Compare postpaid mobile plans

What is a postpaid plan?

With a postpaid plan you pay monthly for a SIM that lets you make calls, send texts and get online, usually on a phone you already own, though the big three also let you add a handset repayment.

In the past, these plans used to tie you into a contract, but that's no longer the case for most providers.

That's why they're often called month-to-month plans or even SIM-only plans. You'll pay for your first month's service when you sign up, and then you'll get billed monthly.

How do you find the best postpaid mobile plan?

Since unlimited local calls and texts are pretty much a given, there are about five main factors to consider when choosing a postpaid plan.

This will help you choose the best plan for your needs and find the cheapest postpaid option at the same time.

1. How much data do you need?

On average, Australians use around 19GB of data on a postpaid mobile plan per month, according to the ACCC's Internet Activity Report.

This is a helpful benchmark to have, but the best guide will always be your past usage. You can check this on your provider's app or online dashboard, or even your past bills.

2. Do you care about network coverage?

For most people, the answer should be a resounding yes.

Of the three main network providers in Australia, Telstra has the widest coverage, followed by Optus and then Vodafone. This is particularly important if you live in regional or rural areas.

Many smaller providers do not operate their own networks. They use one of the major networks to offer postpaid plans.

Always check the coverage map on a provider's website before signing up, especially if you are switching networks.

3. Do you want any extra perks?

This includes mobile plan features such as international calling, data banking (saving unused data for later), eSIM support, and the option to add-on international roaming.

Some postpaid mobile plans now also come with no excess data charges and are often known as endless data plans.

If you use up your monthly data allowance, your internet speeds will slow to anywhere between 256kbps to 2Mbps, depending on the provider, so on these plans you won't be hit with excess data charges.

4. How much are you willing to pay?

Price is important, but it usually comes after network coverage and data allowance. You'll also need to decide which extra features (if any) are worth paying for.

There are always great offers on, whether it's a price discount, bonus data allowance, or both, so you'll have plenty of options to choose from.

5. Have you read the terms and conditions?

Every plan on a provider's website will show you a Critical Information Summary.

This gives you important details such as credit card surcharges, whether you'll be billed extra for going over your data allowance, and whether international roaming will automatically turn on when you're overseas.

Can you get a phone with a postpaid mobile plan?

You can if you sign up with Telstra, Optus or Vodafone, as they do handset repayment plans.

How it works is you pick your phone of choice and what timeframe you want to pay off the cost in, whether that's 12-, 24- or 36 months. You will then need to pair it with one of their postpaid plans.

Check out popular phones on a plan:

Compare iPhone plans

Compare Samsung plans

Compare Google Pixel plans

Postpaid vs prepaid mobile plans: What's the difference?

The difference is smaller than you might think, since most postpaid plans don't tie you into a contract.

Where they vary the most is in the length of the plan and how you pay.

Postpaid plans are monthly, while prepaid plans come with different expiry lengths such as 7 days, 28 days, 30 days, monthly, 90 days, 180 days or 365 days.

On a prepaid plan, you pay for your plan's inclusions upfront, and then you'll need to keep renewing your plan or set up auto-recharge.

On a postpaid plan, you do pay first when you start the service, but then it shifts to a normal monthly billing cycle until you cancel.

Read our guide on prepaid vs postpaid plans for a deeper dive

Frequently asked questions

• Can I keep my phone number on a postpaid plan?

  Yes, you can keep your number on a postpaid plan even when you're switching to a different provider. You can read our guide on number porting for more information.

• Can I get data add-ons on my postpaid plan?

  Some providers have "data packs" you can purchase if you think you're going to run out of data for the month.

  Otherwise, providers will automatically charge you for extra data once you break your limit. These automatic add-ons are very poor value so make sure to read the terms and conditions.

• How do bill payments for postpaid mobile plans work?

  This will depend on your provider. You will either be able to set up direct debit or pay by credit card every time the bill arrives in your inbox.

  Before signing up, make sure to read the Critical Information Summary for the plan you're signing up to so you're aware of any credit card surcharges or late payment fees.

• How do I know if my SIM is prepaid or postpaid?

  The easiest way to tell is by how you pay. If you pay upfront for your calls, texts, and data and need to renew your plan regularly, it's a prepaid SIM.

  If you receive a monthly bill after using your service, it's most likely a postpaid SIM.

  The caveat is that prepaid SIMs can auto-renew so just to be on the safe side, check your last bill for plan information or check with your provider directly.

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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