Mobile Phone Plans
All you have to do is decide if you want a phone with your plan, or if you’re happy to keep it SIM-only — we'll help you with the rest.
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- New customers get $10 off for 6 months. T&Cs apply
- Plan will revert to $38/month after 6 months
- Unlimited standard national calls & texts
Compare mobile phone plans
Searching for a new plan with our Mobile Plan Finder™ will take you just a few seconds. Use the filters in the table below to help narrow down your search.
We compare plans from 40+ mobile providers including
Need help choosing a plan? Here's some of our best monthly picks
How do I find the right mobile plan?
If you're on a desktop, these filters are on the left-hand side of the table. If you're on a mobile device, you can click the "Filter results" button that's just above the table.
Click on the following headings to find out how each of the filters work.
Choose your price
Adjust the sliders to show the minimum and maximum amount of money you're willing to pay for a mobile phone plan each month.
We recommend looking at around the $30 mark, as you'll usually get a better deal on data at this price.
Low data users will still save with cheaper plans, though, so don't feel pressured to spend more than you need to.
How much data are you after?
Move the slider up to the minimum amount of monthly data you need. You can also change the table to sort it by "Data (low-high)" to see the plans with your chosen minimum data limit first.
Are you looking for a specific plan type?
You can choose what type of plan you're after - prepaid, postpaid or a contract plan (usually this only applies to plans that come with a phone, but there are a couple of contract SIM-only plans out there too).
If you're not too sure what the difference between these plans are, check out the 'What types of mobile plans are there?' section in our guide below where we explain which type of plan might be better suited for you.
If you're only looking for plans that don't come with a phone, make sure you click "remove all" under the "Phones" heading so you'll only see plans that come as a SIM card.
Filtering by provider or network
If you have a provider in mind, you can filter for it on its own, but we recommend leaving them all showing to find the most competitive deals.
Filtering by network could be important to you if you live in an area that's only serviced by a specific phone network such as Telstra. Choosing a network rather than a specific provider will open up your options as you'll be able to see plans from a bunch of different phone companies and therefore have more deals to choose from.
Consider the plan length
This filter isn't absolutely necessary but is definitely useful if you're after a plan with a longer expiry, or if you're looking for a contract phone plan.
Drag the sliders to the minimum and maximum expiry period that you're after. Monthly plans (28-30 days) will suit most users, but long expiry plans (90-365 days) can provide good value to customers who don't mind staying with the same provider for at least a year, or who don't use much data. If you use up your data allowance before the end of the expiry period, you'll have to recharge sooner than the expiry date.
For those looking for a contract plan with a new phone, you can narrow down your search by selecting a 12, 24 or 36-month repayment period.
By setting the filters to what you're looking for from a mobile phone plan, you'll have a smaller selection of mobile plans to choose from but have a higher chance of actually finding one that's good value and works for you.
Why compare mobile plans with Finder?
We're a 100% free service
It doesn't cost you anything to compare mobile phone plans with Finder. Clicking on the "Go to site" button and buying a plan from the company's website will cost exactly the same as buying it directly without us. See how we make money here.
Find the latest deals in one place
We put in hundreds of hours each week looking through the vast majority of mobile phone plans available in Australia so that you don't have to. We've done the hard work to find the latest deals so that you can compare them right here in one place.
We're here to help
Aside from our Mobile Plan Finder™ that helps you compare plans, we write in-depth guides on everything from plan features to 5G. If you ever have a question, our experts are just a live chat away.
What types of mobile plans are there?
SIM-only plans
These are what most people think of as 'regular' mobile plan. SIM-only plans can either be prepaid plans or postpaid plans. The main difference between the two is when you choose to pay your mobile bill - at the start or end of the month.
On most SIM-only plans, you won't be tied to a contract.
Phone plans
With a phone plan, you can get a handset and a SIM-only plan to go with it. Usually, these will be on a contract that lasts for 12, 24, or 36 months. Your monthly bill will be the price of the plan itself, plus the monthly repayments for the handset.
Phone plans are a great way to get a new phone and a mobile plan at the same time.
What extra features can I get on a plan?
It's important to realise that a feature only adds value if you take advantage of it, so don't choose a plan with things that you'll never use. Here are some of the additional features that you might get on a mobile plan:
Circles.Life 100GB for $28 SIM-Only Plan
Pay $28 for 100GB of data per month. Plan reverts to $38 for 100GB per month after 6 months. T&Cs apply.What if I want a new mobile phone?
Buy it on a contract
We've touched on this earlier, but you can sign onto a 12, 24 or 36-month contract with a provider and pay off the handset in monthly instalments. This has the benefit of getting both your phone and your plan from the same place and it allows you to pay off your handset over time, rather than all at once. No matter which phone company you sign on with, the cost for the handset itself will be the same as it is outright – it's only cost of the mobile plan that's different.
Buy it outright
With this option, you can buy a new or refurbished handset from anywhere you like and then buy a separate plan with a SIM to go with it. This will usually save you money in the long run, since standalone SIM plans are more competitive than plans offered on a contract.
If you're after a new phone, or if you want to save with a second-hand refurbished model, check out our guides below with the latest deals available:
Is it cheaper to buy a phone outright?
Buying a phone outright and getting a plan to go with it will almost always be cheaper than signing onto a phone contract. This is because contracts tend to only offer big-data plans that cost more than no-contract plans.
But how much can you actually save? Take a look at the graph below:
We've looked at two contract plans for reference: Optus's $39 for 10GB plan, which is one of the cheapest contract plans in our database, and Telstra's $65 for 80GB plan. As you can see in dark blue, the iPhone 11 handset will cost you the same amount no matter which method you use to buy it ($1,199 RRP).
What's going on in the graph?
- With Vaya's 36GB for $38 SIM-only plan, buying the phone outright won't save you much money compared to going on a 24-month contract with Optus, but it does get you significantly better value.
- You'll enjoy 24 months of 38GB instead of 10GB with Optus for around the same monthly price.
- Compared to Telstra's contract, you'll save around 25% of the total cost over two years. You'll only get half the data with Vaya, but 38GB could still be enough for you if you're not a heavy mobile data user.
- Belong's $25 for 10GB plan will save you about 15% off the total cost over 24 months compared to Optus's contract.
- The savings increase to a huge 35% when you compare it to Telstra's contract.
- Of course, you get less data on Belong's plan, but if you're not a huge data guzzler anyway, you won't need the 100GB that comes with Optus and Telstra's plans.
- Mobile users who aren't looking for big data plans reap the real savings by choosing to buy outright since they have the option of choosing a plan better suited towards their needs.
Buying a phone outright gives you more flexibility and freedom to choose your mobile plan from any provider you want, without being tied to a multi-month contract. If you buy a new phone on a contract plan from one mobile company, your plan options become limited since you have to choose one of its plans to go with your new phone.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to whether you can afford to pay for a phone outright or not. There are definitely long-term savings to be had on an outright purchase. However, if paying for a new phone for hundreds of dollars upfront makes you nervous, buying a phone on a contract could make it a lot more manageable for you.
Three questions to consider
Since most Australian mobile plans offer unlimited calls and texts, phone companies differentiate themselves with add-ons and competitive pricing. Here are three questions to consider when you're comparing mobile phone plans:
How much are you willing to spend each month?
What do you plan to use your mobile data for?
Do you need a phone with your plan?
How much data do I need on my plan?
Understanding your normal data usage will save you from excess data charges or having to recharge before your expiry period runs out. We've put together a table of how much data common apps and activities use to give you an idea of how much you might need.
These figures below are averages, and actual data consumption can vary depending on how you use these apps.
| Activity | GB/1 hour |
|---|---|
| Social media apps | 0.36 |
| Spotify/music streaming | 0.15 |
| Standard video streaming | 0.50 |
| HD video streaming | 3.00 |
| WhatsApp/Messenger | 0.05 |
| Video calling | 0.27 |
Did you know?
Around 15% of Australians regularly exceed their data limits, according to a 2018 Finder Excess Data Charges report. On top of that, Australians spent $181 million collectively on excess data charges in 2017.
Generally, you'll want to leave a GB or two extra on top of your estimated monthly mobile data usage just to be safe, so you don't end up like a large number of Australians who face excess charges. It's a good idea to check your mobile data usage on your previous bills to see how much you burn through each month, then base your plan comparisons around that.
How do I switch mobile providers?
Switching your phone company is super easy, as long as you're not locked into a contract.
Find the plan that you want
Find the plan that you wantYou can compare mobile phone plans using our Mobile Plan Finder™ above.
Do NOT cancel your old plan
Do NOT cancel your old planWant to keep your current number? Make sure you don't cancel your existing mobile plan when you sign up to a new one. Cancelling your old plan before your new one is activated will result in losing your current number.
Buy the new plan and activate it
Buy the new plan and activate itYou can buy it online or in-store. During activation or purchase, let the new company know that you want to transfer your old number over. They'll handle the transfer for you. Then wait a few hours to a couple of days for activation to be complete.
Safely cancel your old plan
Safely cancel your old planIf you've transferred your old number over, your old plan will be cancelled automatically. Otherwise, contact your previous provider to make sure you don't keep paying for your old plan.
Do I need to change my mobile number? 🤔
No. You can always transfer your current mobile number over to a new service. The most important thing is not cancelling your old mobile plan until your number has been ported, or else you could lose it permanently. Follow the steps above to avoid this.
What are the different mobile networks?
Australia has three different mobile networks: Telstra, Vodafone and Optus. This means that all mobile phone plans run on either of these three networks, even if your provider isn't actually one of the three companies. Each network varies slightly in coverage:
Telstra has the largest network, covering 99.4% of the Australian population. Telstra's wide coverage means its plans are great for those who live in rural and regional areas, where service may be difficult to come by. It has the most extensive 5G network in the country, which is still expanding as its roll out continues.
Optus comes in second, reaching around 98.5% of the population. You'll feel the difference in coverage mostly in rural and regional areas, where it loses out to Telstra's network. Its 5G network is also being rolled out around Australia.
Vodafone is the smallest of the trio, but that doesn't mean it necessarily lacks in performance, with service available for 23 million Australians. Vodafone's 5G network is the least established of the three. It's currently available only in Parramatta, NSW.
Although there are only three networks, there are dozens of mobile phone providers that sell their plans using one of these networks.
If you live and spend most of your time in metro areas, any of the three networks should work well for you. Those who live in rural and regional areas may prefer to sign up with Telstra's network since it's the most extensive.
Switch to a smaller provider & save
Companies who sell their plans on the Telstra, Optus or Vodafone networks are called MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These smaller providers offer mobile plans on one of the three networks, without owning any part of the actual network. Instead, MVNOs essentially rent their data and coverage from one network and resell it to customers on their own plans.
Think about in terms of renting a property. As a renter, you usually just have to pay for your utility bills. If there's something wrong with the apartment or house you're living in, it's up to your landlord (or whoever owns the property) to pay for fixing it.
That's basically how it works with MVNOs.
Mobile plans from MVNOs are almost always cheaper than those from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone because they don't have to pay for maintaining the actual network. Since the networks are owned by Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, they're the ones who have to pay for network maintenance and expansion, and then bring forward these costs to their customers with higher plan prices.
If you're looking to switch to a cheaper mobile phone plan, consider choosing one from an MVNO. You'll likely find more competitive plan prices and deals from these smaller providers.
Back to topCan I use my SIM card overseas? 🌏
Plenty of mobile phone plans will let you activate international roaming, or the ability to make calls and use data when you're overseas. This comes in a couple of different forms:
- Add-ons that give a set amount of usage for a set price.
- "Pay as you go" roaming, where you pay for calls per minute or for each block of data used.
Roaming add-ons can be a convenient option when you only need a little bit to carry you through, though their value depends on the phone company. Vodafone's $5 roaming pack is currently the most competitive deal on the market for this kind of roaming add-on.
Pay as you go roaming is usually very expensive and almost never worth it. You're far better off buying a local or travel SIM to avoid roaming costs that can easily spiral off into hundreds of wasted dollars.
Business mobile plans
Having a business mobile plan that is dedicated for you work can be useful, whether you're buying it in bulk for employees or you simply want to keep your work and private phones separate. These kinds of plans may offer data pooling between employees on the same account or extra features like specialised business customer support.
Business mobile plans are available from a number of mobile providers, but the main ones are from Telstra, Vodafone and Optus.
FAQs about mobile phone plans
📱 What's the difference between a prepaid and a postpaid plan?
On a prepaid mobile plan, you pay for all your usage up front and your service is cut off when you hit your usage limit.
On a postpaid plan, you're given usage limits, but you can continue using the service even after you've reached those limits. Usually, you will be charged for your excess usage when you're billed at the end of the month.
💰 What is the cheapest mobile phone plan in Australia?
Technically, the cheapest mobile plans on the market are often pay as you go (PAYG) phone plans from as little as $1, but these aren't useful for regular mobile users. In our Mobile Plan Finder™, TPG's $1 PAYG plan comes up as the cheapest plan. It has no included calls or text and only 5MB of data, with a $30 upfront cost.
The cheapest functional plan available in our database would be Dodo's, which offers unlimited talk and text for $5 per month, but no data.
We've put together a guide on cheap mobile plans under $20, so you can find a regular plan that works for you and doesn't cost too much.
Check out the latest in mobile news
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Here are all the places you can buy the iPhone 13 in Australia.
Read more…
iPhone 13: Should you buy it outright or on a mobile plan?
While buying it outright might be cheaper in the long run, here's why it may not be the best decision for you.
Read more…Images: Getty. Icons made by Smashicons, Eucalyp, Vectors Market, Icongeek26, Prosymbols, Freepik and Flat Icons from www.flaticon.com
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- Where to buy the Apple iPhone 13 in Australia
Here are all the places you can buy the iPhone 13 in Australia.
- iPhone 13 plans in Australia
Find the best-value deal with your preferred network.
- Optus Samsung plans
Grab a new Samsung phone on an Optus plan and choose between 12-, 24- and 36-month repayment periods.
- Optus iPhone plans
Owning a new iPhone just got more affordable. Pair an iPhone with any Optus mobile plan, with no lock-in contract.
- Vodafone Samsung plans
Getting a new phone doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Grab a new Samsung phone on a Vodafone plan and pay it off in monthly installments.
- Telstra Samsung plans
Get a new Samsung phone on Australia’s largest mobile network when you sign up with Telstra. Compare Telstra Samsung plans here.
- Buying a phone outright vs on a plan
Buying a phone on a plan from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone can make owning a new phone easier for you, but is there a better solution for the long run?
- Telstra data sharing
You can now share you data between 10 Telstra plans. Find out how it works and which Telstra plans offer this feature.
- Start these 10 money habits and you could (potentially) save enough to cover your rent
SPONSORED: Even little adjustments can lead to big savings. Here are just a few things you can do to put more money back in your pocket.
- Pay as you go mobile plans
Pay as you go mobile plans are a great way to save money if you don't use your phone very often.
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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
It should be possible to ignore “introductory offers” in the search and sort. It’s not very useful to be bombarded with $50 plans when I’m looking for $10 plans.
Hi Brian,
Thanks for getting in touch! We appreciate your time in dropping us a message about this and rest assured our team will look into this to provide a better user experience for customers. Let us know if there is anything else we can help you with in the meantime, we’re here!
Best,
Nikki
I would like to purchase a sim card with no monthly contract.
I want to pay for sms as I go.
Is this possible.
Cheers
Wayne
Hi Wayne,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
You may refer to our list of SIM-only plans in Australia. Kindly review and compare your options on the table displaying the available providers. Once you have chosen a particular provider, 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 the application or get in touch with their representatives for further inquiries you may have.
Before applying, please ensure that 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. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie