5G in Australia

5G is fast becoming the de facto mobile network in Australia.

First launched by Telstra in 2019, it is now offered by nearly every mobile provider across more than 180 plans.

In this guide, we break down the current state of 5G in Australia, including network coverage, average prices and how to get the top speeds.

We also explain how 5G stacks up as a home internet solution.

Let's get stuck in!

5G vs 4G: How is it better?

The perks of 5G mobile networks are substantial. They're much faster than 4G, have lower latency and suffer from less congestion.

In the real world, this translates to super quick downloads, smoother video calls and a reliable connection in crowded areas.

It's not just phones that benefit, either: you can also use 5G to power your home internet instead of the NBN.

On the downside, 5G isn't available everywhere and you'll need a 5G-ready device to get connected.

Here's a quick snapshot of 5G's benefits and potential drawbacks.

Read our full 4G vs 5G guide for a deeper dive

5G pros and cons

What do I need to get 5G?

To get 5G in Australia, you'll need three things:

• 5G where you live: Are 5G networks available in your area?
• A 5G plan: Does your mobile plan come with 5G access?
• A 5G capable device: Is your phone or tablet compatible with 5G networks?

5G coverage in Australia

There are three major 5G networks in Australia, run by Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. All other providers use one of these three networks.

The 5G rollout is still ongoing, with each network gradually expanding its footprint around the country.

Telstra currently has the largest 5G network, reaching 95% of Australians.

Optus has the second-largest: its 5G network reaches around 80% of the population.

Vodafone does not publicly share its total 5G coverage, but you can get a sense of its footprint by comparing the active 5G sites across each network:

• Telstra: 5,082 sites
• Optus: 4,038 sites
• Vodafone: 3,400 sites

The bottom line: Telstra has the widest 5G coverage, followed by Optus and then Vodafone.

This is backed by independent research from analytics firm OpenSignal.

OpenSignal measured each 5G network's geographic coverage in populated areas using a metric scale of 0 to 10.

Here are the results:

5G in regional Australia

If you live in regional Australia, your 5G choices remain limited - but the situation is constantly improving.

Telstra's 5G footprint now stretches across much of rural NSW, Victoria, and Queensland.

Optus is fast-tracking its 5G rollout with 1,500 additional sites by 2028, including in key regional cities.

Vodafone recently doubled its mobile network to 1,000,000 square kilometres via a network-sharing agreement with Optus. The expansion includes additional rural 5G coverage.

With that said, many 5G mobile plans are still unavailable in the regions.

For example, most mobile providers on Telstra are restricted to its wholesale network, which has a much smaller 5G footprint.

This means you are less likely to receive 5G coverage on these plans.

• Providers on Telstra networks: Full vs wholesale

  Provider	Full Telstra network
  Telstra	✅
  Boost Mobile	✅
  JB Hi-Fi	✅
  Alphacall	❌
  Belong	❌
  ALDI Mobile	❌
  Everyday Mobile	❌
  TeleChoice	❌
  Tangerine Telecom	❌
  Pennytel	❌
  TelSim	❌
  MATE Mobile	❌
  Konec	❌
  Exetel Mobile	❌
  CMobile	❌
  More	❌
  Goodtel	❌
  Superloop	❌

How much do 5G plans cost?

Outside of promotions, the average cost of a 5G mobile plan is around $45 a month.

However, it's not hard to find 5G plans under $25, with introductory discounts bringing the costs down even lower.

You can check out our top picks for every budget in the best 5G plans guide.

See the best 5G mobile plans in Australia

How to choose a 5G phone

Most smartphones sold in Australia are 5G-enabled. Unless you're buying an ultra-budget model, you can rest assured that it will support at least some 5G bands.

Here is a checklist of things to consider when choosing a 5G phone.

• Set a budget: Most current-gen phones now come with 5G, so there's no reason to pay top dollar if you don't want to. There are plenty of mid-range 5G phones with great displays and cameras.
• Check supported bands: If you're purchasing from an overseas seller, make sure the phone is compatible with Australia's 5G frequency bands. It will need n78 (3500 MHz) and n28 (700 MHz) at a minimum.
• Battery size: 5G can drain battery life faster, so look for a phone with a good-size battery. This is measured in milliampere-hours, or mAh for short. A higher mAh rating generally translates to a longer battery life. You should always refer to independent battery tests on sites like Finder instead of blindly trusting the manufacturer.
• OS updates: If you're planning to keep your phone long-term, make sure it's backed with software support. Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones offer up to 7 years of OS and security updates. Apple typically offers 5-7 years of software support for the iPhone.

You can see a list of the 10 best 5G phones in Australia, handpicked by our shopping experts.

See the best 5G phones in Australia

What are 5G speeds like?

5G speeds can technically reach 20 gigabits per second, but only under ideal lab conditions.

In reality, you're more likely to receive speeds of between 100-200Mbps.

This is due to a range of factors, including 5G tower proximity, signal interference and mobile speed caps. (More on which below.)

Here are the average 5G download speeds for each major network.

4G maxes out at 100Mbps on most mobile devices, with 45-55Mbps being more common.

Most mobile providers impose speed caps on 5G plans, which limits how fast data can be downloaded.

This is ostensibly done to prevent network congestion. (If we're being cynical, it also incentivises users to pay for a faster plan.)

Speed caps vary considerably, ranging from 40Mbps to 250Mbps.

You should always check a 5G plan's maximum speed before signing up. This is usually listed in the plan's features, but it's sometimes buried away in a Critical Information Summary (CIS).

How to get uncapped 5G speeds

For most users, 100-150Mbps will be all the speed you'll need. This is fast enough to handle nearly all mobile phone activities, including 4K video streaming, online gaming and hotspotting to multiple devices.

But what about the serious power user? If you're dealing with lots of big downloads, you might want to consider a plan with uncapped speeds. (Yes, these plans do exist.)

Telstra, Boost, Optus, iPrimus, Aussie Broadband, Bendigo, JB Hi-Fi, SpinTel and Moose currently provide uncapped download speeds on selected 5G plans.

How much data do I need on a 5G plan?

5G monthly data allowances range from 10GB all the way up to unlimited. But how much do you actually need?

On average, Australians use around 14GB of mobile data per month.

This means that most people can get by on a lower-end plan.

If you're not sure how much data you need, calculate the average monthly usage from your 3 most recent mobile phone bills.

You can also check the data requirements of popular mobile apps in the table below.

• Hourly data requirements for mobile apps

  App	Data usage
  YouTube (4K)	3GB per hour
  YouTube (1080 HD)	2.5GB per hour
  YouTube (720p)	1.2GB per hour
  YouTube (480p)	660MB per hour
  Stan (4K)	7GB per hour
  BINGE (HD)	3.25GB per hour
  Disney Plus (4K)	7.7GB per hour
  Kayo (HD 720p/1080p)	3.25GB per hour
  Zoom (group calls)	2.5GB per hour
  Spotify (high quality)	144MB per hour
  TikTok	840MB per hour
  Google Maps	3-5MB per hour
  FaceTime	180MB per hour
  Snapchat	100MB per hour
  Instagram (scrolling)	600MB per hour
  WhatsApp (video calls)	300MB per hour
  Roblox	600MB per hour

Bottom line: If you're streaming lots of video on your 5G phone, go for a monthly data cap of 60GB+.

How much data do you really need?

What about 5G home broadband?

5G home broadband is a wireless alternative to the NBN. It uses a stationary modem equipped with a SIM card to connect you to the internet.

If you're looking for a cheap internet plan, 5G home internet provides better value than the NBN, especially when speed is concerned.

Here's a breakdown of the costs and download speeds for each plan type.

On the downside, 5G home internet has the same coverage limitations as 5G mobile. It is also more vulnerable to signal interference from trees, buildings and the weather. (Fixed-line NBN connections are more stable.)

To check if 5G home internet is available at your address, simply enter your location on the provider's website. If you're within the coverage zone, you'll get confirmation and an option to sign up.

You can compare 5G home internet plans below.

See the best 5G home internet plans in Australia

Australian 5G bands

Australia's 5G networks use a mix of low, mid and high frequency bands to transmit 5G signals to your devices.

Lower bands provide the widest coverage, while mid and high bands deliver faster speeds across smaller areas.

If you want to access 5G speeds in Australia, your phone must support at least one of these bands.

Frequently asked questions

• Is 5G dangerous?

  No. 5G is the exact same technology as 4G; it just uses slightly different frequencies.

  There are some outlandish conspiracy theories about 5G, ranging from increased cancer risks to the deliberate spreading of COVID. None of these theories are supported by credible evidence.

• Is 5G available in my area?

  You can check the coverage maps on each mobile provider's website. Just type in your address to see if you're covered.

• Is 5G good enough for home internet?

  5G has much faster speeds and lower latency than 4G, making it more suitable for home broadband. However, it largely depends on your proximity to 5G towers and how much speed you need. An FTTP connection from the NBN is usually faster and more reliable.

• Can I still get 3G in Australia?

  No. Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone have officially shut down their 3G networks to focus on upgrading and improving their 4G and 5G services.

Written by

Chris Jager

Lead Shopping Editor

Chris Jager is a seasoned journalist with over 15 years of experience in the Australian tech industry. He has contributed his expertise to top tech publications like PC World, Gizmodo, Business Insider, and Lifehacker Australia, where he also served as editor for five years. Chris holds a Bachelor of Communications in Journalism from the University of Western Sydney and is widely regarded as a trusted voice in the tech space. See full bio

Chris's expertise

Chris has written 58 Finder guides across topics including:

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