Tara Donnelly

Tara Donnelly is Canstar Blue’s Utilities Editor, leading the team that focuses on energy, telecommunications and consumer technology. She has spent more than a decade covering these topics in Australia, the US and Canada, and has authored over 500 Canstar Blue articles. Her expertise has seen her appear in national media including 9 News, 7 News, Sunrise, the ABC , The Australian Financial Review, 4BC Radio and The Sydney Morning Herald. Tara has been nominated for multiple awards for her technology reporting, including Canstar Blue’s highly commended recognition for Best Consumer Technology Coverage in 2024. She has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canberra and is passionate about simplifying complex subjects so consumers aren’t just informed, they’re connected and confident. You can read more of Tara's published articles and follow Tara on LinkedIn.


Tablet with Netflix application open

Save up to 50% on Netflix streaming with Optus

Posted by May 24th 2023

Optus customers looking for a cheap deal on streaming can now grab a sweet, limited-time Netflix discount – as long as you're happy to roll your subscription on to your phone or internet bill. Sign up …


Group of friends taking group selfie with smartphone

Optus prepaid phone plans

Posted by March 27th 2024

Optus is one of the biggest phone providers in Australia and while it's more known for postpaid plans and plans bundled with handsets, it does offer a range of prepaid recharges that could be what …


Nokia C32 phones on green background

The Nokia C32 is a big camera, big battery phone for under $250

Posted by May 19th 2023

Nokia's newest affordable smartphone brings upgraded photography and massive multi-day battery life to the under-$250 price range. Announced this week, the Nokia C32 is the first device in the iconic brand's C-series phone lineup to …


Woman using mobile phone

Telstra to hike mobile plan prices from July

Posted by May 16th 2023

Tough news for Telstra phone customers: Australia's biggest telco has confirmed that its postpaid mobile plan prices are about to increase by as much as $6 per month. Customers on Telstra's SIM-only postpaid, phone-on-a-plan, and mobile …


Woman reading scam text on mobile phone

ACMA names and shames companies allowing scam texts through

Posted by May 12th 2023

The telco industry has been cracking down hard on insidious SMS scams over the last 12 months — but not every provider is pulling their weight. Australia's communications and media regulator has busted three companies …


Google Pixel Tablet

Google announces the Pixel Tablet, a smart home/tablet hybrid

Posted by May 11th 2023

The Google smarthome universe continues to expand, with the overnight announcement of the new and first-ever Pixel Tablet. If you’re a Google fanatic wanting a powerful, premium companion to the Pixel phone, Pixel Watch or …



White piggy bank in front of toy house with light bulb

Budget offers $500 in energy bill relief: Are you eligible?

Posted by May 10th 2023

Households struggling with sky-high power bills could soon be getting a helping hand, thanks to the cost-of-living relief outlined in the 2023-24 Federal Budget. The government has allocated $14.6 billion to help Aussies manage rising household …