Optus Mobile Plans Review: The Verdict
Optus undeniably has great extras, support options, and reports Australia's second largest mobile network, but unfortunately the value for your dollar is less than other providers.
What we love
- Wide spread mobile network
- Good selection of extras and perks
What could be improved
- Expensive compared to other providers
- More bundling options
Overall:
The Australian telco is hard to navigate. Technically we only have three mobile networks but there are countless providers doing their own thing. It makes sense to start with The Big Three.
Optus is one of the most popular providers in Australia, but is it the best option for you? In this review we take a look at value, support options, and the bonuses you get for being with Optus.
Before we start, here's Optus' current range of SIM-only mobile plans:
|
#1
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
#2
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$69.00/mth
Min. cost $69
|
|
#3
|
Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$70.00/mth
Min. cost $70
|
|
#4
|
Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$90.00/mth
Min. cost $90
|
Optus mobile plans: Value
Calculating value on mobile plans is complicated. The data to dollar value changes depending on which plan you decide on. Even the cheapest plan may be too expensive, but if it comes with a good amount of data then it almost evens out... In a way, at least. At the same time, you shouldn't be paying for more data than you use.
Based on extrapolated data from the ACCC, the average Australian currently uses about 30GB per month. In order to determine value, we've looked at how much a telco charges for its cheapest plan that meets that criteria, excluding discounts, promos, and extras.
Here is how Optus' cheapest postpaid plan with at least 30GB compares to the competition:
|
#1
|
Moose Mobile
Moose 23 SIM Only
$14.00/mth
Min. cost $14
|
|
#2
|
Belong
25GB Mobile Plan
$34.00/mth
Min. cost $34
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Coles Mobile
$35 Mobile Plan
$35.00/mth
Min. cost $12
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
#5
|
Everyday Mobile
$40 SIM Only
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $40
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Vodafone
$58 Small SIM Only Plan
$45.00/mth
Min. cost $45
|
|
#7
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront SIM Plan
$74.00/mth
Min. cost $74
Link not supplied
|
Optus sits quite high on the pricing spectrum, but the amount of data above 30GB that you get is impressive. The only other plan at a comparable price point is Telstra which gives you 40GB as opposed to 80GB. Of course though, you probably won't use 80GB every month so paying the premium for it may just be throwing money away. Even though you get a lot of data on the Optus dollar in this comparison, the price you'll pay to get at least 30GB is significantly higher than almost any other provider.
All Optus postpaid plans are free from excess charges. If you go over your allowance, you'll be able to keep using your service at capped speeds of 1.5Mbps or you can pay to top up your data in increments of 2GB, 5GB or 10GB.
Optus coverage
Optus' network currently reaches 98.5% of the population and its 5G coverage is continuing to grow.
If you want to check if a certain address has Optus coverage, you can use our coverage checker tool to do so.
All you need to do is punch in your address when searching for a new phone plan. After you've done so and hit Search, you can jump straight to the coverage map by tapping See Coverage Map and then tapping Click To Activate Interactive Map.This map will show you what kind of coverage you have in your area. 5G coverage is highlighted using the darkest shade of purple, 4G in the medium shade, and 3G in the lightest.
Coverage maps are only approximate, only show outdoor coverage, and may be impacted by local conditions such as buildings.
Optus mobile plans: Support
When it comes to discussing support we know that it is difficult to make a fair judgement. For every great customer service experience there is an equally horrific one. It isn't a reflection on the brand so much as it is on the situation. Instead we look at quantity over quality. The more avenues a telco has in order to help customers the larger the investment it has made in to customer service. That counts for something.
Here is how Optus' support options compare to the competition:
Optus Support Options Compared
| Provider | In-store | Call | Chat | Social | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telstra | - | ||||
| Optus | - | ||||
| Vodafone | - | - | |||
| amaysim | - | ||||
| Circles.Life | - | ||||
| Woolworths Mobile | - | - | - | ||
| ALDI | - | - | - | - | |
| Boost | - | - | |||
| TPG | - |
Optus has a comprehensive support system, and you can get in touch through almost any of your prefferred pipes. The only support option missing is email or an online contact form, but that can easily be subbed out for a message on Facebook or on Twitter - or hey even in a brick and mortar store.
Optus mobile plans: Extras
Optus mobile plans are packed with perks. Here's how the extras you'll get compare to other mobile providers:
Telstra Extras Compared
| Provider | Perks Program | International Calls | 5G | Discount Bundles | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telstra | - | ||||
| Optus | - | ||||
| Vodafone | - | ||||
| amaysim | - | - | - | - | |
| Circles.Life | - | - | - | - | - |
| Woolworths Mobile | - | - | - | ||
| ALDI | - | - | - | - | |
| Boost | - | - | - | ||
| TPG | - | - | - |
Optus was awarded the fastest 5G Mobile Network by Ookla, although in our smaller scale tests we haven't seen the same thing. That isn't to say that Optus' 5G speeds aren't impressive, more so that we haven't seen their full potential at our Sydney testing sites, as of yet. Every Optus postpaid plan comes with 5G connectivity as well as the provider's Flex prepaid options. Note that you'll need to have a compatible device in order to access 5G with any provider.
All but the cheapest Optus postpaid plans include unlimited international calls and text per month to 35 destinations. MMS incurs additional charges. Alternatively, you can purchase an international calls Add-On for the cheapest plan as required.
Until the last plan reshuffle, most Optus postpaid customers had international roaming data built into plans. We are awaiting confirmation from Optus about whether this legacy plans still have access to these inclusions, but in the interim new postpaid customers can use the Optus Roaming Pass. This costs $10 per day for 1GB or 24 hours of use - whichever comes first. You'll also get unlimited talk and text in eligible destinations.
Every Optus plan also comes with access to Optus Sport + OS Fitness. Optus Sport, affectionately referred to as OS could almost be renamed Optus Soccer because that is currently what you’ll get for your subscription. OS is the exclusive Australian home to:
- Premier League
- UEFA Champions League
- UEFA Nations League
- UEFA Euro
- UEFA Europa
- Euro2020
The platform also has the right to stream select matches of:
- European Qualifiers
- J.League
- Barclay Women’s Super League
Users can also access a range of workouts through Optus Fitness.
The only extra that Optus customers miss out on is bundling plans for a discount. In all fairness Optus does have a family SIM bundle that allows you to do this, but you can't pick and choose different plans and get a loyalty discount for it; for saving if you also take out one of Optus' internet options.
Optus mobile plans: Devices
Optus offers a wide range of phones on a plan, including the latest from Apple, Samsung, and Google. Here are a few popular options.
iPhone 18 Pro 256GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB
- 6.9 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 200MP, 10MP, 50MP, 50MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Pixel 11 256GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 10.8MP, 13MP
- Front Camera: 10.5MP
Edge 70 5G
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 50MP
- Front Camera: 50MP
Find X5 Lite
- 6.43 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 64MP, 8MP, 2MP
- Front Camera: 32MP
Phone 3 256GB
- 6.67 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 50MP, 50MP
- Front Camera: 50MP
Nubia Focus 5G
- 6.6 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 108MP, 2MP
- Front Camera: 5MP
See all phones available on Optus here.
Optus mobile FAQ
How can I speak to someone at Optus?
Optus has a range of support options, you can visit in-store, call the service line on 133 937, get in touch through social media, or chat through the on-site assistant.
Why is Optus so slow?
If you are experiencing slowed mobile data speeds with Optus than usual you may be in a low coverage area, be accessing the network at a congested time, dropped down to 3G coverage, or have used up your monthly data allowance and are now on capped speeds.
What about an Optus-powered provider?
If you're looking for Optus coverage but don't want to be on Optus then you're in luck. At the time of writing, Optus powered the most small providers (named MVNOs) in Australia. Each of these providers use the same network as Optus proper, but you can get plans much cheaper.
Anula Wiwatowska
Offsite Editorial Lead | Instagram
Related Articles
![[Editor's Picks] Best mobile plans for October 2026](https://r3.whistleout.com.au/public/images/articles/2026/01/mobile-phone-plan-Featured.png?w=280&h=280&usm=20&usmrad=0.8&fit=crop "[Editor's Picks] Best mobile plans for October 2026")
