Our team of mobile plan experts have compared 45 long expiry plans prepaid plans (180 and 365 days) from 16 mobile providers in Australia. We've curated 10 top picks by predominantly focusing on price and network coverage, but also using our expertise to make sure each plan offers a good bang for your buck. Not all long expiry plans will suit your needs so make sure you compare your options before choosing the right one for you.
Why you can trust our research
45 365-day plans analysed
180+ hours of research
Mobile network: Vodafone 4G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $139
We looked at prepaid mobile plans on Finder with a plan length of 365-days or 12 months that cost $150 or less, including any promotional discounts. We then gave each plan a value score by weighting different factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Mobile network: Optus 4G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $159
We looked at prepaid mobile plans on Finder with a plan length of 365-days or 12 months that cost under $200, including any promotional discounts. We then gave each plan a value score by weighting different factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen as the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Mobile network: Vodafone 4G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $139
We looked at prepaid mobile plans on Finder with a plan length of 365-days or 12 months that cost under $250, including any promotional discounts. We then gave each plan a value score by weighting different factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen as the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Mobile network: Vodafone 4G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $199
We looked at prepaid mobile plans on Finder with a plan length of 365-days or 12 months that cost under $350, including any promotional discounts. We then gave each plan a value score by weighting different factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen as the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Mobile network: Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $365
We looked at prepaid mobile plans on Finder with a plan length of 365-days or 12 months that cost under $400, including any promotional discounts. We then gave each plan a value score by weighting different factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen as the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Mobile network: Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $255
We looked at prepaid mobile plans on Finder with a plan length of 365-days or 12 months that cost $300 or less and run on the full and wholesale Telstra networks. We then gave each plan a value score by weighting different factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international calls, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Mobile network: Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $350
Telstra only offers a singular 365-day prepaid mobile plan, so this plan wins by default. We recommend comparing plans from other providers to get the best deal, rather than looking at provider-specific plans.
Mobile network: Optus 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $350
Optus only sells one 365-day prepaid mobile plan, so this plan wins by default. We always recommend comparing plans from other providers to get the best deal, rather than looking at provider-specific plans.
Mobile network: Vodafone 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $320
To choose the best Vodafone 365-day plan, we looked at prepaid mobile plans from Vodafone with a 365-day expiry. Vodafone only offers two plans in this category so we went with whichever plan had the best deal. We recommend comparing plans from other providers to get the best deal, rather than looking at provider-specific plans only.
Mobile network: Optus 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $259
We looked at prepaid mobile plans on Finder with a plan length of 186-days or 6 months that cost under $180, including any promotional discounts. We then gave each plan a value score by weighting different factors including cost per data over 6 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen as the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
As part of the 2024 Finder Awards, we selected the Best Long Expiry Prepaid Mobile Provider and two finalists based on how much their plans cost per day across all long expiry plans, daily cost per gigabyte, network coverage and any applicable download speed caps.
Long expiry prepaid plans last between 90 to 365 days.
They’re well suited for people who don’t mind paying upfront, know which network coverage works best for them and are fairly certain of how much data they need.
Here’s a quick pros and cons list if you’re still unsure:
Apart from the cost of the plan itself and your willingness to pay it upfront, you should consider some other key points before committing to a long expiry plan:
Think about how long you're willing to commit for, whether that's for 90, 180 or 365 days. The longer you commit for, the fewer times in the year you'll need to worry about recharging. Just keep in mind if you choose to leave before your expiry period ends, you'll lose the money you paid upfront.
Choose a data limit that matches your needs. Look at past bills or your account to see how much data you're currently using each month. When in doubt, add a some extra gigs on to how much data you think you'll use. You don't want to get stuck with not enough data after committing to a plan long term. Also keep in mind that some plans allocate monthly data limits. Reading the fine print before signing up!
"I used to be lazy and just top up my phone each month. I then realised that the monthly cost for a 365 day plan worked out to be far cheaper and I wouldn't exceed the data limit. The savings was $16 per month less than what I was paying, which meant I was able to reduce my phone bill by $192 a year."
Around 16 mobile providers in our database offer long expiry prepaid mobile plans.
Some popular ones include Everyday Mobile (Woolies), Coles Mobile, OnePass Mobile (formerly Catch Connect), amaysim, ALDImobile, Kogan Mobile, Boost Mobile, Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.
Here’s a full list of mobile providers with long expiry plans:
Want options beyond our curated selection of top picks? You'll find mobile plans with expiry periods between 90 and 365 days in the comparison table below.
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Pay as you go mobile plans are a great way to save money if you don't use your phone very often.
I am an older lady with not a lot of understanding re my mobile phone. I am with Optus pre paid. But it keeps running out of money. I usually pay $30 at a time. It doesn’t seem to last out the month. I rarely use my phone. It’s more for an emergency, when I’m away from home, as I can’t get coverage at home. Which plan would suit me best?
Hi Roslyn, I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble with your mobile plan. You can take a look at our guide to cheap plans under $20 https://www.finder.com.au/mobile-plans/cheap-mobile-plans or if you’re after better coverage at home you can also check out these plans from Telstra MVNOs https://www.finder.com.au/mobile-plans/best-mvno-plans-on-the-telstra-network or prepaid plans from Telstra itself https://www.finder.com.au/mobile-plans/telstra-mobile.
I’m looking for a long term data only plan, preferably 5 years if possible. Data usage is low, just monitoring power at a site with no internet access.
Hi Dean,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Currently, long expiry prepaid plans are up to 365 days which is for a year. Kindly contact your chosen provider if they may provide a modified mobile plan for your needs.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
I intend to buy a prepaid mobile plan for 365 days. My present plan will end on 25/04/2019. Can I buy now and activate the SIM card nearer to the end date of my present plan?
Hi John,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
There are SIM providers that may allow you to buy a SIM now and then activate on a later time. You may need to check this with the specific SIM provider whom you are considering to buy a prepaid SIM so you can be advised accordingly. This is normally applicable if you are to get a new mobile number. If you intend to port your number, you need to let the incoming provider know that you are planning to move your number and check their porting time frame so you can consider and check your options.
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Mai
Hello, great article, but it seems as though none of the pre-paid plans listed allow calls to be received when roaming internationally? What prepaid long expiry plans allow you to receive calls internationally?
Hi Matt,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Our company finder.com.au is a financial comparison website and general information service designed to help consumers to make a better decision. Please note we do not represent any company we feature on our pages.
On this article, you may need to contact the providers to inquiry if they have an offer to receive a call from overseas.
Cheers,
Harold
Can these SIM cards be used in a Telstra mobile phone?
Hi Aldimobile,
Thank you for your enquiry.
You can use any of the SIM cards featured on this page if you have an unlocked mobile phone, however, you can only use a Telstra SIM card on a Telstra locked phone. You can get in touch with Telstra for assistance in unlocking your Telstra locked phone.
Cheers,
Jason