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 13.4GB each month on average - far less than the 40GB most people choose as per our data.
💡 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 look at plans every 6 to 12 months and to review it anytime the provider raises prices. If you don't, you're essentially being taken advantage of by being loyal; aka the loyalty tax. On average, Aussies spend $53 a month on their phone bill, but you could get a plan with 40GB for as little as $30 a month. For more insights like these, read our Loyalty Tax report on mobile, broadband and energy bills.
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 | Without auto-recharge, you must 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.
So far this year, we've had Samsung launch its flagship Galaxy S25 series and three new phones in the Galaxy A series range. Apple has released a brand-new iPhone 16e to replace the legacy iPhone SE.
Alternatively, you can also compare plans for different models from the big 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.
Anything above 40GB is considered 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.
Konec Mobile
MATE
More Telecom
numobile
Pennytel
Superloop
Tangerine
TeleChoice
Telsim
Think Mobile
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 more for faster speeds.
Plans for different life stages
Buy the S24 Ultra on a plan from Optus or Telstra.
You can still get the Samsung Galaxy S23 series on a phone plan.
Find out how to get the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro on a plan.
Each month, we pick the best prepaid plans for 9 different categories to help you find the right mobile plan.
We've done the hard work so you don't have to go searching far and wide for the best SIM-only plan.
Our experts have crunched the numbers to help you find the best mobile phone plan in Australia.
Known for its regular shopping deals, Catch also sells a range of well-priced prepaid plans.
From budget-conscious to international students, these mobile plans offer something for every type of student.
Check out which mobile phone providers Finder users are loving this month and the top plans they're choosing!
Save your unused data for later with data banking and rollover. Find mobile plans that let you keep what you don’t use!
Why haven’t you included Amazon and Officeworks in your comparison lists? Thx
Hi Nuran, this specific comparison list is for mobile plans provided by telcos in Australia. Amazon and Officeworks don’t fit the category in this instance. Hope this helps!
Which is the best plan for international roaming?
Hi Gexi, this guide should help you out with your query: https://www.finder.com.au/mobile-plans/global-roaming
What is the cheapest sim only plan available?
Hi Pnet,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
You can start comparing cheap mobile plans using our comparison table and search filters. When you are ready, press the ‘Go to site’ button to apply or to speak to a representative to help you find a cheap sim-only plan that would suit your needs. Please ensure you review the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
My wife and I are planning a holiday to southern Africa – South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania with a little stop in Mauritius. We are in most countries for about 5 days. To keep in contact with home, do we need to purchase a pre-paid SIM card in each individual country? Or is there some way to spend more time touring and less time sourcing local SIM cards?
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for getting in touch!
You can buy two sim cards, a prepaid SIM card for South Africa (Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe) and a sim card for East Africa (Tanzania and Mauritius).
It would also be helpful to check your current courier and see if you can use your sim card in these countries or if they have partner telco’s in Africa for your convenience. Don’t forget to ask about roaming fees and charges for every minute of calls and number of texts for the duration of your trip.
Hope this helps and have a great trip!
Best,
Nikki
What is the best mobile phone travel SIM offering data and phone calls, for travel in Europe?
Hi Janet,
Thank you for reaching out.
The best mobile SIM will depend on your preference as to how you’d be using it, how long will you need it, the country you are visiting, etc. You can check our article on prepaid SIM card for European Union. There list two international SIM providers that you can compare. Both can work in multiple countries. You can hit ‘Go to site’ or ‘View details’ on the page to know more about the services so you can decide on who to go with.
The page also has some tips as well as some reviews to help you on making a decision.
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Mai