Best Cheap
Under $250
Under $350
Telstra Network
We compared 50 long-expiry prepaid plans from 16 mobile providers across Australia and picked 5 top plans based on price, data and expert analysis. We've also included a 6-month option if you're not ready to commit to a full year. Not every plan will suit everyone, so weigh up your options before choosing one.
Our top picks were reviewed by senior utilities editor Mariam Gabaji.
Long-expiry prepaid plans last between 90 and 365 days.
They’re well-suited for people who don’t mind paying upfront, know which network coverage works best for them and are fairly certain of how much data they need.
Here’s a quick pros and cons list if you’re still unsure:
Apart from the cost of the plan itself and your willingness to pay it upfront, you should consider some other key points before committing to a long-term plan:
Figure out which network offers the best reception in your area before committing long-term. Telstra offers the widest coverage, and you're less likely to deal with reception issues than if you were to go with Optus or Vodafone. Plans on the Telstra network tend to cost a little more.
Think about how long you're willing to commit to, whether that's for 90, 180 or 365 days. The longer you commit to it, the fewer times in the year you'll need to worry about recharging. Just keep in mind that if you choose to leave before your expiry period ends, you'll lose the money you paid upfront.
Choose a data limit that matches your needs. Look at past bills or your account to see how much data you're currently using each month. When in doubt, add some extra gigs on to how much data you think you'll use. You don't want to get stuck with not enough data after committing to a plan long term. Also keep in mind that some plans allocate monthly data limits. Read the fine print before signing up.
"I used to be lazy and just top up my phone each month. I then realised that the monthly cost for a 365 day plan worked out to be far cheaper and I wouldn't exceed the data limit. The savings was $16 per month less than what I was paying, which meant I was able to reduce my phone bill by $192 a year."
Around 16 mobile providers in our database offer long-expiry prepaid plans.
Some popular ones include Everyday Mobile (Woolies), Coles Mobile, OnePass Mobile (formerly Catch Connect), amaysim, ALDI Mobile, Kogan Mobile, Boost Mobile, Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.
Here’s a full list of mobile providers with long-expiry plans:
Want options beyond our curated selection of top picks? You'll find mobile plans with expiry periods between 90 and 365 days in the comparison table below.
We've scored over 290+ mobile plans on everything from cost to data allowance and important features.
Our experts give each plan a score out of 10 - totally fair, with no commercial strings attached.
Genuine phone addicts. Unlimited scrolling and streaming, we got you. We track all offers daily so you can stay online all the time.
Cause we all hate caps. Our goal is to bring you all the good stuff, and surface any hidden fees. So you can get back to the fun stuff, like gaming.
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.
Pay as you go mobile plans are a great way to save money if you don't use your phone very often.
I just want a phone connection sim card for an elderly friend that will ring an emergency contact should my friend have a fall. What is best for this please? A fee for a longer period such as about a year would be good.
The key question in this case is which network has the best reception – if you can check with your own phone, that helps narrow down the choice. Beyond that, just aim for a 365-day SIM with minimal data, since you don’t need to use that.
I recently found you need to pay to send MMS (pictures) via message function of the LycaMobile network, be careful to choose this one as I am complaining with TIO, dragging long.
Hi, the family is on an Optus legacy family plan with discounts. My daughter is going to Canada for two years but doesn’t want to lose her number. Is her best option to port her number over to a pay-as-you go plan with Aldi/Amaysin ($2/$15) until she returns? Or is there a beeter option? Thanks
Hi Peter,
Yes, you’re on the right track! The simplest and cheapest way for your daughter to keep her Australian number while she’s in Canada for two years is to port it from your Optus family plan to a low-cost prepaid or PAYG service like ALDI Mobile or amaysim. These plans let her “park” the number and only need a small recharge every 6–12 months to stay active, which is far cheaper than keeping it on a full postpaid plan. The only thing to check is whether she needs overseas SMS, as most prepaid services allow receiving SMS overseas, but it’s worth confirming. Hope this helps!
Coles mobile has cheap yearly plans and you don’t list them.
Hi Joe, our top picks change month to month. This month we had other providers that were offering more value for money based on our selection criteria. Hope this helps give some context.
Hi. I used generally 80 GB per 365 days. My current plan of 240 GB expires in 2 weeks and I have 174 GB left! I cannot find a plan with low data. 80 to 100gb will suit me. What do you recommend? Michel
Hi Michel,
Depending on your budget, there are a range of plans that might suit your needs. The Kogan Small 365 Days Flex plan is 140GB for $179.95, but until November 13, they are offering a special rate of $159 on the Kogan Medium 365 Days Flex plan, which comes with 200GB. You can view these offers and more on this page. Best of luck!