Mobile phone plans

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How to compare mobile plans: a step-by-step guide

It can be overwhelming to sift through all the options. Don't worry though, we've simplified the process to help you find a mobile plan that works for you.

1. Do you want a new phone or just a phone plan?

This is the first question to ask yourself when choosing a phone plan.

• New phone on a plan: If you're looking for a new phone along with your plan, your only choices are Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone, which are known as the 'big three' in Australia.

• SIM-only plan: If you're happy with your current phone or want to buy one yourself, you can save by going with a prepaid or postpaid SIM-only plan. There are around 44 smaller providers offering great value for money, with Aussies paying an average of $27 a month with them compared to $62 with the big three, according to our Consumer Sentiment Tracker.

💡 Pro tip: You can keep your existing phone number when switching providers, and it's easy to bring it with you no matter where you switch.

2. How much data do you actually need?

Start by checking how much data you use, because there's a good chance you're paying for more than you need (and could save money!). Many Australians overestimate how much data they need; based on ACCC data for October to December 2025, Aussies on mobile phone plans use an average of about 15.6GB a month - far less than the 40GB most people choose as per our research.

💡 Pro tip: If you mostly use Wi-Fi and don't stream much on the go, a smaller data plan could save you money. Second, check your previous bills to get a clear picture of your typical usage. If you're still not sure of how much you use, there's more info below.

3. Do you have a network preference?

Coverage matters, especially if you live in rural or regional areas. Price and data won't matter much if you're constantly losing signal!

• Telstra offers the widest coverage, which is especially important if you don't live in a major city.
• Optus and Vodafone have strong coverage in major cities, but less extensive reach in some regional or remote areas.

💡 Pro tip: Check the mobile phone provider's network coverage map before signing up.

4. Do you want extra perks or a no-frills plan?

Some mobile plans come with extras like international calls, data rollover or travel roaming.

💡 Pro tip: If you don't need these features, focus on finding a plan with the right price and data (unlimited local calls and texts are usually a given).

What types of mobile phone plans can you get in Australia?

In Australia, there are three main types of mobile phone plans:

• Prepaid mobile plans
• Postpaid mobile plans
• Mobile plans bundled with a new phone

Each has its benefits depending on your needs.

Prepaid vs postpaid mobile plans

There's less of a distinction between prepaid and postpaid plans these days, especially with the removal of lock-in contracts for postpaid. Here's a quick breakdown of the differences:

Phones bundled with a mobile plan

Buying a phone outright is cheaper in the long run, but it's not easy to fork out a big chunk of cash upfront, especially if you're eyeing something from Samsung, Apple or Google.

Telstra, Optus and Vodafone allow you to pay for your phone in monthly instalments over 12, 24 or 36 months. There's no lock-in contract, and you can leave anytime by paying off the remaining phone cost.

New phone launches in particular are a great time to get on a plan if you want extra bells and whistles during the pre-order period.

Among the major brands, Apple is the latest to launch new models, including the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, as well as its first-ever foldable, the iPhone Duo.

The iPhone Duo and the iPhone 18 Pros are now on sale. You can check out our roundup of deals if you're keen to upgrade.

Or, you can compare phone plans from the major brands for every model, not just the newest.

Compare iPhone plans

Compare Samsung plans

Compare Google Pixel plans

How much data do you really need?

Understanding how much data you need is key to avoiding overpaying.

Activities like browsing and social media don't use as much data as you'd think, so you can probably get by with less than 15GB, especially if you're on Wi-Fi most of the time.

Streaming and downloads, however, can burn through data quickly. If you're out and about a lot or have a long commute, you might want some extra buffer: at least 20-25GB a month.

We consider anything above 40GB a month a high data plan.

If you're still worried about going over your data allowance, consider an unlimited data mobile plan.

In most cases, once you've used up your data, your speeds will drop from anywhere between 256Kbps to 2Mbps. That's still enough for basic things like checking emails or browsing, but you might struggle with heavier tasks.

"My wife and I were both paying $44 a month each on our mobile plans, with more data than we needed. I thought it was a good deal until I found a 365-day plan with 120GB of data for $119, which works out to $10 each per month. Still, more data than we need since we're almost always connected to our Wi-Fi at home, but it will save us $800 a year!"

Richard Whitten

Senior Money Editor

Which mobile network should I choose?

Where you live will play a big part in which network works best for you, whether that's Telstra, Optus or Vodafone.

Smaller providers use these networks to offer their own mobile plans, so you don't necessarily need to go with one of the big three.

Coverage matters because it can affect how easily you can do things like browse the web, stream videos or make calls on your phone.

Telstra has the widest network coverage in Australia, particularly across rural and regional areas.

• Its coverage footprint is over 2.14 million square kilometres.
• Smaller providers on Telstra's network get access to its wholesale coverage, which spans 1.4 million square kilometres. The exception is Boost Mobile, which has full access to both Telstra's 4G and 5G networks.
• Telstra no longer publishes a population coverage figure for its network.

Providers that use the Telstra network include:

Optus offers good coverage in major cities, at a lower price than Telstra.

• Optus has the second-largest network after Telstra, covering most of the Australian population, and it's continuing to expand its 5G network.
• Its network size spans 1.2 million square kilometres.
• Smaller providers using Optus get full access to its 4G and 5G networks.

Providers that use the Optus network include:

Vodafone is the most affordable but has slightly limited coverage outside cities.

• Its network covers 99% of the Australian population. Vodafone's 5G rollout is still underway - it's now available in selected areas of more than 3400 sites across Australia.
• Similar to Optus, its network size spans 1.2 million square kilometres.
• Its network should suit those living in major cities but similar to Optus, coverage in some regional and remote areas may be patchy or non-existent.
• Smaller providers using Vodafone get full access to its 4G and 5G networks.

Providers that use the Vodafone network include:

Do you need a 5G mobile plan?

A 5G mobile connection offers faster speeds, particularly in crowded areas. But if you don't use much data, have an older phone that doesn't support 5G or live where the coverage is patchy, 4G might be enough.

The good news? Many mobile plans now include both 4G and 5G, especially with 3G now phased out, so you won't have to pay a premium price for faster speeds.

Finder Score explained

• 9+ Excellent - These mobile plans stack up extremely well for overall cost and data allowance over 12 months plus network coverage. You may also get a few bonus features attached to your plan.
• 7+ Great - These mobile plans are competitively priced and offer a decent amount of data. You might need to compromise just a little bit on some features.
• 5+ Standard - Usually these mobile plans are just okay for overall cost over 12 months and the amount of data you’re getting in return. Network coverage and other features can be lacking.
• Less than 5 – Basic - You can generally do better than what these mobile plans have to offer in terms of cost, data costs, network coverage and features. In short, they’re poor value for money.

Digging deeper into the Finder Score for mobile plans

There are an overwhelming number of mobile plans available from over 40 providers. More than 290 to be exact. You also have to figure out how each of their costs stack up against the amount of data you’re getting in return. We group plans into 3 categories - month to month plans, long expiry plans under $250 and long expiry plans for $250 and above.

That's where the Finder Score comes in. The score is a simple way for you to compare mobile plans at a glance.

Here's how the scores work:

• We analyse hundreds of mobile plans in our database that run on either Telstra, Optus or Vodafone networks.
• We assess the overall costs and data inclusions over a year, coupled with some additional features like data rollover, WiFi calling and network provider coverage.

• How Finder Score is calculated

  The Finder Score methodology is designed by our insights and editorial team. We review products objectively. Commercial partnerships do not affect the scores.

  Finder Score weightings - mobile plans

  Mobile plans - Finder Score weightings

  Weightings	Assessment	Month-to-month plans	Long Expiry Plans
  Cost	We assess the cost of all plans over a year	40%	40%
  Data inclusions	We calculate the data allowance available for each plan over a one year period	40%	40%
  Network score	We assign network provider for each plan and assign points for their coverage	10%	15
  Data rollover	Plans with data rollover are awarded points	5%
  WiFi Calling	Plans with WiFi calling are awarded points	5%	5

Frequently asked questions

• Can I keep my current phone number?

  Yes, most providers allow you to port your number, so you can keep your existing number when switching plans.

  If your current mobile number isn't registered under your name, you'll need to change ownership of your phone number first.

• How long does it take to get a new SIM?

  Delivery times vary: Some providers offer same-day delivery while others might take a few days.

  eSIMs can be activated immediately if your phone is compatible.

• How fast are mobile internet speeds in Australia?

  Your mobile phone could be connected to the 4G or 5G network, depending on where you live and the plan you have.

  Optus has the fastest 5G download speeds based on Opensignal's May 2026 report, clocking in at 199.9Mbps. Telstra trails behind with 171.7Mbps and Vodafone takes the last spot with 161.8Mbps.

  Optus also takes the top spot for 4G download speeds, averaging 58.3Mbps, followed by Telstra at 51.7Mbps and Vodafone at 39.3Mbps.

  If you're looking for a 5G connection, you'll also need a 5G mobile plan as not all plans in Australia offer 5G as a feature yet.

  In theory, being on the 5G network means faster speeds, but many plans come with download speed caps, ranging from 100-250Mbps. This should still be fast enough for most online activities.

• What if I want to use my mobile overseas?

  It's usually better to pick up a local SIM because roaming can be an expensive option or excluded as a feature on some mobile plans.

  If you're going on a short trip or you just want to have access to your phone as soon as you land, it's good to look out for mobile plans that offer the ability to add on international roaming packs such as those offered by Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, amaysim, Boost Mobile, Dodo and more.

• What is the average bill per month for one person in Australia?

  The average monthly mobile bill for a single person in Australia can vary depending on factors like your data usage and any extras you might want, such as data rollover or international call inclusions.

  As a rough benchmark, our data shows Aussies spend about $44 a month on their mobile plan.

• How much should a phone plan cost per month?

  The cost of a phone plan in Australia can vary widely depending on your needs.

  Our Consumer Sentiment Tracker has found people fork out around $27 a month on average with a smaller provider and about $62 a month with one of the big three - either Telstra, Optus or Vodafone.

Written by

Mariam Gabaji

Senior Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

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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

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