Cheap mobile plans in Australia
Compare cheap mobile phone plans starting from just $10 a month.
What are the cheapest phone plans in Australia?
Here's our list of the top 10 cheapest mobile plan in our database as of July 2025 with at least 1GB of data.
| Provider | Cost | Data allowance | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cmobile Red | $10 per month | 1GB | Read review |
| Alphacall | $18 per month | 5GB | Read review |
| TeleChoice | $19 per month | 8GB | Read review |
| Pennytel | $20 per month | 5GB | Read review |
| SpinTel | $14 per month for 6 months, then $22 per month ongoing | 25GB | Read review |
| Dodo | $23 per month | 30GB per month for 3 months, then 15GB per month ongoing | Sign up here |
| Tangerine Mobile | $23 per month | 12GB | Read review |
| Goodtel | $23 per month | 5GB | Read review |
| E.Tel | $12 per month for 3 months, then $23.90 per month ongoing | 12GB | Read review |
| Southern Phone | $24 per month | 20GB | 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 only 13.4GB 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 $27 a month on average with smaller providers - much lower than the $60 typically spent with the big three, according to data from our Consumer Sentiment Tracker.
Frequently asked questions
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