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When you buy a postpaid mobile plan, you're agreeing to pay a fixed amount every month in return for data, texts and calls.
The majority of postpaid plans come with unlimited talk and text, and anywhere in the range of 0-500GB of monthly data.
There are 2 main kinds of postpaid plans you can get:
These come as just a SIM card so you'll either need to use your current phone or buy a new phone outright to use with the plan.
These come as a SIM card with a phone handset (either new or refurbished depending on your choice).
On a postpaid plan, when you run out of data, you'll either be charged automatically for excess data, or have your download speed slowed down with no excess charges until the month rolls over.
Postpaid plans will refresh automatically at the end of each month until you cancel them.
Some providers also offer a choice of a 12- or 24-month lock-in contract.
It used to be that prepaid plans were paid at the start of the month and postpaid plans at the end.
However, with some providers charging upfront for postpaid plans, this line has been blurred.
Instead, the biggest difference between the 2 types of plans is what happens when you use up your data.
Learn more: For a full explanation of the differences, check out our guide on prepaid vs postpaid mobile plans.
While price is probably going to be the biggest factor, you should also consider a couple of other things to get the best postpaid plan:
The best postpaid plan for you will be one that suits your budget and your needs.
We suggest keeping your options open and going for one that comes with no lock-in contract.
I don't like being locked into a contract, and that is why I chose a postpaid SIM deal with Optus. Another factor that helped me decide whether a postpaid plan is right for me is that I rarely change phones. It was a no brainer.— Raj Lal, Publisher
What's actually considered cheap will vary from person to person.
We've found that the median price of postpaid plans in the Finder database is $30, which means anything under $20 per month could be considered cheap.
For $20, you'll usually get somewhere between 1GB and 10GB of data, depending on the provider.
Some promotional deals may offer better than that, but you'll rarely find anything cheaper than 1GB or 2GB for $10 as an entry-level mobile plan.
There's no blanket rule as to whether postpaid plans are always cheaper than prepaid, however, the general view is that prepaid plans offer more options on the cheaper end of the scale than postpaid.
On Finder, the most expensive postpaid plan comes in at $100 a month, whereas prepaid is $70 a month.
However, rather than thinking about what type of plan is cheaper, we'd recommend looking at the actual plan inclusions and choosing a plan that works for your needs.
Yes, currently the only truly unlimited postpaid plan in Australia comes from Vodafone for $85 a month.
Besides this, other "unlimited" data postpaid plans are available from the other 2 major providers: Telstra, and Optus. This is how they usually work:
1. Use up your full speed monthly data first. Your plan will function normally with full speeds until you use up your regular monthly allowance of data. Full speeds means you'll get mobile download speeds as fast as possible in your current coverage area.
2. Then switch to your "unlimited" data allowance. Once your full speed data has been used up (i.e. you've reached your monthly data limit), you'll automatically be allowed to continue using your mobile data without being charged for it.
3. Expect slower download speeds. You can keep using your mobile data without being charged until the end of the month. While full speeds usually mean you'll get 50Mbps or so, your "unlimited" data is restricted to a maximum speed of 20Mbps, depending on the provider and plan.
As you can see, this isn't truly "unlimited" and comes with a harsh speed cap. 1.5Mbps is pretty slow so you might find some difficulties in streaming video.
The good thing is that you won't get hit with excess data charges on these "unlimited" data mobile plans, so you won't need to pay anything more on top of your usual monthly plan price.
The best postpaid mobile provider will depend on how much data you need, the features you're after and the mobile network you'd like.
Here are the postpaid mobile providers in Australia:
Keep in mind that some of these providers also offer prepaid plans.
You can also check out our guide to the best mobile plans to see our experts' top picks for this month, chosen from all the plans in our database.
If you already have a phone you like, you'll be buying a SIM-only postpaid plan. But postpaid plans can also be paired with a new handset from a number of providers including:
While TeleChoice and numobile focus on refurbished phones with their plans, if you're looking to grab the latest iPhone or Samsung, we'd suggest having a look at Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.
You can view our various guides below to see what each provider has to offer.
 
Just keep in mind that the difference between buying a phone outright and buying it from a postpaid provider is the convenience of being able to pay for it in monthly instalments rather than all at once.
The RRP of the phone never changes whether you buy it outright or from a provider.
If it's the latest model being released, you might also score some bonus freebies such as free headphones, a smartwatch or even a TV.
The monthly cost of your phone bill will be the handset repayment fee (which depends on your chosen contract term) and the price of the plan you choose from the provider.
We know our stuff. We pour over hundreds of mobile plans every month. It's exhausting. But worth it.
You can rely on us. We're constantly updating and fact-checking our data on dozens of Aussie telcos.
We're here to help. We've helped millions of Aussies find better mobile phone plan. And we'll keep doing it.
Images: Apple, Samsung
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I am happy with my plan at the moment just need a new phone why can’t l have it. I have been with them OPTUS for over 30 years l think it disgusting know a pensioner and am struggling with health issues.
Hi Helen,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
Optus does have a retention program in place for these types of situations. You may need to call their customer support number but I would not be able to guarantee this. Here is the number that you could dial: 13 39 37 Mon – Fri: 9am – 6pm. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
I have just ordered a phone with Vodafone and Qantas and I have to sign a form with you but I don’t know where it is
Hi Eve,
You’ve come through to finder.com.au. We’re an online comparison service that doesn’t represent Vodafone. I would recommend giving Voda’s customer service team call on 1300 650 410.
Thanks,
Brodie