Best Australian SIM cards for tourists

Alex Angove-Plumb - Digital Content Editor

Last updated 21 September 2026

Contents

In this Australian SIM card guide:

Cheap SIM cards for tourists
SIM cards with international calls
eSIM plans for tourists
Which mobile network should you choose?
Where can I buy a prepaid SIM card in Australia?
SIM cards for popular travel destinations in Australia
FAQs about SIM cards in Australia

Instead of a travel SIM for your tourist adventures Down Under, you might consider getting an Australian SIM card. Most SIM cards in Australia have no contract and some are pretty cheap. So, depending on your travel SIM options, you might save a bunch by going local.

Luckily, it's pretty easy to grab a SIM. There are loads of cheap prepaid SIM cards that won’t tie you to a contract and we can run you through some of the most popular ones in our database of 28 Aussie mobile providers.

Intro discounts are great for tourists

Many providers in Australia offer discounts for new customers, usually for the first six months or recharges. Given all the plans on this page are contract-free, tourists can enjoy these discounted SIM cards and cancel before the deal ends, never worrying about an eventual price jump. And if you're planning a longer stay, you can just swap to another provider when the time comes to pick up a different intro deal. Some providers offer bigger discounts than others, which is why you might see the same brands regularly sitting at the top of our comparison tables.

Cheap Australian SIM cards for tourists

If you're on a backpacker's budget, you can pick up a SIM on a cheap mobile plan for less than $15 per month. There are occasionally SIM cards aimed specifically at tourists, but the simplest and often cheapest SIM cards for tourists in Australia can be grabbed by signing up to a regular prepaid mobile plan.

Our comparisons below show the cheapest SIM cards in our database for various data needs, priced in Australian dollars. These plans come with a "monthly" expiry, which can be 28 days, 30 days, or expire on the same date of each month, depending on the plan.

Even the cheapest prepaid SIM cards in Australia come with unlimited national talk & text to standard phone numbers. So, if you go over your data limit, you still have access to your calls and messages until your recharge period ends.

Pivotel	Pivotel 25GB Mobile Swift Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Incl. 50% off - $11.45/mth for first 6 months, then $22.90/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply. $11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45 Go to Site	$11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45	Go to Site
SpinTel Editor's Pick	SpinTel Editor's Pick $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 22GB 22GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $12.50 - Get 22GB for only $12.50 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $25/22GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 23 SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
Swoop	Swoop 30GB SIM Only 5G 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $11 off for first 6 months - $14/mth for first 6 months then $25/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

It's handy to have a healthy bank of mobile data to fall back on, even if you have access to free Wi-Fi. These SIM cards have at least 15GB of data per recharge, which is enough for using GPS, browsing, uploading the occasional pic, and even watching the occasional HD video.

Pivotel	Pivotel 25GB Mobile Swift Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Incl. 50% off - $11.45/mth for first 6 months, then $22.90/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply. $11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45 Go to Site	$11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45	Go to Site
SpinTel Editor's Pick	SpinTel Editor's Pick $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 22GB 22GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $12.50 - Get 22GB for only $12.50 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $25/22GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 23 SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
Swoop	Swoop 30GB SIM Only 5G 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $11 off for first 6 months - $14/mth for first 6 months then $25/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

Unless you have heavy duty needs, 30GB should be more than enough for most people. With this much data, you can almost forget you even have a limit – within reason. Just don't binge too many 4K videos, download multiple large files, or use your mobile as a regular hotspot for data-hungry devices.

Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 23 SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
Swoop	Swoop 30GB SIM Only 5G 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $11 off for first 6 months - $14/mth for first 6 months then $25/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 32GB 32GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $15 - Get 32GB for only $15 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $30/32GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
iiNet	iiNet 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied

Why prepaid for tourists?

When travelling, you probably don't want to worry about cancelling recurring payments or accidental overage fees. Prepaid SIM cards avoid both.

Many prepaid providers let you choose between manual and automatic recharges. If you opt for manual (advisable for tourists), your prepaid SIM card won't automatically renew once your current recharge expires. This means you don't need to worry about paying for extra recharges if you forget to cancel your plan after you leave the country.

As for overage fees, mobile plans in Australia don't have unlimited data. For "SIM-only" plans, you usually get charged extra per gigabyte if you go over your data limit. But prepaid plans simply cut off your internet access, allowing you to choose when to pay for more data.

If you do go over your data limit, you won't lose access to phone calls and texts. All prepaid plans in Australia come with unlimited national calls and texts to standard numbers. So you'll still be able to make calls and send messages for the remainder of your paid-for expiry period.

SIM card similarities

You might notice TPG and iiNet crop up often when ranking SIM cards by their introductory price. You might also notice they usually have identical plan pricing and basic inclusions. These two providers are owned by the same company and discount their plans heavily during an introductory period – usually the first six months. This means they often have some of the cheapest initial pricing (great for tourists), but they're not the only options out there. Stay open to SIM cards from other brands.

How much data should you get?

According to the latest statistics from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (a national authority that ensures companies follow consumer law), prepaid SIM cards in Australia see an average use of less than 15GB per month, while people with postpaid plans use a little under 19GB.

But what a tourist needs from their SIM card might not match the national average, especially if you don't have consistent access to WiFi. If you're unsure, you can get a quick idea for common apps below or check our full guide to deciding how much mobile data you need.

What data usage looks for different activities

Monthly Data	Streaming Netflix for	Streaming Music for	Watching TikTok for
15GB	60 hours	117 hours	15 hours
30GB	120 hours	230 hours	30 hours
50GB	200 hours	390 hours	50 hours

Prepaid SIM cards with international calls

Some prepaid SIM cards in Australia include limited international calls and/or texts to select countries. The countries vary between mobile providers and are generally chosen based on demand.

If your country isn't on the list, it's not included in the deal, and you'll still have to pay expensive fees for overseas calls. But if you shop around, you might get lucky and find a different plan that lets you phone home. A few SIM cards include unlimited international calls within their expiry period, but the list of countries can be small.

To find an Australian SIM card to suit your international needs, you can check out of the most popular options in our database that include international calls:

These are the cheapest prepaid SIM cards in our database that come with any amount of international calls:

#1	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	iiNet	iiNet 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	iiNet	iiNet 50GB Medium Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 50GB Medium Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	Lyca Mobile	Lyca Mobile Unlimited Plan M 120GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $20 for first 6 renewals + includes 40GB bonus data on activation and first 11 renewals. Offer ends 31.12.26 $20.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$20.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

These plans all have some sort of international call inclusions, plus at least 15GB of data for use within Australia:

Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
iiNet	iiNet 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
iiNet	iiNet 50GB Medium Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 50GB Medium Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
Lyca Mobile	Lyca Mobile Unlimited Plan M 120GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $20 for first 6 renewals + includes 40GB bonus data on activation and first 11 renewals. Offer ends 31.12.26 $20.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$20.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

These plans all have some sort of international call inclusions, plus at least 30GB of data for use within Australia:

Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
iiNet	iiNet 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
iiNet	iiNet 50GB Medium Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 50GB Medium Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
Lyca Mobile	Lyca Mobile Unlimited Plan M 120GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $20 for first 6 renewals + includes 40GB bonus data on activation and first 11 renewals. Offer ends 31.12.26 $20.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$20.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

What about the Optus Traveller SIM?

Optus, one of Australia's largest telcos, has three prepaid "Traveller SIMs" aimed specifically at tourists in Australia. To quickly sum them up: they're only really worth considering if you're in the country for a short stay and only need international calls to New Zealand, Singapore, mainland China, India, or the UK.

If you're planning on a longer stay, you should note Optus' longer-term Traveller plans drop their data over time. The 14-day plan drops from 45GB to 25GB after three recharges. The 28-day plan drops from 70GB to 30GB, also after three recharges.

The one plan that doesn't decrease over time only lasts five days. It's expensive for so short a period, but there aren't many short-expiry SIM cards on the market. So your best alternative would likely be a monthly plan from a cheaper provider, which at most might save you a handful of dollars.

Optus Traveller SIM basics

Price	Data (first 3 recharges)	Data (from 4th recharge)	International calls
$20 (5 days)	15GB	15GB	Unlimited international calls to NZ, Singapore, mainland China, India, and the UK
$35 (14 days)	45GB	25GB	Unlimited international calls to 37 "Zone 1" countries
$45 (28 days)	70GB	30GB	Unlimited international calls to 37 "Zone 1" countries

eSIM plans for tourists

You can get eSIM plans in Australia, but not every provider supports them yet. If you've got an eSIM-capable phone, such as a Samsung Galaxy S20 onwards or the Apple iPhone XS and XR onwards, then eSIM is very easy to set up.

Some mobile providers can have your Australian eSIM up and running in less than an hour if you set it up through their app, so you can minimise your time spent searching for an Australian SIM card and maximise your time travelling.

Once again, we recommend prepaid plans for tourists visiting Australia. Here's a look at Australian prepaid mobile plans with eSIM support, ranked by their introductory prices:

These are the cheapest prepaid plans in our database from mobile providers that support eSIM.

Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
iiNet	iiNet 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small Monthly Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network $23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
Yomojo	Yomojo Starter 29GB Plan 29GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $25 SIM Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

These plans all have eSIM support, plus at least 15GB of data for use within Australia.

Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
iiNet	iiNet 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small Monthly Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network $23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
Yomojo	Yomojo Starter 29GB Plan 29GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $25 SIM Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

These plans all have eSIM support, plus at least 30GB of data for use within Australia.

Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
iiNet	iiNet 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Medium Monthly Plan 60GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 60GB for $12 (includes $13 off for first month + 20GB bonus data for 3 months), then 40GB for $25 thereafter, valid until 11.10.26 $29.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$29.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
Yomojo	Yomojo Essential 42GB Plan 42GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $29.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$29.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $30 SIM Plan 70GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 35GB bonus data for first 3 recharges when you activate by 03.11.26 $30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

Which mobile network should you choose?

There are three national mobile networks in Australia, each run by one of the three biggest mobile plan providers: Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. These companies lease space on their networks to smaller ones, which often have cheaper SIM cards. It's these smaller providers that can be great for tourists, thanks in part to smaller plans and intro discounts. They're often called "Mobile Virtual Network Operators" (MVNOs) or "resellers".

Use the map below to find out which networks offer mobile coverage where you're travelling.

Click to Activate Interactive Map

Coverage information is collected from carriers and other third party sources. This is approximate coverage only and does not include indoor coverage. Actual speed and performance depends on your location and device. Local conditions and things like natural and artificial physical features of an area all affect your reception. Coverage © Mosaik

All three networks offer 4G and 5G, and most visitors will be able to access them using a phone they already own. Coverage is relatively equal in population centres.

The Telstra network has the widest coverage, especially if you're travelling to regional and remote areas (though it's worth noting Telstra resellers don't get full network access). But in most well-populated locations, all three networks are usually pretty similar.

Here's a quick overview of mobile network coverage in Australia:

Australian Mobile Network Coverage

Network	4G coverage	5G coverage	Network Size
Telstra network*	N/A	N/A	2.14 mil square km
Telstra Wholesale network	N/A	N/A	1.4 mil square km
Optus network	99.1%	94.5%	1.2 million square km
Vodafone network	99%	94.5%	1.2 million square km

_{Numbers shown are a percentage of the Australian population.}
_{*Telstra no longer provides population-based coverage figures. Boost Mobile is the only Telstra MVNO with access to the full Telstra network.}

Telstra network SIM cards

The Telstra network has the largest coverage footprint of the three networks in Australia, but it's usually only an important factor if you’re super keen on 5G or planning on travelling to rural or remote areas.

Unfortunately, Telstra recently stopped publishing statistics about population coverage, so we can't compare it to the other two networks. But it's fairly safe to say that, in most population centres, you mightn't even notice a difference.

Unfortunately, while Telstra's full network is vast, Telstra MVNOs don’t get full network access; they’re restricted to the Telstra “Wholesale” network. This network is closer to the Optus and Vodafone networks in terms of 4G coverage. For 5G, it's unfortunately tough to compare because information is limited.

You'll also often pay more to be on Telstra's network, whether it's through Telstra directly or an MVNO. Some MVNO plans can be cheap, but have limited data compared to other options.

Here are the most popular prepaid SIM plans in our database from Telstra network providers:

#1	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $39 Prepaid 60GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 60GB data on first 6 recharges, then 30GB from 7th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 02.11.26 $39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#2	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Saver 4G Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#3	Exetel	Exetel Plus One eSIM Plan 130GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#4	ALDI mobile	ALDI mobile $28 Mobile Plan 12GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile Pre-paid Mobile $25 Recharge 22GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	EZEE Mobile	EZEE Mobile 100GB Mobile SIM Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 5G Mobile Network in selected areas $45.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$45.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#7	Telstra	Telstra $54 Pre-Paid Mobile 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 40GB activation bonus for first 3 recharges, 35GB from your fourth. Ends 01.01.2027 $54.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$54.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

Optus network SIM cards

The Optus network is the second largest in the country and is generally a happy medium between coverage and price. It covers 99.1% of the Australian population with 4G and 94.5% with 5G. Optus MVNOs get full access to its network, but as with the other two options, most MVNOs limit you to 4G on some plans, and place speed limits on 5G.

Optus and Vodafone have a network sharing agreement, which means they have almost identical 4G coverage. But this doesn't mean you need to worry about paying extra fees when switching from one to the other – it all happens for free and without you noticing.

Here are our database's most popular prepaid SIM cards from Optus network providers:

#1	Yomojo	Yomojo Starter 29GB Plan 29GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 22GB 22GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $12.50 - Get 22GB for only $12.50 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $25/22GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 120GB Plan 120GB data at download speeds up to 200Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $32 for first renewal when you sign up by 19.10.26. New online services only. T&Cs apply $50.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$50.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Coles Mobile	Coles Mobile Prepaid $30 for 28 Days 35GB data On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network Deal: Get the $30 SIM for only $10! Offer ends 27.10.26 $30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	Optus	Optus Optus Prepaid $54 SIM 130GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: Enjoy bonus data on activation and your next 2 recharges when you switch to Optus. Activate by 07/04/27. T&Cs apply $54.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$54.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site

Vodafone network SIM cards

The Vodafone network covers 99% of the Australian population with 4G and 94.5% for 5G. (Thanks to a network sharing agreement, has basically identical coverage to Optus in many areas.) Vodafone's MVNOs have some great-value SIM cards for tourists who plan to stay in the more populated areas of the country.

Here are our database's most popular prepaid SIM cards in Australia from Vodafone network providers:

#1	TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	felix mobile	felix mobile felix 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply $30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#3	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small Monthly Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network $23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#4	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	iiNet	iiNet 100GB Large Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $22.50/mth for first 6 months, then $45/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $25 SIM Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#7	Vodafone	Vodafone $40 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack 90GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 60GB bonus data for first 3 recharges + $5 off with every Automatic Recharge $40.00 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry Link not supplied	$40.00 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry	Link not supplied

Where can I buy a prepaid SIM card in Australia?

Grabbing an Australian SIM card once you're here

Prepaid SIM cards in Australia can often be purchased without even leaving the airport, but do your research before signing up to a brand you haven't heard of. There are numerous airport kiosks that sell plans and you can usually find an Australia Post outlet (our national postal service), which should have a small range of options.

After you've left the airport, some common places to buy an Australian SIM card are:

Australia Post
7-Eleven
Some petrol stations ("gas stations" for our American friends)
Coles supermarkets
Woolworths supermarkets
ALDI supermarkets (only ALDI Mobile SIM cards)
Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone stores (no MVNO plans here)

Sadly, many or most MVNOs only offer their SIM cards online, so you'll need to order one delivered or sign up to an eSIM plan.

Grabbing a SIM card before you leave home

If you want to be super organised, and as long as you have an address to receive it (like a friend or family member you’re staying with), you can order your Australian SIM card to be delivered before you get on the plane. But eSIM is probably an easier option (if your phone supports it), though not all providers support eSIM.

All providers in Australia will take major credit cards and some even take PayPal.

FAQs about SIM cards in Australia

Will my phone work in Australia?

There are many factors that can affect if your phone will work Down under, such as if it supports Voice over LTE (VoLTE), if it's network locked, and more. For more info, you can check out our dedicafted guide covering how to check if your phone will work in Australia.

Is there 3G coverage?

There's no 3G coverage in Australia. To make phone calls, your phone needs to support 4G, as well as VoLTE (Voice over LTE).

Is there 4G and 5G coverage?

4G coverage is widespread and fairly equal between the mobile networks, though the full Telstra network has wider coverage in rural and remote areas. 5G is still being rolled out and is mostly restricted to metro areas. Smaller providers sometimes limit their cheapest plans to 4G as a way of keeping prices low, so keep an eye out if this matters to you.

What areas even have coverage?

Australia's population is small compared to the amount of land. As such, there are huge portions of the country and long stretches of road with no mobile coverage at all. These regions are almost always uninhabited or very sparsely populated – and some are outright dangerous to get stuck in unprepared, especially in the interior. If you're planning a cross-country road trip or travelling off beaten track, check a coverage map before you head off. It might be wise to bring a satellite phone with you.

Do I need to worry about domestic roaming charges?

In some countries, you might need to pay domestic roaming fees to piggyback on a different provider's network. This doesn't happen in Australia. All three major networks have roughly equal 4G coverage and there are no systems set up to use any network other than the one you're signed up to. Optus and Vodafone have a network sharing agreement, but that's handled in the background and without extra charges for the customer.

As long as you have a mobile plan with an Aussie telco, you don't need to worry about domestic roaming fees while you're within Australia.

Speed limits

Internet speed limits for your SIM card are pretty standard for any mobile provider that isn't Telstra, Optus or Vodafone – and even these three can limit prepaid SIM cards. But you needn't worry. Any speed limits are fast enough that they generally shouldn't matter.

4G limits are almost always 100Mbps at worst, which is more than fine for just about anything you'd need to do on a phone. 5G speed limits are usually 100Mbps, 150Mbps or 250Mbps, depending on the provider and the mobile plan in question.

Note that a speed limit doesn't indicate what speeds you should expect, only the maximum speed you can receive.

What documents do you need to buy a prepaid SIM card in Australia?

You need a photo ID to activate a prepaid SIM card in Australia (or any SIM card on a plan). This is most easily done with a passport or other photo ID when initially purchasing the SIM card.

Do I need an unlocked phone to use an Australian SIM card?

Yes. If you're coming from overseas, you can only use an Australian SIM card in an unlocked phone. Locked phones are tied to the telco associated with them and can sometimes only be unlocked by that telco.

Most telcos in Australia, with the exception of Telstra, will unlock Australian phones for free, except for under certain conditions. But the process for unlocking phones from other countries might be different and could incur a fee. So, if you want to be sure you can use an Australian SIM card, check your phone is unlocked before you hop on a plane.

Is it possible to switch to a different SIM card while in Australia as a tourist?

Yes. Most Australian SIM cards don't come locked to a contract, so you can switch mobile providers or plans at pretty much any time. Prepaid SIM card plans are pretty much always contract-free, as are "SIM-only" mobile plans.

Really, the only time you should come across an Australian SIM card that locks you into a contract is if you also sign up to a payment plan for a new phone, which is almost exclusively done through Optus, Telstra or Vodafone directly.

You also keep your Aussie mobile number for free when you switch between plans and providers – it's not tied to your SIM card.

Should I get a travel SIM or an Australian SIM card?

This depends on what travel SIMs are available to you. But if you plan on using your phone regularly, you can pick up cheap mobile plans in Australia for less than $20 per month. These allow unlimited calls and texts to standard numbers within Australia and can have generous data allowances.

If you want to be able to call home, there are also some affordable options for SIM cards with international calls. Just be sure your country is on the list of a given plan's included locations before you sign up.

Alex Angove-Plumb

Digital Content Editor

Alex Angove-Plumb is a Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut and an award-winning journalist. He's been in the tech publishing industry since 2010, putting him a few short years away from the title of Grizzled Ancient in his chosen profession. He was an original WhistleOut-er before running NBN Co's corporate blog for two years, then moving on to a lengthy stint at CHOICE. Now he's come home.

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