If you're looking for a convenient travel SIM to use in Australia, as well as other countries as part of your holiday, consider getting a travel eSIM before you arrive.
eSIMs allow for almost instant activation and you can find good value data packs that can be used in hundreds of countries and regions worldwide.
Just keep in mind that not all travel packs come with international calls included, if that's something you're after.
If you're coming to Australia for a short visit, Lycamobile's Small plan lasts for a week and is great value at just $1 per 1GB.
Lycamobile is available to purchase in some Australian airports, but can also easily be picked up at many convenience store chains such as EzyMart.
amaysim is Australia's fourth-biggest mobile provider and operates on the Optus 4G network. It gets access to the full network so you'll get the same coverage as if you're with Optus itself.
amaysim usually throws in extra data deals and price cuts on its plans, which bumps up what you're getting.
You'll also get international call inclusions with amaysim, which can make reaching home a lot easier.
amaysim doesn't offer a standalone store, but you can pick it up from various stores and post offices. Check Australia Post, the airport supermarket or a general store at the international arrivals area to see if they have an amaysim plan for you to buy.
Telstra offers the widest network coverage in Australia but its own prices are set at a premium. If you're looking for excellent coverage but don't want to spend a lot of money, then Boost Mobile can sort you out.
It's great for travellers going around regional or rural Australia and want to continue getting strong signals wherever they end up.
Boost is another provider that likes throwing in price and data promotions, making its value a lot better when you first sign up.
There's no specific Boost kiosk at Australian airports but you might be able to pick up a Boost SIM from the airport supermarket or newsagency. You can also get a Boost SIM from a bunch of locations such as Australia Post, Coles, Woolworths and Caltex.
Choosing the right SIM card for your visit to Australia means ticking off a few boxes other than price. These include:
Where will you be visiting in Australia? Will you be travelling around or sticking to the main cities? Those looking to branch out should consider mobile plans on one of the larger mobile networks such as Telstra or Optus.
Avoid having to recharge your plan before its time by choosing the right amount of data. Will you be streaming Spotify if you plan to take long road trips or stream Netflix on the bus? Or do you just need enough data to use Google Maps, social media and WhatsApp?
These could be important to you if calling friends and family back home isn't possible via WhatsApp, Zoom or a similar service.
Choose a plan that best suits your time in Australia. While most plans last about 28–30 days, you'll find some short-term mobile plans for 1–14 days too.
There are 3 mobile networks in Australia: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Smaller providers, also known as MVNOs, run on 1 of the 3 networks.
Here's an overview of what makes each one different.
Telstra offers the most extensive 4G network in Australia, covering 99.5% of the Aussie population. Its reputation for coverage makes it a strong bet if you plan to spend time in rural or regional Australia.
But if you don't want to splash some cash for its premium prices, then it's best to consider smaller providers that run on the Telstra network.
Telstra splits its network access into 2. It offers 99.5% coverage on its own plans and those from Boost Mobile while other smaller providers on its 4G network have 98.8% coverage.
See our top picks for the best mobile plans on the Telstra network
Optus is a close runner-up to Telstra as its 4G network reaches 98.5% of Aussies. Its prices are slightly more favourable too.
You won't notice much difference between Optus and Telstra if you're only visiting large towns and cities, which makes it a solid choice for most travellers.
Optus also opens its full 4G network to the largest number of smaller providers. If price is an issue, you're bound to find a bargain from a smaller provider on the Optus network.
"When I arrived in Australia 8 years ago to travel, I signed up for an Optus SIM at the airport. It allowed for unlimited calls and texts to my friends and family overseas as well as plenty of data."
See our top picks for the best mobile plans on the Optus network
Vodafone's network covers 96% of the Australian population and could be a strong option if you're sticking to populated towns and cities.
Vodafone offers the cheapest prices of the lot, so if you're more comfortable signing up directly with a provider, you could do well with it.
While having loads of data can be handy, it also usually means spending more on your mobile plan.
Consider whether you're happy to use free Wi-Fi for the time you're in Australia. This is available at most accommodations, some cafes and restaurants and even in shopping centres and outdoors in major cities.
If you're going down the free Wi-Fi route, it means you can save on your mobile plan by picking one with less data.
But if you plan on being on the road often, it's best to opt for a SIM card with plenty of data so you don't rack up any excess usage charges.
It can be easy to contact friends and family if they're used to WhatsApp calls or similar services.
But you might need to consider international call inclusions if your grandma needs to be called directly on her home phone or for instances of emergency. This can include contacting your embassy back home due to a lost passport, or the bank to address any credit card issues.
There are quite a few short-term plans for trips that last anywhere between 1 and 14 days, which can be convenient if you don't want a lot of data.
But if you're visiting Australia for longer and reckon you'll need a hefty amount of data to get by, then you're better off getting a monthly prepaid SIM. These often give you a better bang for your buck.
Find more options for your trip down under in our comparison table.
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