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DRAFT – Telstra mobile plans review

Our verdict: You can get excellent network coverage on any mobile plan from Telstra but its premium prices may not always be worth it.

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Telstra mobile plans review

Telstra boasts Australia's largest mobile network, which can be a key point of difference for those living in rural or regional areas.

The caveat is its prices can be steep, and not everyone will need the extra perks Telstra offers, like earning Telstra Plus points for rewards, getting the latest phone on a plan or taking advantage of its handy mobile app or streaming freebies.

If you're keen to stick to a budget, a smaller provider using the Telstra network may be a better option.

Pros

  • Access to the largest 4G and 5G networks in Australia
  • Multiple customer support options including in-store assistance
  • Several types of mobile plans available including, month-to-month and long-expiry prepaid plans, SIM-only plans, and handset repayment plans
  • Option to add on international roaming if you're heading overseas
  • No lock-in contract across all plans and the option to sign up via eSIM if you have a compatible handset

Cons

  • Plans are expensive compared to other providers
  • Its SIM-only plans which you'd historically call postpaid plans

Compare Telstra SIM-only mobile plans

1 - 3 of 3
Updated regularly
Product AUFMP-SIM Finder Score Features Data Price Apply Mobile View
Telstra Upfront Basic
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
Telstra Upfront Basic
Postpaid
Finder Score
6.6 Standard
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Telstra 5G/4G network
50GB
No excess data charges
$65
per month
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
Finder Score
6.6 Standard
Data
50GB
Data
Price
$65
per month
View details
Telstra Upfront Essential
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
Telstra Upfront Essential
Postpaid
Finder Score
6.1 Standard
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Telstra 5G/4G network
180GB
No excess data charges
$75
per month
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
Finder Score
6.1 Standard
Data
180GB
Data
Price
$75
per month
View details
Telstra Upfront Premium
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
Telstra Upfront Premium
Postpaid
Finder Score
4.8 Basic
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Telstra 5G/4G network
300GB
No excess data charges
$99
per month
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
Finder Score
4.8 Basic
Data
300GB
Data
Price
$99
per month
View details
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1 - 3 of 8
Updated regularly
Product AUFMP-SIM Finder Score Features Data Price Apply Mobile View
Telstra $12 SIM Kit
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
Telstra $12 SIM Kit
Prepaid
Finder Score
2.7 Basic
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Telstra 5G/4G network
3GB
$12
per 7 day recharge
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
Finder Score
2.7 Basic
Data
3GB
Data
Price
$12
per 7 days expiry
View details
Telstra $35 SIM Kit
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
60GB for $12 for the first recharge, then 15GB for $35/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 21.10.24
Telstra $35 SIM Kit
Prepaid
60GB for $12 for the first recharge, then 15GB for $35/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 21.10.24
Finder Score
9.9 Excellent
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Telstra 5G/4G network
15GB
$35
per 28 day recharge
View details
60GB for $12 for the first recharge, then 15GB for $35/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 21.10.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
Finder Score
9.9 Excellent
Data
15GB
Data
Price
$35
per 28 days expiry
View details
Telstra $45 SIM Kit
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
80GB for $15 for the first recharge, then 25GB for $45/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 7.10.24
Telstra $45 SIM Kit
Prepaid
80GB for $15 for the first recharge, then 25GB for $45/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 7.10.24
Finder Score
7.8 Great
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Telstra 5G/4G network
25GB
$45
per 28 day recharge
View details
80GB for $15 for the first recharge, then 25GB for $45/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 7.10.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
Finder Score
7.8 Great
Data
25GB
Data
Price
$45
per 28 days expiry
View details
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Compare Telstra phones on a plan

Matt Corke

Matt Corke's experience

I've been on a Telstra plan for years, after switching over from Optus due to poor coverage where I lived. Telstra was the only provider which was able to service the valley I lived in. You definitely do pay more of a premium for Telstra, but it comes with great coverage, in-store service and super-fast speeds. Plus, you earn Telstra rewards, which I've redeemed for things like headphones, smart-speakers and Google Pixel Earbuds.
— Matt Corke, Finder crew member

Read a more detailed review on

Coverage
Bonus features
Customer service

coverage icon

Coverage

Telstra's 4G and 5G mobile network coverage is the widest in Australia and can be non-negotiable for people living in regional or remote parts of the country.

Its 4G network reaches 99.5% of the population, while its 5G network, still rolling out, currently covers 87% of Aussies.

If you're budget-conscious, consider smaller providers that use parts of Telstra's network.

  • Good to know: Boost Mobile is the only small provider with full access to Telstra's 4G and 5G networks.

bonus icon

Bonus features

You'll certainly get access to some bells and whistles by signing up with Telstra (you would hope so given the prices!).

🔄 Data rollover on prepaid plans

Unused data going to waste is a shame. Telstra lets you roll over up to 200GB of data as long as you keep recharging your plan before it expires.

❌ No excess charges

Its SIM-only plans won't ever give you a bill shock. That's because once you've exhausted your monthly data allowance your download speeds will simply slow to 1.5Mbps.

🌏 International calls and roaming

You'll get 300 minutes for international calls on all of Telstra's SIM-only plans.

You can also add international roaming, which is handy when you're travelling overseas. Telstra offers roaming packs for both prepaid and SIM-only plans that can be used across 80 countries.

Given there are multiple options available for different use cases, you can read all about them in detail in our guide.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Data sharing

You can bundle up to 5 accounts on Telstra's Essential and Premium SIM-only plans. So choose either one, select a Mobile Bundle Plan or a Data Bundle Plan and add it to your service.

✅ Telstra Plus

Telstra's rewards program allows you to earn points to redeem products available in its Rewards Store.

You'll earn 10 Telstra Plus points for every dollar you spend.

📺 Streaming perks

Telstra's SIM-only plans often include streaming perks, though these can change from time to time.

Some variations include 2 months of BINGE and 4 months of Spotify Premium for new subscribers.

customer service Icon

Customer service

You can reach Telstra's customer support through various means if you have a question or concern:

  • You can give them a call.
  • Talk to them online via the live chat feature on Telstra's website.
  • Get in touch via the My Telstra app, which is also handy for checking plan details, billing and tracking data usage.
  • Heading into a Telstra store (if convenient) for face-to-face help.

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