Mobile Phone Plans

Which mobile network should I choose?

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Australia has three mobile networks. No matter which provider you choose, you will still be connected to the Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone network.

Telstra network coverage

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Optus network coverage

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Vodafone network coverage

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How do I switch mobile plans?

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Switching mobile providers is easier than you might think. Most mobile plans are contract-free, and moving your number to your new service is pain-free and can happen within minutes of you activating your new SIM card.

Can I keep my number if I change mobile providers?

Yes, you can keep your existing phone number when changing your provider. There are even laws that protect your right to switch and keep your digits.

All you have to do is sign up for a new phone plan before cancelling your old one and make sure you specify you want to 'port' or transfer your existing number across.

For more information, check out our guide on keeping your number when you switch providers.

Can I get a mobile plan without a credit check?

Yes, you can. Prepaid phone plans are the simplest way to avoid credit checks because you pay upfront each time you recharge your account. You also won't be charged excess usage fees if you go over your data allowance.  

Compare mobile phones

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We put most new phones through their paces, testing screen quality, camera performance, battery life, and more. If you're tossing up between different brands for your next smartphone, here's a little info on the big names, and their competitors.

FAQ

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What is the cheapest way to get a phone plan?

The cheapest phone plans in Australia are SIM-only plans from smaller providers, and you can pick from prepaid and postpaid options. 

The price of a cheap phone plan usually starts at about $15 per month. They tend to include at least 4GB per month, as well as unlimited talk and text to Australia numbers. 

Cheap mobile phone plans don't typically come with extras and perks, like bonus subscriptions to streaming services or mobile phone discounts. Most cheap plans don't include international calls or texts either, but in some cases you can add this on for a small fee. 

Here are the cheapest phone plans in our database with at least a 28-day expiry: 

Are there any unlimited data phone plans in Australia?

There are unlimited data phone plans in Australia, but these all tend to have a catch. You still get a monthly data allowance, but if you go over it, you can continue using your service with slower speeds. These typically range from 1Mbps to 2Mbps. In the case of Dodo, they're much slower at 256Kbps. These plans are best thought of as plans with no excess charges. 

felix mobile has a plan with true unlimited data, but speeds are capped to 20Mbps. 

Here's a look at some other plans with unlimited data: 

Prepaid vs. postpaid: which type of phone plan is best?

Prepaid vs. postpaid: there was a time when the answer to this question was straightforward. Prepaid plans were only for people who weren't going to use their phone a lot; like kids or someone who only kept a phone handy for emergencies. Most people used a postpaid plan.

Nowadays, the line between prepaid and postpaid plans has blurred to a point where the differences are indistinguishable. The essential difference is in the name; prepaid plans require you to pay before you use the service, via a recharge or top-up, while customers using postpaid plans are sent a bill at the end of the month.

No matter which you pick, there are plenty of great value options available. 

Is a prepaid plan cheaper than a postpaid SIM-only mobile plan?

Generally speaking, you should be able to find postpaid SIM-only plans for as cheap as prepaid plans. The starting cost for both prepaid and postpaid SIM-only mobile plans tends to start around $10 per month. Plan inclusions are always pretty similar in this price range too. If you own your phone are need a BYO phone plan, you should compare SIM-only and prepaid plans at the same time.

Just make sure you note the expiry on your prepaid plan. Many prepaid plans have a 28-day expiry, which means you'd make 13 recharges per year. As such, this can make them more expensive than a postpaid plan at the same price point. 

What is the cheapest Telstra mobile plan?

Telstra is Australia's largest mobile phone provider, and it also has a reputation for being the most expensive. When you pair these two facts together you can understand why everyone is looking for a bargain on the Telstra network.

Currently, the cheapest Telstra mobile plans are prepaid 'Casual' plans, but these have extremely limited call, message and data inclusions. For regular phone use, the cheapest plan would be its $35 prepaid plan with a 28-day expiry. 

Which network does my provider use?

All Australian mobile providers are powered by one of three networks: Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone. 

Understanding this is usually the difference between feeling trapped with an expensive phone plan and exploring the numerous other providers. You can save a bunch of money with a smaller provider, and you'll always have the peace of mind that the coverage is the same.

For example, ALDI usually the Telstra network, but offers plans that are significantly cheaper than Telstra offers. Likewise, Boost, Belong, and Everyday Mobile all use the Telstra network.

Many smaller providers operate on the Optus network, including amaysim, Aussie Broadband, Dodo, and Coles Mobile. 

How much are mobile plans in Australia?

The cheapest phone plans in Australia start at about $10 per month for a SIM-only plan. Plans can get a lot more expensive, however, especially if you're paying off a new handset. For example, you might pay as much as $200 per month if you're after a new iPhone on a plan. 

With over 30 mobile providers to choose from, you can be sure that every price is covered in between, with thousands of different plan combinations to compare. If you're looking to buy a plan with a new smartphone, our Phone Finder tool is a great place to start.

Which Australian mobile provider is best?

When we're asked this question, we know people would love us to give them a one-word answer. But the fact is, different parts of a phone service are more important to some people than others. Some people love a bargain and want to find the cheapest phone plan, other people value service, coverage and customer support and are willing to pay a premium for it.

We noticed that other companies were claiming to know the best mobile providers simply by running a quick poll of a tiny group of people. We knew we could do this better if we put in a bit of elbow grease.

At WhistleOut, we love to answer questions with data, which is why we created the WhistleOut Awards. Every month our data experts compare all of the plans in market against a set of criteria and pick our favourite plans for the month. We collect the data behind the winning plans and each year announce our award winners, the providers who most consistently offer great value plans.

Which are the best phone plans for seniors?

Unfortunately, there aren't many dedicated phone plan offers specifically designed for people who carry a Senior's Card. We've collected a list of the best mobile plans for seniors, and we keep it updated with any new information we come across.

In lieu of dedicated senior plans, we recommend you check out the best prepaid phone plans to find a low-cost option. The price of these plans usually starts at about $10 per month, and we think you'll find something suitable in this list.

Mobile phone plan glossary

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Prepaid

Prepaid refers to a mobile plan where you pay for your usage upfront. You then have a set data allowance, and if you go over, you'll be cut off instead of being charged excess fees.

Postpaid

Postpaid refers to a mobile plan where you're sent a monthly bill and then have a set period of time to pay it. Postpaid plans may have excess usage fees.

Speed cap

A speed cap refers to the maximum speeds your mobile plan is capable of hitting. These are becoming increasingly common on more affordable plans. Cheaper plans, for example, may have a speed limit of 100Mbps.

eSIM

An eSIM is a rewritable SIM card that’s built into a smartphone or smartwatch. An eSIM never leaves your phone. There's no need to pop open a slot or pry off a case to put it in. Instead, you simply download a "software SIM" from your provider of choice. Most high-end phones from recent years support eSIM.

International roaming

International roaming refers to using your Australian phone plan overseas. Not all phone plans support roaming, but all providers that offer the service charge extra. Prices for roaming tend to start at $5 per day.

MVNO

MVNO is short for Mobile Virtual Network Operator. An MVNO is a mobile provider that doesn't own its mobile network. Instead, it resells access to someone else's network. In Australia, MVNOs resell access to Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone.

SIM-only

SIM-only mobile plans are mobile plans that don't come with a new phone. SIM-only plans can be postpaid or prepaid, but the telcos often use SIM-only in reference to postpaid plans.