Best mobile phone plans for seniors

Avoiding overpaying for your mobile plan is simple, even without a seniors discount. We've listed our top 5 picks and included tips to help you save.

Mariam Gabaji's headshot

By

Mariam Gabaji

Updated

Fact checked
Top pick: Cheap
Yomojo logo
8GB
$9.95
per 30 days expiry
$9.95/recharge for the first 3 recharges, then $19.90/recharge Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.3.25
Top pick: Value
iiNet logo
25GB
$12.50
per month
$12.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $25/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
Top pick: 365-day
Catch Connect logo
200GB
$149
per 365 days expiry
$149 for the first recharge, then $200/recharge after. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 29.4.25
Top pick: International calls
TPG logo
50GB
$17.50
per month
$17.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $35/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
Top pick: Telstra Network
Tangerine Telecom logo
25GB
$14.50
per month
$14.50/mth for the first 4 months, then $29/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.3.25

Start comparing

Finding the best mobile plans for seniors

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

Mariam Gabaji
Expert picks reviewed by Mariam Gabaji – Utilities editor at Finder

Best cheap mobile plan for seniors

Yomojo 8GB

minutes
Calls & Text
8GB
data
$9.95
per 30 days
Yomojo 8GB logo

$9.95/recharge for the first 3 recharges, then $19.90/recharge Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.3.25
Go to site

Pros & cons:

  • You’ll save close to $30 over three months with Yomojo’s offer. It’s also one of the cheapest month-to-month mobile plans in our database.
  • Uses the Optus 4G network, Australia's second-largest for coverage.
  • Sign up easily with an eSIM on a compatible handset, so you don’t have to wait for a physical SIM to arrive in the mail.
  • The price of the plan will revert to $19.90 a month after three months.

Mobile network: Optus 4G network

Total cost over first 12 months: $208.95

Why we chose it

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.

Best value mobile plan for seniors

iiNet Small Plan

Unlimited
Calls & Text
25GB
data
$12.50
per month
iiNet Small Plan logo

$12.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $25/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
Go to site

Pros & cons:

  • iiNet’s offer will save you $75 over 6 months.
  • The plan includes 100 international minutes and as many texts to 31 selected countries.
  • Option to sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible handset.
  • The price reverts to $25 a month after 6 months.

Mobile network: Vodafone 4G network

Total cost over first 12 months: $225

Why we chose it

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.

Best mobile plan for seniors on the Telstra network

Tangerine 25GB 5G SIM

Unlimited
Calls & Text
25GB
data
$14.50
per month
Tangerine 25GB 5G SIM logo

$14.50/mth for the first 4 months, then $29/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.3.25
Read review

Pros & cons:

  • You’ll save $58 over 4 months with Tangerine’s offer.
  • You can bank up to 1000GB of unused data for future use.
  • Save 10% on your mobile bill when you bundle with one of Tangerine's broadband plans.
  • Unlimited calls and texts to 15 selected countries.
  • Option to sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible handset.
  • You can sign up for Tangerine’s 12GB plan for $22 a month now or switch after four months if you want to save on ongoing costs and don’t need that much data.
  • There's a $3.50 charge for non-direct debit payments.

Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network

Total cost over first 12 months: $290

Why we chose it

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.

Best 365-day mobile plan for seniors

Catch Connect 365 Day Plan 200GB

Unlimited
Calls & Text
200GB
data
$149
per 365 days
Catch Connect 365 Day Plan 200GB logo

$149 for the first recharge, then $200/recharge after. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 29.4.25
Go to site

Pros & cons:

  • This offer is the equivalent of paying around $12.50 for 17GB each month. This stacks up well against our $1 per GB benchmark.
  • Catch offers a handy mobile app to help you track data usage and manage your plan.
  • It received the highly commended award for 'Long Expiry Prepaid Mobile Plan' in the 2024 Finder Product Awards.
  • The price of the plan reverts to $200 from the second recharge.
  • Light on extra features like data roll over or international call inclusions.

Mobile network: Optus 4G network

Total cost over first 12 months: $149

Why we chose it

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.

Best mobile plan with international calls

TPG Medium

Unlimited
Calls & Text
50GB
data
$17.50
per month
TPG Medium logo

$17.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $35/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
Go to site

Pros & cons:

  • You’ll get unlimited standard international minutes and texts to 31 selected countries including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Singapore, the UK, USA, Thailand, South Korea, Mexico and Germany.
  • Save $105 over 6 months with the current offer.
  • Pay $30 instead of $35 ongoing after 6 months if you bundle with TPG’s internet plan.
  • 5G download speeds are capped at 150Mbps but this is still fast enough for most online activities.

Mobile network: Vodafone 4G/5G network

Total cost over first 12 months: $315

Why we chose it

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.

Compare cheap mobile plans for seniors

1 - 3 of 105
Updated regularly
BrandProduct Data Price Apply Price
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 4G/5G network
25GB
No excess data charges
$12.50
per month
Go to site
View details
felix Subscription 25GB
GREEN COMPANY
$12.50/mth for the first 3 months, then $25/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
25 GB
Data
$12.50
per month
Go to siteView details
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G network
30GB
$12.50
per 28 day recharge
Go to site
View details
Catch Connect 28 Day Plan 30GB Online Exclusive
Exclusive
$12.50/recharge for the first 6 recharges, then $25/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 8.4.25
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
30 GB
Data
$12.50
per 28 days expiry
Go to siteView details
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 4G network
25GB
$12.50
per month
Go to site
View details
TPG Small
$12.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $25/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
25 GB
Data
$12.50
per month
Go to siteView details
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How do I find the best mobile plan for seniors?

Finding the cheapest mobile plan will require you to consider a few things:

  • How much are you willing to pay? There are plenty of options for different price ranges starting as low as $5. Make sure you compare your options before deciding on one.
  • Do you need extra features? While some plans come with features such as data-free streaming and data rollover, consider whether you'll actually use these. Plans with fewer bonus features will usually still offer unlimited national calls and texts, with better value for data if you need it.
  • How much data do you need? If you don't use your phone a lot or only occasionally use the "Find My Phone" or weather app, you'll likely only need as little as 1–2GB of data a month. If you don't have a smartphone, you won't need any data at all.
  • Are you willing to sign up long term to save? Long-expiry options exist which can give you enough features to last 6–12 months. This means you won't need to top up your plan every month, as long as you haven't run out before the expiry period. These plans are usually better value over time compared to month-to-month plans since you're paying upfront for a longer period of use.

Do seniors get a discount from Telstra?

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 seniors discount on mobile plans

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.

Does Optus have a seniors discount?

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.

TPG mobile plans for seniors

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.

Mariam Gabaji's headshot
Written by

Senior Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

Mariam Gabaji is a journalist with 13 years of experience, specialising in consumer topics like mobile services and energy costs. Her work appears in the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, The Guardian, SBS, 7News, A Current Affair and Money Magazine. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and was a finalist for the 2024 IT Journalism Award for Best Telecommunications Journalist. See full bio

Mariam's expertise
Mariam has written 333 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Energy
  • Mobile
  • Broadband
  • Consumer tech
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14 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    RayJuly 5, 2017

    I am just on 64, almost retired & have a 2G mobile phone . I’ve received emails & texts saying that I have to upgrade to a 3G or 4G mobile phone by August 1st. I don’t use the phone very much. I usually get $30 Virgin credit & it lasts me for about 6 months. I would like to get a replacement (probably 4G) mobile with similar conditions. Can you advise a phone & will it still be possible to get the $30 credit so that I only get charged on the calls or texts that I make?

    Regards
    Ray

      Default Gravatar
      JonathanJuly 6, 2017

      Hello Ray!

      Thanks for the comment. :)

      Please be advised that you have reached finder and we provide generic advice.

      Whether buying it outright or checking your telco provider if they offer this on a cheap mobile plan is your choice. Getting into a plan may give you bigger calls and texts value, not to mention, you may qualify for some Senior’s Discount! :)

      Good Luck with your choice! I know you want this to keep connected to your loved ones.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Jonathan

    Default Gravatar
    JuliaMarch 28, 2017

    I am about to transfer my number to another person and need a new number. Am I able to have a choice of numbers and pick a favorite?

      Finder
      MayMarch 28, 2017Finder

      Hi Julia,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      There are providers that will let you choose a mobile number. In order to request this, please contact your chosen mobile plan provider directly.

      Cheers,
      May

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