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Compare Mobile Phone Plans Australia

Looking for a better phone plan? Canstar Blue compares SIM-only and new phone plans from a large range of mobile providers so you can easily find the option that suits you, whether you want a low-cost plan with basic inclusions or a premium plan with plenty of data.

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Instantly compare 200+ Canstar Blue expert rated products based on these selections

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Moose Mobile | Moose 25GB SIM Only
SIM-Only postpaid | No lock-in contract
Award icon Outstanding Value - SIM Only Post-paid Glossary
min. total cost $11.80 over 1 month period
star star star star empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
  • icon Network provider: Optus Glossary
  • icon Network technology: 5G enabled Glossary
  • icon Data Banking of 200GB Glossary
Value Rank Glossary
out of 10 Glossary
25GB Glossary
$11.80 Glossary
for the first 8 months, then $24.80 Glossary
Kogan | SMALL 365 Days Plan
SIM-Only prepaid | 365 days renewal period
min. total cost $120.00 spend over 365 day expiry
star star star star empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
  • icon Network provider: Vodafone Glossary
  • icon Network technology: 4G enabled Glossary
Value Rank Glossary
out of 10 Glossary
120GB Glossary
$120 Glossary
TPG | T4G Small Plan
SIM-Only prepaid | 30.417 days renewal period
Award icon Outstanding Value - SIM Only Pre-Paid Glossary
min. total cost $10.00 spend over 30.417 day expiry
star star star empty empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
  • icon Network provider: Vodafone Glossary
  • icon Network technology: 4G enabled Glossary
Value Rank Glossary
out of 10 Glossary
12GB Glossary
$10 Glossary
for six recharges then $20.00/expiry Glossary
Moose Mobile | Moose 15GB SIM Only
SIM-Only postpaid | No lock-in contract
Award icon Outstanding Value - SIM Only Post-paid Glossary
min. total cost $14.80 over 1 month period
star star star star empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
  • icon Network provider: Optus Glossary
  • icon Network technology: 5G enabled Glossary
  • icon Data Banking of 200GB Glossary
Value Rank Glossary
out of 10 Glossary
15GB Glossary
$14.80 Glossary
for the first 8 months, then $19.80 Glossary
Everyday Mobile | Pre-paid Mobile $170 Starter Pack
SIM-Only prepaid | 365 days renewal period
min. total cost $172.00 spend over 365 day expiry
star star star star empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
  • icon Network provider: Telstra Glossary
  • icon Network technology: 4G enabled Glossary
Value Rank Glossary
out of 10 Glossary
125GB Glossary
$170 Glossary
+$2 setup fee Glossary
Kogan | $15 Small Plan
SIM-Only prepaid | 30 days renewal period
min. total cost $15.00 spend over 30 day expiry
star star star star empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
  • icon Network provider: Vodafone Glossary
  • icon Network technology: 4G enabled Glossary
Value Rank Glossary
out of 10 Glossary
10GB Glossary
$15 Glossary
Vodafone | $150 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack
SIM-Only prepaid | 185 days renewal period
min. total cost $75.00 spend over 185 day expiry
star star star empty empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
  • icon Network provider: Vodafone Glossary
  • icon Network technology: 5G enabled Glossary
Value Rank Glossary
out of 10 Glossary
140GB Glossary
140GB for 1 month, then 80GB/mth Glossary
$75 Glossary
for one recharge then $150.00/expiry Glossary
Kogan | MEDIUM 365 Days Plan
SIM-Only prepaid | 365 days renewal period
min. total cost $160.00 spend over 365 day expiry
star star star star empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
  • icon Network provider: Vodafone Glossary
  • icon Network technology: 4G enabled Glossary
Value Rank Glossary
out of 10 Glossary
200GB Glossary
$160 Glossary
for one recharge then $180.00/expiry Glossary
Everyday Mobile | Pre-paid Mobile $100 Starter Pack
SIM-Only prepaid | 180 days renewal period
min. total cost $102.00 spend over 180 day expiry
star star star star empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
  • icon Network provider: Telstra Glossary
  • icon Network technology: 4G enabled Glossary
Value Rank Glossary
out of 10 Glossary
60GB Glossary
$100 Glossary
+$2 setup fee Glossary
iiNet | $19.99 Mobile Voice SIM Only
SIM-Only prepaid | 30.417 days renewal period
min. total cost $10.00 spend over 30.417 day expiry
star star star empty empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
  • icon Network provider: Vodafone Glossary
  • icon Network technology: 4G enabled Glossary
Value Rank Glossary
out of 10 Glossary
8GB Glossary
$10 Glossary
for six recharges then $19.99/expiry Glossary

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blue-star-rating Canstar Blue Brand Satisfaction Rating

Unsure of a term in the above table? View glossary

The initial results in the table above are sorted by Value Rank (High-Low) , then Advertised Cost (Low-High) , then Provider Name (Alphabetical) . Additional filters may have been applied, see top of table for details.

Latest in mobile

We compare phone plans from 35+ Australian providers

Mobile phone guides and resources

Use Canstar Blue’s mobile and phone guides and articles to help you understand the types of mobile plans on offer, troubleshoot your current plan and service, and find the best mobile and phone deals for your needs.

How to choose the best mobile phone plan for you

Choosing a phone plan doesn’t have to be hard, all it comes down to is working out what you actually need on your plan and setting a realistic budget.

For example, if you’re not planning on spending a lot of money, you’ll want to compare a range of cheap phone plans. However, if you need lots of data, a cheaper plan will most likely not include the amount of data you’re looking for.

You’ll want to keep a few things in mind when comparing phone plans:

  • Price (set a realistic budget)
  • Inclusions (data and other extras)
  • Plan type (SIM-only or phone on a plan, prepaid or postpaid)
  • Network coverage

Once you’ve thought about the key things you need in a plan, you can use our phone comparison tool at the top of this page to compare phone plans across a range of filters to see what plans are available and will suit your criteria.

What are the main types of mobile plans?

When you’re choosing a new mobile plan, you’ll need to decide what type of plan you want. This can be broken down into the features of the plan — SIM-only or bundled with a mobile phone — and the way that you pay for your plan — prepaid or postpaid.

Phone on a plan

Phone on a plan is where you buy a new mobile phone on a plan through a telco. Only a small number of telcos offer the option to do this, so choices for buying a phone on a plan are limited.

The advantage to this is that buying an expensive phone, such as an iPhone or premium Samsung device (which will typically cost over $1,000 upfront), might be easier to manage as this cost is spread over time. However, buying on a plan allows you to split the device payment in monthly instalments over a set amount of time — usually 12, 24 or 36 months. You’ll also typically have a phone plan included with your new phone from the telco and your monthly bill will be a combination of what your device payments are and the phone plan you’ve bundled with it.

SIM-only plans

A SIM-only plan is the alternative to buying a phone on a plan, where you just get the SIM card. If you don’t want a new handset, or if you’ve chosen to buy a new phone outright instead, you’ll need a SIM-only plan in order to use your phone to access calls, SMS and data services.

SIM-only plans are available from a wide range of providers on both a prepaid and postpaid basis. They are often as simple as buying the SIM card (usually bundled with a plan) and activating the card yourself. SIM-only plans are available as a prepaid or postpaid plan and SIM cards can be bought directly through the retailer, usually online, or even in supermarkets and other retail stores.

Prepaid plans

Prepaid plans are plans where you pre-pay, or pay in advance, to access your plan’s inclusions. You’ll then have a set period, known as an expiry period, in which to use your plan’s call, SMS and data inclusions, before the plan either needs to be recharged manually or the plan auto renews. Prepaid expiry periods can be as short as seven days or as long as 365 days, but are most commonly available over 28 or 30 days.

Postpaid plans

Postpaid plans are where you pay for your plan after you’ve used it, usually in the form of a monthly phone bill, with plans running on a monthly billing cycle. If you go over your plan’s inclusions, you’re typically able to continue using your phone’s inclusions, but you might be charged extra on your next phone bill, depending on your telco.


Read more: Should I buy a phone outright or on a plan?


Our telco experts have picked out this month’s best phone plans

If you’re looking for a new mobile phone plan, the best way to find the one that’s right for you is to compare plans. Once you have a clear idea of what you want for your plan, you can compare mobile phone plans from a range of different providers, according to your criteria. At Canstar Blue, you can use our phone plan comparison tool to make this easy, otherwise, we have a range of guides and articles covering different phone plans to help you find what you need.

The best mobile phone plan providers in Australia

When you know what you want from your mobile plan, one of the hardest things to decide is which mobile phone plan provider is going to be the best for your needs. Not all telcos are created equal — some only offer prepaid plans, some only postpaid, while others might offer a range of different plan types. In addition, network coverage can vary between providers, and some telcos might also offer extras, discounts or special deals. To help you choose a good phone plan provider, you can check out our ratings, articles and guides to give you the information you need.

Compare mobile phone plans from the top telcos

Of course, you can’t talk about phone plans without mentioning Australia’s three biggest telcos — Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. These big names are popular for a reason, offering a wide range of different phone plans, across both SIM-only and plans bundled with a new mobile phone. Not only do these three telcos offer a large range of phone plans, but they also happen to run the three mobile networks which provide mobile coverage across Australia. There can be benefits to choosing a plan with one of these three telcos, so you may want to compare mobile plans from the big three to see if these phone plans are right for you.

Telstra mobile phone plans

Telstra is Australia’s biggest telco by customer size, and like Optus and Vodafone, is a ‘full service’ provider — offering a range of postpaid, prepaid, and phone-on-a-plan mobile options, as well as internet. Telstra’s mobile phone plans sit on the pricier end of the scale, but many customers prefer to pay a little extra for Telstra coverage, which is available to more than 99% of the population.

Telstra provides 3G, 4G, and now 5G services to eligible customers, and offers a good selection of 5G-ready phones at various price points, If you’re looking for a phone on a telco plan, Telstra stocks devices from Apple, Samsung, Google, OPPO, and more, to buy both outright and on payment plans over 12, 24 or 36 months.

Both prepaid and SIM-only Telstra mobile plans come with plenty of extras, such as international inclusions, data rollover, and data-free sports streaming, Postpaid plans also feature no excess data charges in Australia, and customers can add-on a range of extra such as Netflix and Kayo streaming.

Optus mobile phone plans

Like Telstra, Optus offers both postpaid and prepaid SIM-only phone plans, as well as mobile phones on handset payment plans of 12, 24, or 36 months. Optus is also rolling out its 5G network, and has begun offering coverage to postpaid, prepaid and home internet customers on eligible plans.

Optus stocks a wide range of phones, including premium devices from Apple, Samsung, OPPO, Google, and more, plus more affordable handsets at lower price points. These can all be added to Optus’ mobile phone plan range, all of which include 5G access as well as extras such as international texting, no excess data charges in Australia, and Optus Sport.

The telco has also tightened its prepaid plan range, but gives customers the option to go SIM-only or pick up a prepaid phone. Optus provides a large selection of prepaid options, including daily, weekly and monthly plans with plenty of data.

Vodafone mobile phone plans

Australia’s third biggest telco merged with broadband powerhouse TPG in 2020, and now sits in the TPG Telecom Group while remaining a provider in its own right. Vodafone’s mobile phone plans include SIM-only postpaid and prepaid, as well as the option to buy from a wide range of smartphones on a handset repayment plan.

Although Telstra, Optus and Vodafone each offer unlimited data and restricted speeds across all postpaid plans, Vodafone offers a slightly faster capped speed at 2Mbps (compared to the 1.5Mbps with Optus and Telstra plans). Vodafone’s plans also feature extras such as unlimited talk and text, mobile hotspot data, and frequent bonuses such as extra fast data.

Vodafone also provides 3G, 4,G and 5G network coverage where available, and states that its network covers 96% of the Australian metro population. Although Vodafone’s regional coverage isn’t on par with Telstra and Optus, it does offer some of the cheapest plans of the big three telcos, which is a bonus if you’re looking to keep your phone bill down.

Ratings and reviews of Australia’s best smartphones

Need a new phone to go with your new phone plan? Every year, more and more phones are released across all price ranges — from the cheapest phones for under $200, to devices over $2,000. Even if you have a set budget, it can be confusing to know which phone is going to have the features you want at your price range. At Canstar Blue we publish a range of articles, guides and phone reviews to help you find the best smartphone that might have the features and price you’re looking for.

iPhones

Apple’s iconic iPhone continues to be a top pick for Aussies, with the compnay previously winning Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customers – Smartphones award in 2021 and 2022. However, iPhones do run on the expensive side, with the iPhone 15 series ranging from $1,499 for the iPhone 15, up to $2,899 for the largest Pro Max.

If you’d rather spread the cost of your iPhone 15 over a payment period, you can pick up the devices on iPhone plans from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. These three telcos also stock previous year’s models, such as the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13.

Samsung phones

The biggest name in Android devices, Samsung offers a large range of smartphones across multiple price points – from the premium Galaxy S24 and Galaxy Z lines, to the more affordable Galaxy A series. So depending on your budget, there’s likely to be a Samsung phone that’s right for you.

You can pick up any of a number of Galaxy phones on Samsung phone plans from Australia’s leading telcos, including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Southern Phone and TeleChoice.

OPPO phones

OPPO is one of the breakthrough phone brands of the last five years, producing both high-end and budget-friendly devices with impressive cameras and sleek designs. Prices span from under $250 for the OPPO A series, well over $1,000 for the premium OPPO Find X5 Pro.

You can purchase many of these phones on an OPPO mobile phone plan from providers including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and TeleChoice, with a range of payment terms available.

Google phones

Google’s premium phone range, the Google Pixel series, remains a popular choice for Aussies wanting a high-end alternative to Samsung or iPhone. The Pixel 8 prices begin at $1,199 for the standard device, up to $1,699 for the advanced Pixel 8 Pro.

Ad with other high-end devices, you can pick up the Google Pixel range on phones plans from Telstra, Vodafone and Optus, and spread the cost of your plan over one, two, or three years of repayments.

Learn more about 5G in Australia

5G in Australia is the next step in mobile technology, delivering faster speeds than existing 4G mobile networks. Those faster speeds mean you can enjoy things like video streaming and online gaming with less buffering and lag. As the Telstra, Optus and Vodafone 5G networks continue to roll out across the country, and additional 5G phones are released, more Aussies will be able to access these ultra-fast speeds.

Meet our mobile phone experts

 

Canstar Blue Editorial Team

Canstar Blue has a skilled team of experienced journalists, content writers and subject matter experts dedicated to producing factual, up-to-date and well-researched information.


Christine Seib

Christine Seib

Editor-in-Chief

Tara-Donnelly-small

Tara Donnelly

Utilities Editor

Emma-Bradstock-small

Emma Bradstock

Senior Telco Specialist

 

Meet the Editorial Team

 

Canstar Blue Data & Research Team

Canstar Blue’s Research Team provides the expertise that powers our Star Ratings and Awards, designed to help Australian consumers make more informed purchasing decisions.


Mitch Watson

Mitch Watson

Group Manager, Research & Insights

Joshua Sale Canstar

Joshua Sale

Ratings Manager

Breanna Gream Canstar Blue

Breanna Gream

Data Insights Team Lead

Josh-Filosi-small

Josh Filosi

Data Insights Analyst

Erin Jackson

Telco Data Analyst

Amy Ngheim Canstar

Amy Nghiem

Data Analyst

 

Meet the Research Team

FAQs about Mobile Phone Plans

Choosing your own phone number is possible but it might be a little complicated, and could even incur a fee. Only a few telcos will offer you the opportunity to do this, and some might even be a little more secretive as to whether they offer this service or not. Typically you’ll need to get in touch with the telco to organise choosing your phone number.

While your credit score can affect your ability to pick up certain phone plans, not all phone plans require a credit check, so it is possible to pick up a phone plan with bad credit. If you look into plans without a contract, such as a prepaid plan or a month-to-month postpaid plan, you may not need a credit check when signing up. Some SIM cards are also available to buy at a supermarket and set up yourself, without the need for a contract.

Video streaming is one of the most data-intensive activities you can do on your phone, especially if those videos are in High Definition (HD). Not all streaming services will provide estimates for how much mobile data you’ll use when streaming. YouTube tends to be on the more conservative end of data usage with around 1.65GB of data per hour for full HD, while Netflix can easily use around 3GB of data for an hour of HD streaming.

It’s a common misconception that if you sign up for a new phone plan with a different telco, that you’ll need a new phone number. This isn’t the case — you can easily keep your phone number when you switch providers. It’s called mobile number porting, and the good news is that the telcos do most of the work for you. Just make sure to inform them you wish to keep your current phone number, and don’t cancel your current plan until your new plan is activated.

If you choose to buy a phone outright versus on a plan, the benefit is that you’re not locked into a contract and have more freedom and choice of SIM-only plans. But buying a phone on a plan saves that upfront device cost, instead spreading your device payment over 12, 24 or 36 months.

Consider your financial situation and take a look at your budget to help determine what the best option is for you. Also keep in mind that when you buy a phone on a plan, you’ll be restricted to the choice of postpaid plans offered by that one provider. Therefore, you’ll also need to consider which telco is best for you in terms of plan prices, data inclusions and mobile coverage.

There are more telcos than just the big three mobile networks — Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Smaller telcos, known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators or MVNOs, offer phone plans operating on one of the three mobile networks. The only difference between mobile coverage from the big three and MVNOs is that MVNOs may only have access to certain parts of the mobile network, so mobile coverage might be more limited.

Choosing the best phone plan for your child doesn’t have to be complicated. Many providers offer reasonably cheap phone plans with small data inclusions that may suit a child’s first phone plan. Ultimately, you’ll need to compare phone plans from a range of providers to find which phone plan will best suit your child’s needs.

There are many low-cost options for phone plans that may suit seniors who have low phone usage needs. From cheap phone plans to pay-as-you-go and long-term plans, there are many options available if you don’t need to use your phone much.

Important information

For those that love the detail

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.

Canstar Blue may earn a fee from its Online Partners for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship or promotion of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship or promotion may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship/promotion fees may be higher than referral fees. If a product is sponsored or promoted, it’s an ad and it is clearly marked as such. An ad might appear in different places on our website, such as in comparison tables and articles. Ads may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product's rating, price or other attributes. The location of an ad doesn’t indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar Blue. Payment of fees for ads does not influence Value Rank or Customer Satisfaction Ratings. See How We Get Paid to find out more.

Mobile Value Rank & Sort Order 

The data in the table is updated within 24 hours of Canstar Blue becoming aware of a change. You can find a description of the initial sort order below the table. You can use the sort buttons at the top of each column to re-order the display. Learn more about our Mobile Value Rank Methodology

Our Value Rank compares a plan’s data allowance over a calendar month which is approximately 30.4 days regardless of a plan’s expiry period. When showing results filtered by data, a calendar month average will be used.

Please note that the Customer Satisfaction rating displayed in the table is a rating relating to customer overall satisfaction with the brand, and should not be confused with an individual product rating. Learn more about Mobile Customer Satisfaction ratings and for more information on how the Customer Satisfaction ratings are calculated, read the Canstar Blue Customer Satisfaction Ratings Methodology.

The ratings shown are only one factor to take into account when considering products. The results do not include all Mobile retailers or products in the market, and may not compare all features relevant to you. Canstar Blue does not supply mobile services. If you decide to apply for a particular Mobile product, you will deal directly with the mobile retailer, and not with Canstar Blue. Fees, charges, product information, costs,  and contract terms should be confirmed directly with the relevant mobile retailer. 

Unlimited Data

Where 'unlimited' is used in relation to Data available on a plan it is likely to be subject to a fair use policy. Please confirm any terms of a fair use policy with your selected provider before making a purchase decision.

What does the ‘phone’ mean?
By clicking on the number next to the phone icon, you will leave the Canstar Blue website and be connected with the call centre of the Online Partner’s brand that you have selected. You will be subject to that referral partner's brand privacy policy and terms of use. You agree that Canstar Blue Referral Terms apply to this referral.