hi Samy,

Thanks for getting in touch with Finder.

The network strength depends on different factors such as time and place. However, in terms of network coverage, the service an MVNO offers shouldn’t differ in any way at all from the service that you’d get from the underlying network provider at the same location. That makes sense because it’s the exact same network infrastructure. If there’s an outage or a reception problem with an MVNO, it’s a question of the underlying carrier’s network, not the MVNO.

We also have a list of MVNOs along with the networks they use. Please check and see if it answers your question.

I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.

Have a wonderful day!

Cheers,
Joshua

ZitaMarch 6, 2018

I need a new mobile phone (keeping my existing mobile number) + prepaid monthly plan to receive incoming calls from work and reply back fast and easy … as my job based on how fast I receive the messages from work and can take the shift … so coverage is important … between Caboolture, the Sunshine Coast and Bribie Island . Best/lowest price deals with fast and safe/reliable network even in rain/storm? Any suggestions? Thanks*

Finder

MayMarch 7, 2018Finder

Hi Zita,

Thanks for your inquiry.

In terms of speed, calls, and messaging, all Australian telcos are largely using 3G networks. So we couldn’t single out who’s fast and who’s not. You may compare your phone plan using our comparison table and search filters to help narrow down your options. Please see the image below:

Mobile plan+phone

Once you have chosen a particular plan, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
May

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Best mobile plans in Australia September 2026