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Prepaid mobile plans
Get a cheap prepaid plan with no contract. Compare and you could save up to $360 a year.
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We don't charge extra. Prices shown on Finder are the same as those you get directly from mobile plan providers.
We regularly work with providers to deliver amazing exclusive offers you won't find anywhere else.
We have a team dedicated to monitoring mobile plan prices and keeping deals updated daily.
What is the best prepaid mobile plan?
While there isn't a singular prepaid plan that will be the best for everyone, we've done our best to help you filter out the noise. Our team of experts spends the first week of each month crunching the latest mobile deals to find the best value plans over various categories to suit your needs.
For April 2024, the best value prepaid plans are:
Top pick: Value
50GB
$15
per
month
for the first 3 months
then 50GB for $30.
T&Cs apply. Use code FELIX50. Ends 30.6.24
Top pick: Cheap
10GB
$17
per
30 days expiry
10GB for $10
for the first recharge.
T&Cs apply. Ends 30.4.24
Top pick: High data
Finder Award
Unlimited data
At speeds up to 20Mbps
$20
per
month
for the first 3 months
then Unlimited Data for $40.
T&Cs apply. Use code FELIX50. Ends 30.6.24
How much can you save with a cheaper prepaid mobile plan?
We've calculated potential savings over a 12-month period by comparing the price difference between the cheapest and most expensive prepaid plans on Finder (as of April 2024).
We looked at 4 common monthly data limits and found the average savings to be $170.85. Here's the full list of savings for each data allowance:
Our calculations are based on the monthly plan fee (either 28 or 30-day expiry) over 12 months excluding any promotional discounts for new customers. This means your actual savings could be even more if you find a good promotion.
We have not included 1-7 day or longer expiry plans or factored network into our calculation. Network coverage may vary.
Expert tip: Besides price and data, consider which expiry period works best for you. While month-to-month plans offer flexibility, long expiry prepaid plans are a great way to save if you're comfortable with sticking to a set amount of inclusions for a year.
Prepaid plans are fuss-free, with most of them offering unlimited calls and texts with a monthly data allowance.
The main caveat is if you use up your data before the end of the expiry period, you'll need to pay for an additional recharge to get back online.
This might mean you end up spending more for on your mobile bills than you would on a postpaid plan or one with a higher data limit.
Other pros and cons include:
Pros
No "surprise charges" such as excess data fees
Flexibility to recharge with how much data you need
Cons
May be left high and dry without data if allowance is used up before your next recharge
Could end up paying more than 12 bills in the year on a 28-day expiry plan
Prepaid plans used to be those plans where you'd run out of credit and have to line up at Woolworths to get it recharged. They're much easier these days - I have a prepaid plan that I essentially set and forget thanks to auto-recharges being enabled. My plan automatically renews itself after each expiry period so I don't have to worry about it.
The gap between prepaid and postpaid mobile plans is getting smaller but prepaid plans come out to be cheaper overall. Postpaid plans have become slightly more expensive but you’re also getting more data in return.
According to the 2022-23 ACCC Communications market report, the median monthly retail prices across both prepaid and postpaid plans has remained at a flat $35 for the last 3 years.
How do prepaid plans work?
Prepaid plans are simple to use. There are no lock-in contracts so you have heaps of flexibility if your mobile plan happen to change through the year. If you aren't happy with your service, you can easily switch to a new provider while keeping your existing phone number.
Compare and choose a plan. Decide how much data you need, what price you're willing to pay and if you need any additional features. Once you've found a plan that meets your criteria you'll just need to pay upfront.
Use your plan. You can keep making calls and using data until your inclusions run out or your plan expires.
Recharge. Also called a renewal or "top-up". You can choose the same amount of data as you had last time or choose another option depending on what you think you'll use.
Keep in mind: While you can cancel a prepaid plan at any time, you'll forfeit any remaining data or other inclusions.
What are recharges or renewals?
Recharges or renewals allow you to resume the same plan once the expiry period ends.
If you're happy with your prepaid plan and the amount of data you have, you may be able to set up an auto-recharge with your chosen provider.
Your provider will automatically renew your plan for you when you run out of data. This saves you from having to remember to top up each month, although you'll need to be careful not to run out of inclusions too early.
Just keep in mind that some providers have auto-renewal set up as a default. You'll need to use the app or online portal to disable this.
What types of prepaid SIMs are there?
There are 3 main types of prepaid plans you can choose from:
Types of prepaid plans
Month-to-month
Data allowance with a 28- to 30-day expiry period (some also last a full month, so 30 or 31 days).
Often includes unlimited calls and texts within Australia.
Good for: People with smaller budgets and those who want flexibility.
Some providers allow data rollover or data banking so you can keep any data you didn't use after your plan expires. This is a great way to get the most value out of your plan.
Some prepaid calls include unlimited international calls or a limited amount of international call credit. Calls are generally limited to lists of certain countries (this varies by provider). Great for users with family and friends overseas with limited other ways to connect.
A few providers such as felix and Vodafone offer "endless" or "infinite" data on some prepaid plans. In felix's case you get unlimited data capped at a speed of 20Mbps while with Vodafone you get infinite data at speeds of up to 1.5Mbps once you use up your original data allowance (similar to a postpaid plan).
Not only are eSIMs environmentally friendly, they're also very convenient. With this option, you can switch to your new provider in just a few minutes. No need to visit a store or wait for your SIM to arrive in the mail.
Data gifting
Rarer still is the option to gift your data. Great for families, this option allows you to distribute data from one user to another. It's similar to family sharing on some postpaid plans.
What else should I look out for when comparing prepaid plans?
Some other useful things to consider when looking for a prepaid plan include:
1. Network coverage
Choose between Telstra, Optus and Vodafone in Australia. Coverage varies between all 3, with Telstra offering the widest network and Vodafone the smallest.
Smaller providers (known as MVNOs) will often offer coverage from 1 of the big 3 providers at cheaper rates.
Keep in mind: While network coverage only differs by a few percentage points between the networks, the real-life difference can be startling outside of metropolitan areas. We recommend checking coverage maps if you live outside of major cities.
2. Data allowance
How much data do you actually need? Don't pay too much for data you're not going to use. Check or estimate your mobile data usage before choosing a new plan.
Once you've considered all these factors, use our comparison table to find the best prepaid plan that fits your needs.
Which is the best prepaid service provider?
The best provider will depend on exactly what you're after, how much you're willing to pay and which network you'd prefer.
We've chosen some of the bigger names from what's available to give you an idea of what your prepaid mobile plan could be.
Telstra
The biggest reason to opt for Telstra is for access to the widest mobile coverage in Australia, reaching 99.5% of the population.
You might not notice the difference if you live in a metropolitan area, but customers in regional or rural dwellings are more likely to appreciate its reach.
Expiry periods that span over 7 days, 28 days, 6 months or 12 months.
Option to bank up to 200GB of unused data.
5G access across all prepaid plans.
Offers eSIM on select plans.
Watch out for: Higher pricing compared to smaller providers. You can find cheap mobile plans under $20 if you're looking out for your budget.
Optus
Optus, the second-biggest network provider in Australia, is hot on Telstra's heels for coverage and value. It reaches 98.5% of the population and offers slightly cheaper prices.
Plenty of prepaid plan options, with anything from plans that last for 1 day only to your usual monthly plans and longer expiries that last up to a year.
Data rollover up to 200GB when you recharge before expiry or 50GB if you get on a long-expiry plan.
Add-ons such as $11.99 for Optus Sport with a 28-day expiry period.
Vodafone may not be on par with Telstra or Optus in terms of coverage, but it does offer budget-friendly plans that won't make you sigh over your mobile bills throughout the year.
Cheaper plans with heaps of data thanks to regular discounts and bonus data offers.
$5 roaming which is arguably the best roaming offer on the market.
"Infinite data" on all of its prepaid plans. This means once you've used up all your data you'll still be able to use your mobile internet but at reduced 1.5Mbps speeds until your next recharge.
Watch out for: Limited network coverage, especially if you're in a rural or regional part of Australia.
TPG
TPG, which runs on the Vodafone network, isn't known for flashy extras like the bigger telcos, but it offers great value.
Watch out for: There's no international roaming available and bonus data offered on most prepaid plans will likely expire after the first 3 recharges.
Why you can trust Finder's mobile plan experts
We've done the work
We've researched and reviewed hundreds of phone plans to make our guides as helpful as possible. Our experts can be seen across TV, print and digital media.
We're reliable
Our product database of 52 providers is updated daily with the latest mobile deals in Australia. Our guides are regularly reviewed and fact-checked.
We're here to help
Since 2015, we've helped over 1.2 million people find the right mobile plan by explaining features clearly and simply. We're here to help you make a decision.
Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with over 11+ years of experience in print and digital media. Her main goal is to help households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their household bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine.
Hi Jake. It might be worth reaching out to their customer support team for further help as they’re meant to give 2GB for $10. They have a live chat option in case you didn’t want to call.
I’m travelling from overseas to Australia for just over two months and considering which tariff to go with. I’m told from many sources that Telstra has the best coverage
I’m focussing on prepaid tariffs.
Which might be the best option?
Hi Sam, Telstra does have the widest network coverage and offers prepaid mobile plans as well. Boost Mobile has access to the full Telstra network so can be worth considering as an option!
Thanks for getting in touch! The cheapest prepaid plan that is within the 28-35 days period with, minimum date of 4GB + unlimited call and text is the Catch Connect 4G 40GB $49.90 30 Days. To get started with your application, click the GO TO SITE button.
Your data is not being used when you make regular outgoing calls, however, if you make other calls that uses internet such as Viber, Whatsapp or other apps that need internet to be able to work, this will use up your data.
Hope this helps! For any further questions, feel free to reach out to us again, we’re here to help.
If you wish to activate your new number Lycamobile, please visit their official page and follow their step-by-step guide on this matter. You just need a proof of identification like your passport to register online.
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You say iiNet gives an extra 2G for $10, I’ve been a prepaid customer for 2 years and they’ve only ever given 1GB extra for $10?
Hi Jake. It might be worth reaching out to their customer support team for further help as they’re meant to give 2GB for $10. They have a live chat option in case you didn’t want to call.
I’m travelling from overseas to Australia for just over two months and considering which tariff to go with. I’m told from many sources that Telstra has the best coverage
I’m focussing on prepaid tariffs.
Which might be the best option?
Hi Sam, Telstra does have the widest network coverage and offers prepaid mobile plans as well. Boost Mobile has access to the full Telstra network so can be worth considering as an option!
What is the cheapest prepaid plan for 28-35days, small amount of data unlimited calls & texts?
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for getting in touch! The cheapest prepaid plan that is within the 28-35 days period with, minimum date of 4GB + unlimited call and text is the Catch Connect 4G 40GB $49.90 30 Days. To get started with your application, click the GO TO SITE button.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Nikki
I am on long term prepaid 365 plan.Is my data being used even if idon’t make any
calls?
Hi Frank,
Thanks for getting in touch!
Your data is not being used when you make regular outgoing calls, however, if you make other calls that uses internet such as Viber, Whatsapp or other apps that need internet to be able to work, this will use up your data.
Hope this helps! For any further questions, feel free to reach out to us again, we’re here to help.
Best,
Nikki
Actually I don’t have a valid visa, I want to register my number in Lyca, is it possible??
Hi Harry,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
If you wish to activate your new number Lycamobile, please visit their official page and follow their step-by-step guide on this matter. You just need a proof of identification like your passport to register online.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni