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Compare SIM only plans
You can use the filters in the comparison table below to customise your results and find the most suitable plan for you needs.
Why should you get a SIM only plan?
SIM only plans (or BYO phone plans) are great if you want to switch between plans easily or don't want your monthly phone bill to include the price of a new phone handset.
You'll get all the bells and whistles you'd expect from regular mobile plans such as data, calls and text messages, all through a small SIM card.
A SIM only plan will also let you:
- Use the phone you already have or buy one outright.
- Switch to a cheaper provider when a new offer comes up.
- Upgrade your phone whenever you want since you're not tied to a contract.
What type of SIM only plan can you get?
If you've decided that getting a SIM only plan is the best option, the next step is to choose between a prepaid and a postpaid plan.
Getting on a prepaid or a postpaid SIM only plan allows you to shop around and switch to a provider with better rates whenever you want.
These days, there's not too much difference in features between the 2, except for when you pay your bill.
Types of SIM only plans
Prepaid SIM only plans
You can get 3 types of prepaid plans:
- Pay as you go. Top up credit when you need.
- Month-to-month. Pay every 28 or 30 days.
- Long-expiry. Pay upfront for up to 12 months.
Watch out for how much data you use before your next recharge. Once you run out, you won't have any more mobile data to use.
Postpaid SIM only plans
These plans:
- Are paid for at the end of each month.
- Will almost always include unlimited calls and text messages within Australia.
Watch out for additional excess usage costs. Unlike prepaid plans, you'll get charged for any data you use over your monthly allowance.
How can you find the right SIM only plan?
You're likely after a SIM only plan for 1 of 5 reasons:
- You want to lower the cost of your monthly bill.
- You can afford to buy a phone outright.
- Your contract is up and now you want a no-strings-attached phone plan until your next upgrade.
- You're after a no-lock-in contract.
- You have a secondary phone that will suit a no-frills plan.
Keeping the above in mind, you'll need to consider a few things before hunting down the right SIM only deal for you.
Think about:
- What network you're after. You'll choose from the Optus, Telstra or Vodafone networks. Smaller providers known as MVNOs will often offer full coverage from any of the big telcos at cheaper prices.
- Extra features you'd like with your plan. This can include data rollover, international calls, bill shock protection and even discounts on your groceries.
- How much data is right for your usage. Choose an amount that you will actually use to get the best-value SIM only plan for your money.
After that, it's as simple as filtering your results in our comparison table above to find the best deals.
- Good to know: The June 2018 ABS Internet Activity Survey claimed that Aussies were using 9GB a month on their mobiles. You may want more or less data depending on your needs.
What can you get on a SIM only plan?
Popular features with a SIM only plan include "unlimited" data, data rollover, data-free streaming, bill shock protection and unlimited domestic calls and texts.
To learn more about a feature, click on the headings below.
What's the cheapest SIM only plan?
The cheapest SIM only plans in our database are either PAYG plans or plans with short expiry periods.
- Cheapest SIM only plan overall: Optus Flex $1 per day
- Cheap SIM only month-to-month plan: Moose 1GB $8.80 per month
PAYG mobile plans are a type of prepaid mobile plan with a set amount of call and text credit and no data inclusions.
- Good for: People who don't use their phones very much (1–5 days in a month) or anyone who needs a secondary SIM for their spare phone.
You can also get a short-term expiry plan that lasts between 1 and 7 days but again, these aren't helpful for daily usage and are geared towards travellers.
Instead, we recommend using the filters in our comparison table, setting the price to suit your budget and finding yourself the cheapest SIM only plan for your needs.
- Good to know: On average, Aussies are paying $56 a month for 40GB of data.
What's the best SIM only plan?
There's no such thing as one size fits all on mobile plans. But arguably, the 3 big telcos offer better perks and features than their smaller counterparts.
In fact, 78% of Australians are with either Telstra, Vodafone or Optus, likely for this very reason.
Here's what you'll get for signing up with any of the 3 network giants.
Note: Prices and data inclusions were last updated December 2021. We've chosen to list the base prices of the plans below, with no promotional pricing showing.
Telstra
Postpaid mobile plans
Telstra's contract-free upfront mobile plans start at $55 monthly for 40GB. You also get:
- 5G network access if you choose the Medium plan or above.
- Data sharing with up to 10 upfront mobile or data services attached to your account.
- Data-free streaming of live sport.
Prepaid mobile plans
Telstra's prepaid plans start at $10 for 2GB (7-day expiry) or $30 for 10GB for its cheapest 28-day prepaid offer. You also get:
- Unlimited calls and texts to domestic numbers.
- 4G network access.
- Data rollover of up to 200GB
- 5G network access with a compatible device.
- Data sharing with other Optus plans on the same account.
- Optus Sport and OS Fitness for free.
- Data rollover of up to 200GB if you recharge before expiry.
- 10 GB free streaming data for Netflix, Stan and ABC Kids.
- Unlimited international calls to 15 countries.
- Data sharing with up to 10 other devices.
- Free 100 minutes for international calls to 37 countries on Lite+ plan and above.
- Infinite data, which means no excess usage charges. Speeds will be capped once you've gone through data inclusions within your plan.
- Data rollover of up to 200GB data.
- $5 off with every automatic recharge.
- 500 international minutes to 37 countries.
Optus
Postpaid mobile plans
Prices start at $45 for 20GB per month with no lock-in contract or excess fees for going over your data allowance. You also get:
Prepaid mobile plans
Choose between Optus's Epic Data or 365-day plans. You could pay as little as $1 for 1GB daily, $30 per month for 40GB (28-day expiry) or $300 for 300GB for 1 year.
Depending on your plan, you could also get:
Vodafone
Postpaid mobile plans
Prices start at $40 for 10GB for Vodafone's month-to-month postpaid plans. But it offers regular discounts with high data inclusions.
You also get:
Prepaid mobile plans
Pay as little as $30 for 40GB for Vodafone's 28-day expiry prepaid plan. Otherwise, its 6- and 12-month expiry plans will set you back $150 for 80GB and $250 for 150GB respectively.
You also get: