We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked these
It can be overwhelming to sift through all the options. Don't worry though, we've simplified the process to help you find a mobile plan that works for you.
This is the first question to ask yourself when choosing a phone plan.
💡 Pro tip: You can keep your existing phone number when switching providers, and it's easy to bring it with you no matter where you switch.
Start by checking how much data you use, because there's a good chance you're paying for more than you need (and could save money!). Many Australians overestimate how much data they need; based on research from the ACCC, the average Aussie uses around 14GB each month on average - far less than the 40GB most people choose as per our research.
💡 Pro tip: If you mostly use Wi-Fi and don't stream much on the go, a smaller data plan could save you money. Second, check your previous bills to get a clear picture of your typical usage. If you're still not sure of how much you use, there's more info below.
Coverage matters, especially if you live in rural or regional areas. Price and data won't matter much if you're constantly losing signal!
💡 Pro tip: Check the mobile phone provider's network coverage map before signing up.
Some mobile plans come with extras like international calls, data rollover or travel roaming.
💡 Pro tip: If you don't need these features, focus on finding a plan with the right price and data (unlimited local calls and texts are usually a given).
You could be overpaying by sticking with the same provider or plan for too long – or only looking at the big brands like Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. As a rule, it's a good idea to compare mobile plans every 6 to 12 months, or anytime your provider raises prices.
In Australia, there are three main types of mobile phone plans:
Each has its benefits depending on your needs.
There's less of a distinction between prepaid and postpaid plans these days, especially with the removal of lock-in contracts for postpaid. Here's a quick breakdown of the differences:
| Prepaid plans | Postpaid plans | |
|---|---|---|
| Contract length | No lock-in contract | Usually no lock-in contract |
| Payment period | Paid upfront | Billed monthly |
| Excess charges | No excess data charges | Some providers charge for excess data use, while others slow your speeds |
| Expiry period | 7-day, 28-day, 30-day, and long-expiry plans (90, 180, or 365 days), as well as monthly options | Monthly |
| Recharges | Unless auto-recharge is set up, you will need to actively renew your plan before it expires | The plan will continue monthly unless you cancel |
Buying a phone outright is cheaper in the long run, but it's not easy to fork out a big chunk of cash upfront, especially if you're eyeing something from Samsung, Apple or Google.
Telstra, Optus and Vodafone allow you to pay for your phone in monthly instalments over 12, 24 or 36 months. There's no lock-in contract, and you can leave anytime by paying off the remaining phone cost.
New phone launches in particular are a great time to get on a plan if you want extra bells and whistles during the pre-order period.
In fact, we'll soon have the first major phone launch of the year in less than a month.
According to rumours, Samsung will be unveiling the Galaxy S26 series on February 2026.
If you’re ready to upgrade and aren’t fussed about the upcoming launch, you can also compare plans for phones from the major tech brands.
Understanding how much data you need is key to avoiding overpaying.
Activities like browsing and social media don't use as much data as you'd think, so you can probably get by with less than 15GB, especially if you're on Wi-Fi most of the time.
Streaming and downloads, however, can burn through data quickly. If you're out and about a lot or have a long commute, you might want some extra buffer: at least 20-25GB a month.
We consider anything above 40GB a month a high data plan.
| Data | Activities |
|---|---|
| 3GB - 10 GB | Enough for casual web browsing, social media, occasional music streaming and some online gaming |
| 15GB - 20GB | Great for regular web browsing, moderate streaming, gaming and occasional YouTube viewing |
| 30GB and above | Perfect for those who frequently stream high-definition videos or download large files like movies, TV shows and video games |
If you're still worried about going over your data allowance, consider an unlimited data mobile plan.
In most cases, once you've used up your data, your speeds will drop from anywhere between 256Kbps to 2Mbps. That's still enough for basic things like checking emails or browsing, but you might struggle with heavier tasks.
"My wife and I were both paying $44 a month each on our mobile plans, with more data than we needed. I thought it was a good deal until I found a 365-day plan with 120GB of data for $119, which works out to $10 each per month. Still, more data than we need since we're almost always connected to our Wi-Fi at home, but it will save us $800 a year!"
Australia's three mobile networks - Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone - each have pros and cons. Smaller providers use their networks to offer mobile plans.
Network coverage is important because it affects how smoothly you can do things like browse the web or stream content on your phone.
Telstra has the widest network coverage in Australia and leads in rural and regional areas.
Optus offers good coverage in major cities, at a lower price than Telstra.
Vodafone is the most affordable but has slightly limited coverage outside cities.
A 5G mobile connection offers faster speeds, particularly in crowded areas. But if you don't use much data, have an older phone that doesn't support 5G or live where the coverage is patchy, 4G might be enough.
The good news? Many mobile plans now include both 4G and 5G, especially with 3G now phased out, so you won't have to pay a premium price for faster speeds.
There are an overwhelming number of mobile plans available from over 40+ providers. More than 300 to be exact. You also have to figure out how each of their costs stack up against the amount of data you’re getting in return. We group plans into 3 categories - month to month plans, long expiry plans under $250 and long expiry plans for $250 and above.
That's where the Finder Score comes in. The score is a simple way for you to compare mobile plans at a glance.
Here's how the scores work:
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Hi, I live in a rural area in Victoria, I’m currently on an optus $55 plan with 70gb data. I would like to find a plan that will give me the best rural/regional coverage. My mobile won’t work from home without WiFi calling so I’d like that to change. I’d like a plan that covers this (sim/only) thats cheaper and has less data. Cheers
Hi Grant, it might be worth checking out plans that run on the Telstra network. You either have the option of signing up with Telstra directly (their prepaid plans are cheaper than postpaid) or you could try a smaller provider that runs on the Telstra network. You can check out some of our top picks here: https://www.finder.com.au/mobile-plans/best-mvno-plans-on-the-telstra-network. I would also suggest check the coverage map on the provider’s website before signing ip. Hope this helps!
I’m after Telstra
Hi Tameka,
You can learn more about Telstra phone plans here. Hope this helps!
Why can’t I get a phone on a plan
Hi Nicholas, you can get a phone on a plan from Optus, Telstra or Vodafone. In this guide https://www.finder.com.au/mobile-plans, there’s a quiz at the top which asks you if you want a SIM only plan or a phone on a plan if you click on the drop down option. Hope this helps!
Hello Kim, I just got an apple watch cellular and realised my belong plan doesn’t allow a shared number. I also need to make int calls to Germany and international roaming when I’m travelling to Europe. Since I live rural I need the Telstra network. I cannot seem to find a plan that matches all my criteria. I don’t need a lot of data, roughly 7GB a month.
Hi Cindy.
The easiest solution is to get a cheap Telstra plan with the following add-ons:
Pre-Paid International Roaming Pack: This is available on most Telstra SIM-only plans with prices starting at $10. You only pay when you need it.
Telstra One Number: This allows you to share your mobile number with your Apple Watch. It costs $5 a month. Your watch gets the same number as your mobile, and the monthly charge simply goes on your mobile bill.
With the aforementioned add-ons, you just need a plan with international calls to Germany.
Telstra’s $39 Pre-Paid SIM Starter Kit plan includes 300 minutes of calls and 100 texts to Germany per month. It comes with 15GB data per month. Hope this helps!
I want to go from Optus to Telstra are there any specials on the Samsung S25
Hi Kim, Telstra’s offering a bonus Galaxy Tab 9 when you sign up to an S25 / S25+ / S25 Ultra phone plan. You can check out the offers here https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/mobiles-on-a-plan. There’s up to a $500 discount on the S24 in case you don’t mind an older model. Hope this helps!