Our team of mobile plan experts have compared 155 mobile plans on the Telstra network from 22 mobile providers in Australia. We've curated 7 top picks based on price, data and expert analysis. Not every mobile plan will suit your needs so make sure you compare your options before choosing the right one for you.
Best mobile plans on the Telstra network for September 2024
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $25: Tangerine 12GB 4G SIM
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $30: Belong 25GB
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $40: Tangerine 32GB 5G SIM
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $50: Belong 40GB
Best prepaid plan on the Telstra network: Boost $35 SIM
Best 5G mobile plan on the Telstra network: ALDI $29 5G Plan
Best 12 month Telstra network plan: Boost $230 SIM
Option to bank up to 500GB of data for future use.
You can easily sign up via an eSIM as long as you have a compatible phone.
Tangerine was highly commended in the SIM Only Provider - Value category in the 2024 Finder Product Awards.
You'll be charged $3.50 for non-direct debit payments.
No bundling discount available for those on a Tangerine NBN plan.
Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $264
Why we chose it
To find the best Telstra network mobile plan under $25, we looked at mobile plans on Finder that run on both the full and wholesale Telstra network and cost under $25 per month. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the mobile plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Top pick: Best Telstra network mobile plan under $30
Belong 25GB
Unlimited Calls & Text
25GB data. Slowed down to 1Mbps after full speed data used up
You can bank all of your unused data without worrying about any limits. All you have to do is keep renewing the plan before it expires.
You can share data with other Belong users.
Option to add on international roaming or unlimited international calls to 30 destinations for an additional $5 a month.
4G and 5G download speeds are capped at 150Mbps. However, this is fast enough for most online activities.
Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $360
Why we chose it
To find the best Telstra network mobile plan under $30, we compared mobile plans on Finder that run on both the full and wholesale Telstra networks and cost under $30 per month. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Top pick: Best Telstra network mobile plan under $40
Easily sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible handset.
Unlimited calls and texts to 15 selected countries including Bangladesh, China, India, Hong Kong, Greece, the UK and Thailand.
4G and 5G download speeds are capped at 100Mbps though this is still fast enough for most online activities.
Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $396
Why we chose it
To find the best Telstra network mobile plan under $40, we looked at Telstra network mobile plans on Finder that cost under $40 per month. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Top pick: Best Telstra network mobile plan under $50
Belong 40GB
Unlimited Calls & Text
40GB data. Slowed down to 1Mbps after full speed data used up
You can add unlimited international calls and texts to 30 destinations for an extra $5 a month. This can be a handy add-on to have in case your needs change.
Option to share data with other Belong mobile and data users.
If you're after more data you can check out Belong's 100GB plan, which costs $45 a month.
Download speeds are capped at 150Mbps though this is good enough for browsing, streaming, gaming and more.
Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $420
Why we chose it
We looked at Telstra network mobile plans on Finder that cost under $50 per month. We then gave each shortlisted plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Top pick: Best prepaid Telstra network mobile plan
Boost $35 SIM
Unlimited Calls & Text
25GB data
$35 per
28 days
70GB for $12 for the first recharge, then 25GB for $35/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 30.9.24
It's the only small provider to offer access to the full Telstra 4G and 5G networks.
You'll get 45GB bonus data on the first recharge. This can be handy if you find your data needs have suddenly changed.
The plan features unlimited international calls and texts to 20 selected destinations, 300 minutes to 30 selected destinations and 300 texts to any country.
Data allowance drops to 25GB from the second recharge.
4G and 5G download speeds at 150Mbps.
Mobile network: Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $397
Why we chose it
We compared prepaid plans on Finder that run on the full and wholesale Telstra network for $35 or under per month. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
The unlimited data rollover feature lets you bank unused data for future needs.
Unlimited international calls and texts to 20 selected countries.
It has a handy mobile app that lets you check your balance, set up auto recharge, add data and more.
5G download speeds are capped at 100Mbps though this should still be good enough for most online activities.
Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $348
Why we chose it
We compared mobile plans on Finder that run on the full and wholesale 5G Telstra network for $35 or under per month. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Top pick: Best 12-month Telstra network mobile plan
Access the full Telstra network rather than the wholesale one - Boost is the only prepaid provider outside of Telstra itself that offers this.
International roaming packs available to add on for selected destinations.
Download speeds are capped at 150Mbps on the 4G and 5G networks.
This plan will no longer be available after 21 October. However, you can still take advantage of this offer for the first year and then always compare other options closer to the date of expiry.
Mobile network: Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $230
Why we chose it
We compared 12-month and 365-day prepaid mobile plans on Finder that run on the full and wholesale Telstra network for $250 or under per year, including any promotional deals. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data, network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
What are the Telstra network providers in Australia?
There are almost 20 smaller providers or MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that use Telstra's mobile network.
Keep in mind that access to Telstra's mobile network works in 2 ways:
Full Telstra network coverage. This is only available through Telstra itself and Boost Mobile. JB Hi-Fi's mobile plans are a bit of a special case as it resells Telstra's plans under its own brand so it also gets full access. This covers 99.5% of Australians.
Wholesale Telstra network coverage. All other MVNOs run off the wholesale network, which covers 98.8% of Australians in comparison. While the difference is only 0.7%, those in regional and rural areas may be affected by the slight decrease in coverage.
We've broken down all the Telstra network providers available on Finder.
Provider
Network
5G
Telstra
Full Telstra
✅
Boost Mobile
Full Telstra
✅
JB Hi-Fi
Full Telstra
✅
Alphacall
Wholesale Telstra
❌
Belong
Wholesale Telstra
✅
ALDImobile
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Everyday Mobile
Wholesale Telstra
✅
TeleChoice
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Tangerine Telecom
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Pennytel
Wholesale Telstra
✅
TelSim
Wholesale Telstra
✅
numobile
Wholesale Telstra
✅
MATE Mobile
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Konec
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Exetel Mobile
Wholesale Telstra
✅
CMobile
Wholesale Telstra
✅
More
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Goodtel
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Superloop
Wholesale Telstra
✅
BetterLife
Wholesale Telstra
❌
Escapenet
Wholesale Telstra
❌
Having the option for a 5G trial allows you to test speeds before committing to a 5G mobile plan down the line as they can come with the heavier price tag.
You can see the difference between the full Telstra network coverage and wholesale coverage in the images below.
How do you find the best mobile plan on the Telstra network?
The key here is to understand the difference between full Telstra coverage and wholesale.
Apart from Boost Mobile, other smaller providers using Telstra have access to its wholesale 4G network which covers 98.8% of the Aussie population compared to 99.5% on the full network.
Unless you live in a very remote area, Telstra's wholesale network should suit you well.
Our expert says
"If you aren't sure Telstra's wholesale network will suit your needs or location, sign up to a cheap plan and take it for a spin. On the off chance that you do notice a difference, just ditch the plan and sign up with Boost Mobile or Telstra itself."
"I've been with Boost Mobile for 4 years now and have definitely noticed the difference of being on the full Telstra network, compared to the wholesale network. If my partner and I are hiking in the Blue Mountains, his reception will usually fizzle out before mine as he's with Everyday Mobile which runs on the slightly smaller wholesale network."
With Woolworths Mobile, you can get a mobile plan on its own or pair your SIM with a phone plan. It stocks the latest Samsung S23 or other popular Android devices.
You will also get 10% off your monthly groceries (up to $50) with a Woolworths Mobile plan
Data banking is available on most plans up to 500GB
Offers unlimited international calls to 22 countries on most of its plans, otherwise you can add on for an extra $5 a month
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