SIM only plans

What is a SIM only plan?

SIM only is a type of mobile plan where you pay for calls, texts and data. The SIM usually comes included with the plan and you don't get a phone with the SIM, which is why it's known as "SIM only" or a BYO phone plan.

A SIM only plan can traditionally be categorised as one of 2 types: prepaid or postpaid.

However, the concept of a postpaid plan is fairly outdated since you no longer get locked into a contract 99% of time and often providers such as Telstra will ask you to pay upfront when you sign up.

Even from a cost perspective, the price of month-to-month prepaid plans in our database averages $38 a month and postpaid sits at $40 a month. However, paying upfront for a long-expiry prepaid plan, like a 12-month option, can be a cheaper way to save.

• Good to know: Historically SIM only plans were postpaid as they were tied to handset repayment contracts. Nowadays these don't come attached to handsets and can be purchased separately, often on a month-to-month basis.

"I've been using SIM only plans for years now. It's got to be one of the easiest things to switch so I change providers every year. There's always a different deal worth snapping up."

Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

Do you need a SIM card with your plan?

In Australia, it's still common to get a SIM card with your mobile plan. You will usually need to buy a SIM card from the store or order it online. The SIM will then need to be inserted into your phone so you can activate your plan.

Some providers also offer the option to sign up with an eSIM, which is a newer technology rolling out in Australia.

An eSIM allows you to set up your mobile plan digitally without the need of a physical SIM card, meaning you don't have to wait for your SIM to arrive by post. This can be especially useful when you're travelling overseas.

Who has the cheapest SIM only plans in Australia?

Some of the cheapest SIM only plans on Finder come from providers such as Flip, ALDImobile, Lebara and Catch Connect. We have a guide comparing cheap mobile plans if you're looking for a starting point.

Keep in mind though that the cheapest option won't always mean you're going to get the best value for your money. Plans might cost less but do they offer enough data and features to match your requirements?

Meet our 2024 Finder Award winners for mobile plans

2024 Finder Award for Best Budget Mobile Provider

TPG was a standout this year for the budget category because it stacks up well for price and data, especially when it's running frequent promotional offers.

Full list of 2024 winners

2024 Finder Award for Best Prepaid Mobile Providers

TPG and felix impressed us this year for offering great value thanks to their competitive pricing and data allowances.

Full list of 2024 winners

2024 Finder Award for Best SIM Only Mobile Providers (Postpaid)

SpinTel and Circles.Life topped the charts this year for offering value for money. Their plans are well-priced and come with generous data allowances.

Full list of 2024 winners

2024 Finder Award for Best Long Expiry Prepaid Mobile Provider

Kogan's 365-day mobile plans are some of the best around. They offer fantastic value for money and come with Wi-Fi calling and instant eSIM setup.

Full list of 2024 winners

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What do you get on a SIM only plan?

There are a few features to look out for when choosing a SIM only plan to help you differentiate them all. Just keep in mind that if you're not in need of any of the following features, keep it simple and get a well-priced plan with just calls, texts and data.

Data rollover

Also known as data banking, this allows you to bank unused data for future use. Usually providers will let you roll over your data for either your next recharge or up to a certain data limit (e.g. 200GB).

No excess data charges

This is essentially how "unlimited data" mobile plans in Australia operate. Once you've used up your data allowance, your speeds will usually get capped to 1.5–2Mbps until your next billing cycle. This helps avoid any bill shock.

International calls

Some providers may offer unlimited international calls to selected countries on some of their plans, or alternatively they could offer a certain number of minutes or credit to call friends or family overseas.

International roaming

International roaming add-ons are becoming a more frequent feature with smaller providers and not just limited to the likes of Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. They can help ease any travel jitters if you can't access a local SIM straight away.

Wi-Fi calling

Wi-Fi calling can be an important feature if you're having trouble with mobile network signals at your home or elsewhere indoors as it allows you to make calls over the internet.

Do SIM only plans now come with 5G?

5G is now becoming a more prominent feature on SIM only plans, from both big and smaller mobile providers including Boost Mobile, Belong and amaysim.

There are 39 out of 48 providers offering 5G plans on Finder and one offering plans with a free 5G trial.

You can check out our top picks for 5G mobile plans as a starting point to compare your options.

• Keep in mind: You'll need to have a compatible smartphone and have 5G coverage available in your area to take advantage of this faster network.

Can I get an unlimited data SIM only plan?

You can get an unlimited data SIM only plan, with prices starting at just $10 a month. However, you'll need to understand that unlimited data mobile plans come with a couple of caveats.

In Australia, most plans with unlimited data actually come with a monthly data allowance (anywhere between 15GB and 360GB), but they're considered unlimited because you won't get charged for going over this allowance.

Instead, providers will reduce your downloads speeds to around 1.5–2Mbps once you've used up your data allowance for the month.

This means you won't ever be hit with excess data charges but you'll have to put up with slow speeds until your plan renews the next month.

Only felix mobile comes close to offering a truly unlimited data plan. There's no data limit so you can use as much as you want but your speeds will be capped at 20Mbps the whole time.

Will my SIM only plan work overseas?

The only provider that gives you the option to use your exact SIM only plan overseas in 100+ countries is Vodafone. You'll need to enable international roaming for $5 a day to do so.

Other providers may offer international roaming add-ons so you can take your plan overseas, but your call, text and data inclusions will be different.

Is a SIM only plan right for me?

Here's a rundown of the pros and cons of signing up to a SIM only plan so you can decide if it's right for you:

Who offers SIM only plans in Australia?

There are 3 network providers in Australia – Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. They allow smaller providers also known as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) to access their network in order to sell SIM only plans.

MVNOs normally have cheaper prices than the big 3. According to Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker, Australians spend as much as $65 a month with the big 3, but around $27 a month with a smaller telco. That's a difference of $456 over a year.

MVNOs that run on the Optus and Vodafone network have full access to their coverage. For Telstra it's slightly different.

The majority of Telstra MVNOs run on its wholesale network that reaches 98.8% of the Aussie population. Only Boost Mobile has access to full Telstra coverage which reaches 99.7% of the population.

Telstra SIM only plans

SIM only plans from Telstra start at $65 a month for 50GB. You also get:

• 4G and 5G access with the largest network in Australia.
• No excess data charges. Your download speeds will be slowed down to 1.5Mbps once you've used up your monthly data allowance.
• Access to Telstra Plus rewards program which allows you to earn points and redeem on products.
• Unlimited international texts and 30 minutes of international calls.

• Check out other providers that run on the Telstra network

  • ALDImobile
  • Alphacall
  • Belong Mobile
  • Better Life Mobile
  • Boost Mobile
  • C Mobile
  • EscapeNet
  • Everyday Mobile (formerly Woolworths Mobile)
  • Exetel
  • Goodtel
  • JB Hi-Fi

  • Konec Mobile
  • MATE
  • More Telecom
  • numobile
  • Pennytel
  • Superloop
  • Tangerine
  • TeleChoice
  • Telsim
  • Think Mobile

Optus SIM only plans

Optus has the second largest network in Australia. Its SIM only plans start at $52 a month for 50GB and come with:

• 4G and 5G network access.
• No excess data charges. Once you've used up your data for the month your download speeds will be capped at 1.5Mbps until your next billing cycle.
• Unlimited international talk and text to 35 selected countries on its Medium Optus Choice Plus plan and above.
• International roaming. $5 a day for 5GB in 100+ countries.

• Check out other providers that run on the Optus network

  • AGL
  • amaysim
  • Aussie Broadband
  • Bendigo Telco
  • Catch Connect
  • Circles.Life
  • Coles Mobile
  • Commander
  • Dodo

  • E.Tel
  • Flip Mobile
  • iPrimus
  • Moose Mobile
  • Southern Phone
  • Spintel
  • Swoop
  • Spriggy
  • Yomojo

Vodafone SIM only plans

Vodafone's SIM only plans start at $49 a month for 50GB. It offers the least amount of coverage out of the big 3 but is the cheapest of the lot. You also get:

• Access to its 4G and 5G network.
• No excess data charges. Once you've run through your monthly data allowance, your download speeds will be capped at 2Mbps.
• International roaming. Use your plan overseas for $5 a day in 100+ countries.

• Check out other providers that run on the Vodafone network

  • C Mobile
  • felix mobile
  • iiNet
  • Kogan Mobile
  • Lebara Mobile

  • ZenSim
  • Lycamobile
  • Think Mobile
  • TPG

Why compare mobile phone plans with Finder?

Call us fan boys (and gals). Because nerding out on data inclusions and discount sim deals is in our DNA.

We hate sneaky fees. Paying $2 per extra megabyte? Not on our watch. We're deep in the weeds, fact-checking dozens of Aussie telco contracts to keep you aware of the hidden ts & cs.

Tried and tested. We give these plans a run for their money and listen to the feedback of the millions of Aussies who have used our plans comparison.

Frequently asked questions

• Which is the best SIM in Australia?

  This will largely depend on your budget, data needs and network preference.

  Fret not though. We round up the best SIM only plans every month across a bunch of categories, taking into account the latest promotions and discounts available.

• Can I use my SIM only plan for data only?

  Yes, you can use a SIM only plan for data only. Just keep in mind that if you're hotspotting to another personal device any excessive use such as downloading large files over an extended period may be flagged with the provider.

  You can compare high-data SIM only plans to match your needs.

  Alternatively, you could also consider a mobile broadband plan which works anywhere you can get mobile signals.

• Is it better to buy a phone on a plan or get a SIM only plan and buy it outright?

  This depends on what your budget looks like. Buying a phone outright will usually be cheaper since you can then pair your handset with a SIM only plan from any provider.

  Buying a phone on a plan is easier on the pocket as your repayments will be made over 12, 24 or 36 months.

  Phone plans are also primarily offered by Telstra, Optus and Vodafone so you'll always end up paying more in the long run as their SIM only plans are generally more expensive than those offered by smaller providers.

• Can I get a SIM only plan for my Apple Watch?

  You will need a GPS + Cellular model of the Apple Watch to get a SIM only plan that comes with an eSIM feature.

  For now, only Telstra, Optus and Vodafone allow you to set up a phone plan for your Apple Watch. According to Apple, you need to use the same carrier for both your iPhone and Watch.

  Depending on the telco, you'll pay anywhere between $5 and $10 a month to sync your number.

• Why are Telstra SIM only plans so expensive?

  Thanks to Telstra having the widest network coverage in Australia, it can kind of justify having higher price tags too. The telco also offers a lot of extra features on its mobile plans including free entertainment trials and some international inclusions.

  If Telstra's SIM only plans don't fit your budget, you can still access its network via an MVNO. You'll get similar coverage for a lower price.

  The majority of Telstra MVNOs run on Telstra's wholesale network which reaches 98.8% of Australians. Boost Mobile is the only provider to have full access to Telstra's coverage which reaches 99.7% of the population.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Jason Loewenthal as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Mariam Gabaji

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