Telstra mobile plans review

Our verdict: You can get excellent network coverage on any mobile plan from Telstra but its premium prices may not always be worth it.

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Mariam Gabaji

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Telstra mobile plans review

Telstra boasts Australia's largest mobile network, which can be a key point of difference for those living in rural or regional areas.

The caveat is its prices can be steep, and not everyone will need the extra perks Telstra offers, like earning Telstra Plus points for rewards, getting the latest phone on a plan or taking advantage of its handy mobile app or streaming freebies.

If you're keen to stick to a budget, a smaller provider using the Telstra network may be a better option.

Pros

  • Access to the largest 4G and 5G networks in Australia
  • Multiple customer support options
  • Option to add on international roaming if you're heading overseas
  • No lock-in contract across all plans and the option to sign up via eSIM if you have a compatible handset

Cons

  • Plans are expensive compared to other providers

Compare Telstra SIM-only mobile plans

3 of 3 results
Updated regularly
Finder Score Data allowance Ongoing price Special offer Description Rewards
Telstra logo
7.6
Telstra Upfront Premium
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
No special offer
7.6
Data Allowance
300GB
Telstra 4G/5G network
$99
per month
per month
Ongoing price
$99
per month
per month
No special offer
100,000 Telstra Plus bonus points for new services. Ends 29 Dec 2025. T&Cs apply.
More info
Compare product selection
Telstra logo
7
Telstra Upfront Essential
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
No special offer
7
Data Allowance
180GB
Telstra 4G/5G network
$80
per month
per month
Ongoing price
$80
per month
per month
No special offer
100,000 Telstra Plus bonus points for new services. Ends 29 Dec 2025. T&Cs apply.
More info
Compare product selection
Telstra logo
5
Telstra Upfront Basic
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
No special offer
5
Data Allowance
50GB
Telstra 4G/5G network
$70
per month
per month
Ongoing price
$70
per month
per month
No special offer
100,000 Telstra Plus bonus points for new services. Ends 29 Dec 2025. T&Cs apply.
More info
Compare product selection
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Showing 3 of 3 results

Finder Score for mobile plans

We've scored over 300 mobile plans on everything from cost to data allowance and important features.

Our experts give each plan a score out of 10 - totally fair, with no commercial strings attached.

Read the full methodology

8 of 8 results
Updated regularly
Finder Score Data allowance Ongoing price Special offer Description Rewards
Telstra logo
Telstra $13 Prepaid Mobile Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
BONUS DATA
3GB
5GB
for first 3 recharges
Data Allowance
3GB
Telstra 4G/5G network
$13
per 7 day recharge
per 7 day recharge
Ongoing price
$13
per 7 days expiry
per 7 days expiry
BONUS DATA
3GB
5GB
for first 3 recharges
5GB/recharge for first 3 recharges, then 3GB/recharge. Activate by 2 Mar 2026. T&Cs apply.
More info
Compare product selection
Telstra logo
9.6
Telstra $39 Prepaid Casual Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
SAVE $26
$39
$13
for first recharge
9.6
Data Allowance
0.39GB
Telstra 4G/5G network
$39
per 6 months
per 6 months
Ongoing price
$39
per 6 months
per 6 months
SAVE $26
$39
$13
for first recharge
$13 on activation, then $39/recharge. Ends 29 Dec 2025. T&Cs apply.
More info
Compare product selection
Telstra logo
6.6
Telstra $39 Prepaid Mobile Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
SAVE $26 + BONUS DATA
$39
$13
for first recharge
15GB
45GB
for first 3 recharges
6.6
Data Allowance
15GB
Telstra 4G/5G network
$39
per 28 day recharge
per 28 day recharge
Ongoing price
$39
per 28 days expiry
per 28 days expiry
SAVE $26 + BONUS DATA
$39
$13
for first recharge
15GB
45GB
for first 3 recharges
$13 on activation, then $39/recharge (ends 29 Dec 2025) + 45GB/recharge for first 3 recharges, then 15GB/recharge. Activate by 2 Mar 2026. T&Cs apply.
More info
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Telstra logo
6.2
Telstra $49 Prepaid Mobile Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
BONUS DATA
25GB
65GB
for first 3 recharges
6.2
Data Allowance
25GB
Telstra 4G/5G network
$49
per 28 day recharge
per 28 day recharge
Ongoing price
$49
per 28 days expiry
per 28 days expiry
BONUS DATA
25GB
65GB
for first 3 recharges
65GB/recharge for first 3 recharges, then 25GB/recharge. Activate by 2 Mar 2026. T&Cs apply.
More info
Compare product selection
Telstra logo
6.1
Telstra $59 Prepaid Mobile Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
BONUS DATA
35GB
85GB
for first 3 recharges
6.1
Data Allowance
35GB
Telstra 4G/5G network
$59
per 28 day recharge
per 28 day recharge
Ongoing price
$59
per 28 days expiry
per 28 days expiry
BONUS DATA
35GB
85GB
for first 3 recharges
85GB/recharge for first 3 recharges, then 35GB/recharge. Activate by 2 Mar 2026. T&Cs apply.
More info
Compare product selection
Telstra logo
6.6
Telstra $69 Prepaid Mobile Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
BONUS DATA
70GB
110GB
for first 3 recharges
6.6
Data Allowance
70GB
Telstra 4G/5G network
$69
per 28 day recharge
per 28 day recharge
Ongoing price
$69
per 28 days expiry
per 28 days expiry
BONUS DATA
70GB
110GB
for first 3 recharges
110GB/recharge for first 3 recharges, then 70GB/recharge. Activate by 2 Mar 2026. T&Cs apply.
More info
Compare product selection
Telstra logo
8
Telstra $180 Prepaid Mobile Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
BONUS DATA
70GB
140GB
for first recharge
8
Data Allowance
70GB
Telstra 4G/5G network
$180
per 6 months
per 6 months
Ongoing price
$180
per 6 months
per 6 months
BONUS DATA
70GB
140GB
for first recharge
140GB on activation, then 70GB/recharge. Activate by 2 Mar 2026. T&Cs apply.
More info
Compare product selection
Telstra logo
9.4
Telstra $350 Prepaid Mobile Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
SAVE $40 + BONUS DATA
$350
$310
for first recharge
165GB
300GB
for first recharge
9.4
Data Allowance
165GB
Telstra 4G/5G network
$350
per 12 months
per 12 months
Ongoing price
$350
per 12 months
per 12 months
SAVE $40 + BONUS DATA
$350
$310
for first recharge
165GB
300GB
for first recharge
$310 on activation, then $350/recharge (ends 29 Dec 2025) + 300GB for first recharge, then 165GB/recharge. Activate by 2 Mar 2026. T&Cs apply.
More info
Compare product selection
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Showing 8 of 8 results

Finder Score for mobile plans

We've scored over 300 mobile plans on everything from cost to data allowance and important features.

Our experts give each plan a score out of 10 - totally fair, with no commercial strings attached.

Read the full methodology

Compare Telstra phones on a plan

What do Australians think of Telstra mobile provider?

  • 3.9/5 overall for Customer Satisfaction - lower than the average of 4.15
  • 4.2/5 for Trust - lower than the average of 4.43
  • 3.75/5 for Customer Service - lower than the average of 4.01

Based on Telstra mobile provider scores in Finder's 2024 & 2025 Customer Satisfaction Awards.

Matt Corke's headshot

"I've been on a Telstra plan for years, after switching over from Optus due to poor coverage where I lived. Telstra was the only provider which was able to service the valley I lived in. You definitely do pay more of a premium for Telstra, but it comes with great coverage, in-store service and super-fast speeds. Plus, you earn Telstra rewards, which I've redeemed for things like headphones, smart-speakers and Google Pixel Earbuds."

Matt Corke
Finder crew member

coverage icon

Coverage

Telstra's 4G and 5G mobile network coverage is the widest in Australia and can be non-negotiable for people living in regional or remote parts of the country.

Its 4G network reaches 99.7% of the population, while its 5G network, still rolling out, currently covers 91% of Aussies.

If you're budget-conscious, consider smaller providers that use parts of Telstra's network. Boost Mobile is the only small provider with full access to Telstra's 4G and 5G networks, so that's a good place to start.

bonus icon

Bonus features

You'll certainly get access to some bells and whistles by signing up with Telstra (you would hope so given the prices!).

1. Data rollover on prepaid plans

Unused data going to waste is a shame. Telstra lets you roll over up to 200GB of data as long as you keep recharging your plan before it expires.

2. No excess charges

Its SIM-only plans won't ever give you a bill shock. That's because once you've exhausted your monthly data allowance your download speeds will simply slow to 1.5Mbps.

3. International calls and roaming

You'll get 300 minutes for international calls on all of Telstra's SIM-only plans.

You can also add international roaming, which is handy when you're travelling overseas. Telstra offers roaming packs for both prepaid and SIM-only plans that can be used across 80 countries.

Given there are multiple options available for different use cases, you can read all about them in detail in our guide.

4. Data sharing

You can bundle up to 5 accounts on Telstra's Essential and Premium SIM-only plans. So choose either one, select a Mobile Bundle Plan or a Data Bundle Plan and add it to your service.

5. Telstra Rewards

Telstra's rewards program allows you to earn points to redeem products available in its Rewards Store.

You'll earn 10 Telstra Plus points for every dollar you spend.

customer service Icon

Customer service

You can reach Telstra's customer support through various means if you have a question or concern:

  • You can give them a call.
  • Talk to them online via the live chat feature on Telstra's website.
  • Get in touch via the My Telstra app, which is also handy for checking plan details, billing and tracking data usage.
  • Heading into a Telstra store (if convenient) for face-to-face help.

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Frequently asked questions

Sources

Mariam Gabaji's headshot
Written by

Senior Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

Mariam Gabaji is a journalist with 13 years of experience, specialising in consumer topics like mobile services and energy costs. Her work appears in the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, The Guardian, SBS, 7News, A Current Affair and Money Magazine. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and was a finalist for the 2024 and 2025 IT Journalism Award for Best Telecommunications Journalist. See full bio

Mariam's expertise
Mariam has written 435 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Energy
  • Mobile
  • Broadband
  • Consumer tech
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16 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    JohnMay 26, 2017

    Hi I’ve just set up a landline 1000gig data with Telstra. For $90 My question is can I get Netflix added to this deal for free or how much will it be extra?

      Default Gravatar
      jonathan.chan@findercrew.comMay 29, 2017

      Hi John!

      Thanks for the comment.

      Netflix is not part of your subscription with Tesltra bundle. If you wish to have it added , you can choose among these monthly subscriptions: Basic ($8.99), Standard ($11.99) or Premium ($14.99). You can check how they differ to each other by checking this link https://www.findershopping.com.au/internet-tv/netflix-australia. Also, you can proceed with the service application by clicking the “”See Content””green button.

      Hope this clarifies.

      Regards,
      Jonathan

    Default Gravatar
    vickyAugust 11, 2016

    what’s the boost prepaid deal covers?

      Default GravatarFinder
      DeeAugust 11, 2016Finder

      Hi Vicky,

      Thanks for your question.

      I would like to clarify, are you referring to Boost Mobile Plan prepaid deals? If you do, you can refer to our Boost Mobile review page. From there, you should find a full list of Boost Mobile plans. Each plan offers different features which you can check by selecting the “More info” button.

      Cheers,
      Anndy

      Default Gravatar
      KaineMay 23, 2017

      can you please help me

      Default GravatarFinder
      DeeMay 23, 2017Finder

      Hi Kaine,

      Thanks for reaching out. Please feel free to let me know how I can help.

      Cheers,
      Anndy

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