We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
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What is a business phone plan?
Business phone plans are designed for businesses to give to their employees, so they can keep in touch with clients and co-workers.
If you're running a business with multiple employees that need work numbers, it makes sense to look at getting a business mobile plan to make it easier for organisational or tax purposes.
They have different inclusions to personal mobile plans because people tend to use their phones differently for business than they would for recreation.
Business plans are also designed for lots of employees to share inclusions.
They also often have better access to support, because the consequences of a business phone being down are much harsher than that of a personal phone.
Keep in mind: SME's and larger enterprises reap the most rewards with a business mobile plan. Business phone plans won't really benefit sole traders (depending on how you handle tax).
Is it worth getting a business mobile plan?
Depending on the size of your business, a mobile plan specifically designed for work may or may not benefit your organisation.
Pros
Designed specifically for business. Many also allow you to tailor the plans specifically to suit your business needs. For example, if you need international call inclusions to keep in touch with international clients, or have multiple employees who can share a data pool.
Lots of options available. Businesses come in so many different flavours – a cheese factory and game development studio would have vastly different calling and data needs, so providers have plenty of options to make sure you get the right plan.
Extra value. Because most businesses are signing up for a bunch of mobile plans at once, providers will often kick in extra perks like international call inclusions, or discounts.
Cons
Cost and contracts. These plans tend to be more expensive than regular mobile plans and often have long contracts. Think carefully about whether a business plan or a regular account with multiple personal plans is better for you.
Note for sole traders:
You don't need to have a business phone plan to be able to claim your phone on tax. You can claim the portion you use for business on a regular, personal phone plan. This will be the most cost-effective choice for most sole traders who only have 1 phone.
How do I compare business phone plans?
There are a lot of options in the business mobile world, and your needs will be different from other businesses. Here are some things to consider besides the cost of your plan.
Business support
This is the main thing business plans offer over personal ones. If this is something that's important to you, make sure you're being offered tech support and personalised service in the way you prefer.
Network coverage
Telstra covers the most places in Australia, so if your business will take your employees out into rural and regional areas, a plan on the Telstra network may be worth the extra dollars it costs.
Flexibility
What you need this quarter might not be the same as what you need next quarter. In many businesses, being able to reduce costs quickly can be vital. While all providers will let you add plans and upgrade to more expensive ones with more inclusions, make sure the one you choose will also let you move down to a cheaper plan and even remove plans in case of tough times.
Handsets
Do you already have devices you can give to your employees? The major providers will often have device bundles available to sign up to which can be convenient, but could you get a better discount on bulk phones elsewhere?
Data
How much data do you really need? Consider whether a large data pool shared amongst employees is a good option, or if you'd rather each employee has their own set amount of data each month.
What is the best business mobile plan in Australia?
As each business is so wildly different from the next, it's impossible to pick a mobile plan that will best suit every business.
Many businesses may prefer to sign up to a larger, more established provider, but that's not to say you won't get excellent service and cheaper prices from smaller providers too.
We've broken down the main offerings from the 3 largest business mobile providers in Australia to give you a taste of what's on offer.
Telstra business mobile plans
Telstra's business phone plans operate in the same sizes as its general consumer plans, with Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large plans. All include:
Data, from 40GB–180GB
Data sharing between plans on the 1 account
Unlimited standard national calls and texts
Medium and above plans include the 5G network
No excess data charges in Australia
The option to add a phone to each plan for an added monthly cost spread over 24–36 months
Good to know: To get the right mix of plans for your business, Telstra encourages you to book an appointment with one of the company's dedicated small business experts.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
Optus offers a huge range of plans to suit every kind of business with 1–300 plans able to be put on the same account and share data.
Good to know: Companies that require 10+ SIMs are encouraged to talk to an account manager to tailor data allowances, monthly rates and device inclusions to suit their business.
Here are the details of the plans available to every business without negotiation:
Plans start from $50 month-to-month or $47.50 on a 24-month plan or $45 on a 36-month plan – prices get cheaper the more SIMs you're after
50GB of data, which accumulates and pools with other phones on the same account
Unlimited standard talk and text
Unlimited international talk and text to selected countries
Multiple service discount for total number of Business Mobile Plus services on the 1 plan, starting at 10% for 2, and up to 34% for 12+
Option to add $10 roaming packs for business trips
For businesses that need 6+ plans with devices, there are Tech Fund plans. These plans include:
Device credits from $300–$1,800, depending on the plan and length of contract
Up to 10GB of included international roaming data each month
Data ranging from 6GB–200GB (which is pooled)
The option to blend different plans on the 1 account (such as cheaper plans with no roaming for local sales reps, and plans with 10GB roaming inclusions for regional managers)
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
Vodafone offers the most affordable plans of the big 3 telcos, along with including some added features.
Good to know: If your employees need to travel overseas, the $5 a day roaming add on will allow them to keep the same number without breaking the budget.
Vodafone has 3 types of business plans:
Team plans. These allow data sharing between employees, and you can add a phone onto the individual plans. This is for when you have fewer than 10 services on the 1 account.
SIM only Business Flex mobile plans. Best for teams of 10+, which includes the use of a personal account manager.
Tech Fund Business Flex plans. These include credit towards buying handsets, as well as the use of a personal account manager.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
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Finder’s Future of Telecommunications report explores the major trends shaping the future of mobile and broadband markets.
Alice Clarke is an award-winning freelance journalist, producer and presenter, as well as co-curator of the PAX Aus Together Lounge. In her 15 years as a journalist she’s appeared in The Age, Herald Sun Finder, Gizmodo, Kotaku, the ABC, Stevivor, Cracked, Curve and many other publications.
