Very few providers offer seniors discounts on mobile plans. The good news is you can easily find a great deal on a regular mobile plan to keep the costs low.
We've compared over 300 mobile plans from 48 mobile providers in Australia and curated 5 top picks based on price, network and expert analysis.
If these don't quite fit, check out our comparison table below for some of the cheapest mobile plans on Finder that cost under $30 a month - including yearly options that work out to the same price.
Why you can trust our research
325 SIM-only plans analysed
758 Australians surveyed
180+ hours of research
Mobile network: Optus 4G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $208.95
To find the best cheap mobile plan for seniors, we looked at mobile plans from Finder partners that cost $20 a month of less. We then gave each shortlisted plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of 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.
Mobile network: Vodafone 4G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $225
To find the best value mobile plan for seniors, we looked at mobile plans on Finder that cost under $30 per month. We then gave each shortlisted plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of 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: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $290
We looked at mobile plans on Finder that cost under $30 per month and run on the Telstra wholesale and full network. We gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), 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: $149
We compared prepaid mobile plans on Finder that cost under $200. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of 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: Vodafone 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $315
We looked at mobile plans on Finder that cost under $40 per month and offer international calls and texts for free. We gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Finding the cheapest mobile plan will require you to consider a few things:
Telstra offers a $19 a month discount on its Starter mobile plan if you have a valid Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans' Affairs card.
It'll end up costing $31 a month for 5GB which is fairly poor value compared to regular mobile plans that run on the Telstra network. Only consider it if you need to sign up with Telstra directly.
Otherwise, check out our top picks for mobile plans that run on the Telstra network.
Vodafone offers seniors card holders 10% off monthly plan fees on its SIM-only plans that start at $49 a month for 50GB.
Again, this is fairly expensive compared to other mobile plans in our database, including our top picks in this guide.
In fact, the starting cost of a prepaid plan from Vodafone is cheaper at $35 per 28 days for 25GB.
Optus doesn't offer a seniors discount. If you want to sign up, the cheapest option is its prepaid plan - $35 per 28 days for 20GB.
Or, you can check out our top picks for mobile plans that run on the Optus network instead.
While there are no seniors plans for TPG, its plans still offer great value for money, especially for the first 6 months with prices being discounted by 50%.
Prices start at $25 a month for 25GB without any promos.
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Describe what is included in the DATA limit?
Hi Bill, the data limit will include any online activity on your phone when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi – so most commonly that means apps, browsing, watching video and video calls. Hope this helps!
My husband uses very little data and l use under 10 gb is there a mobile plan we can combine our numbers we are seniors
Hi Robyn, I’m not aware of any cheap plan that will let you combine multiple numbers on a single plan. While some business plans offer this, this would be much more expensive than just buying two cheap consumer plans. If you’re a light data user, 365-day expiry plans are worth looking at.
I want to know which providers allow you to pay with Paypal?
Hi Catherine, it’s rare that a provider offers Paypal as a method of payment. You can check here which places offer you to pay via Paypal https://www.paypal.com/au/webapps/mpp/shop-with-paypal. Telstra used to but it may have gotten rid of the option. It’s best to verify with the provider directly before signing up.
what plan and Iphone would you recommend for my 83 yr old dad
Hi Luffy,
Thank you for leaving a question.
The plans that are offered to Seniors are of different categories. You may want to check first how to maximise the value of the plan you wish to take based on how you would be using it. Will you be using it more on data? Text and calls perhaps? Please include these factors when choosing a plan that suits your needs. As per the Iphone, Depending on your budget, you may want to check the newest flagship of Apple which is the iPhone X. But if you are not into getting the newest version, most of the older iPhones have most of the features present in the new flagship. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
I have a 94yo friend and want to get her a very cheap (no data or internet) phone with large numbers – where can I find a comparison?
Hi Maggie,
Thanks for leaving a question on Finder.
We have outlined everything you need to know in our article above. If your friend is careful with her money or surviving only on a pension, she does not have the money to splash around on high-end mobile plans. For her, a mobile phone is a calling tool first and foremost, with a strong focus on a lower overall cost of usage. She can check out Amaysim As You Go or ALDImobile PAYG
You can also check out our list of mobile plans so you can personalise your search. Once you have chosen a particular plan, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.
Cheers,
Joel