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SIM-Only Mobile Phone Plans
If you’ve been locked into the two-year new-phone-and-plan cycle, you may not be familiar with SIM-only phone plans. An alternative to signing a standard 24-month phone contract, a SIM-only plan allows you to bring your own device to the provider and select a plan of your choice.
Instead of a new handset, you’ll simply receive a SIM card that’s connected to the telco’s network. Insert it into your unlocked phone, activate and set up your plan, and you’re good to go – without the long-term contracts and hassle of signing up for a new device.
Generally, a SIM-only plan will feature all or most of the inclusions and extras provided on your telco’s standard two-year plans. But because you’re not adding in the cost of buying a brand-new smartphone, you’ll pay less each month. Plus, you won’t be required to sign a lock-in contract unless, of course, you opt for a plan on a contract over 12-months for example.
You’ll also get to pick your own device: whether it’s brand new, pre-owned or a device handed down by a family member, you’re not limited to the range of new phones stocked by providers. Telcos use the promise of a new, shiny smartphone as a means of chaining customers to a network long-term, but if you skip the phone upgrade, you can enjoy more flexibility, choice and even some savings.
If you’re interested in signing up to a SIM-only phone plan, or you want to compare SIM-only plans currently on the market, read on to find out more.
- Why choose a SIM-only plan?
- Prepaid SIM-only plans
- 12-month SIM-only plans
- Month-to-month SIM-only plans
- Cheap SIM-only plans
- Unlimited data on SIM-only plans
- Unlocking your phone
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SIM-Only Plans – quick glance
Read on to find the best SIM-only plan for you. But if you’re in a hurry, you might like the looks of one of these plans from our database. The table shows a selection of SIM-only plan with unlimited talk & text and about 10GB of data. Use our comparison tool for even more deals. These are sponsored products.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $24.80 over one month plan period |
10GB | $24.80 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $25 over 30 day billing period |
11GB | $25 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $28.99 over one month plan period |
10GB | $28.99 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $29.90 over 30 day plan period |
10GB | $29.90 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $30 over 28 day expiry |
30GB | $30 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $35 over one month plan period |
10GB | $35 | Go To Site |
 View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Why choose a SIM-Only plan?
The obvious reason to jump to a SIM-only plan – also known as a bring-your-own (BYO) phone plan – is the potential to save some money, even just short-term. Reasons you might be better off on a SIM-only plan include:
- You love your current phone and don’t need to replace it
- You’re looking to cut down on your monthly mobile costs
- You’re waiting for an upcoming phone release and don’t want to upgrade or sign a new contract just yet
- You like to swap between phones
- You’re looking for a phone plan for your kid and already have a handset for them
- Your mobile usage can vary month-to-month
- You want more flexibility from your mobile plan.
Essentially, if you’re happy with your current phone and want to save on your mobile bill, SIM-only is worth looking into. What you’ll need to decide, besides how much data you’ll need, is if you want to go month-to-month or sign up on a 12-month plan, and if you’d prefer a postpaid or prepaid service.
You’ll also find that there are more telcos to choose from when going with a SIM-only plan. Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) are the smaller operators using the Telstra, Vodafone and Optus networks to provide services. Many of these smaller telcos tend to offer cheaper phone plans than the big three, although you typically won’t get the same perks such as data-free entertainment streaming or unlimited data.
Prepaid SIM-Only Plans
If you like to pay in advance, and don’t want the worry of potential overages, prepaid plans are your best bet. You’ll pay for a set number of inclusions or credit each billing period (usually 28, 30, or 35 days); once this is exceeded, you’ll need to manually recharge before you can call, text or use data. Some telcos do allow you to set up auto recharge for prepaid plans.
Prepaid mobile phone plans can be every bit as competitive as postpaid options, and brands such as Boost Mobile, Amaysim and Yomojo can offer great deals (as listed below). You’ll also find great value in supermarket mobile brands, such as ALDI Mobile. The below table includes links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $34.90 over 30 day expiry |
16GB | $34.90 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $40 over 28 day expiry |
45GB | $40 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $40 over 28 day expiry |
30GB | $40 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $40 over 35 day expiry |
20GB | $40 | Go To Site |
| View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
12-Month SIM-Only Plans
Although many people opt for a SIM-only plan to avoid signing contracts, the biggest deals are usually reserved for customers on 12-month BYO postpaid phone plans. Telcos want you to stick around, so it makes sense that year-long plans come with the biggest value; if you’re not afraid to commit, it’s a great way to lock down a good price and score some great plan inclusions.
Vodafone and Telstra’s SIM-only plans offer great incentives, but smaller brands such as Southern Phone and Moose Mobile are also worth checking out. Below are just some of the 12-month SIM-only plans, all of which include unlimited talk and text, and plenty of data each month. The below table includes links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $300 over 12 month plan period |
15GB | $25 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $384 over 12 month plan period |
16GB | $32 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $540 over 12 month plan period |
50GB | $45 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $708 over 12 month plan period |
60GB | $59 | Go To Site |
| View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Month-to-Month SIM-Only Plans
Not ready to be locked into a single plan or provider? You can always sign up for a month-to-month SIM plan. Most telcos will offer no-contract plans, on either a prepaid or postpaid basis, for customers bringing their own devices, although they may come with slightly less data or inclusions than equivalent plans on a 12-month contract.
Plenty of MVNOs sell affordable, data-packed SIM-only plans with no lock-in contract (for example, Boost Mobile and Exetel). The below table includes links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $20 over 28 day expiry |
5GB | $20 | Go To Site |
 |
Extra Value 4G
min. cost $24.99 over one month plan period |
10GB | $24.99 | |
|
min. cost $39 over one month plan period |
25GB | $39 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $50 over 28 day expiry |
60GB | $50 | Go To Site |
| View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Cheap SIM-Only Plans
One incentive you might have for switching to a SIM-only plan is to find a cheap plan. You’ll find many of the smaller telcos will offer really basic plans for $10 or less. Many of these plans are specifically aimed at kids or other light phone users, such as seniors, therefore they won’t include much data and calls might be capped.
If you want more than 2GB of data and unlimited standard national calls, you can grab a plan with decent inclusions at under $20. These cheap plans are available from both prepaid and postpaid providers, so there are plenty of options to choose from. The following table includes plans from both prepaid and postpaid providers with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Super Saver 4G
min. cost $8.99 over one month plan period |
2GB | $8.99 | |
|
min. cost $117.60 over 12 month plan period |
1GB | $9.80 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $9.90 over 30 day expiry |
1GB | $9.90 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $10 over 28 day expiry |
1GB | $10 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $15 over 30 day expiry |
3GB | $15 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $192 over 12 month plan period |
3GB | $16 | Go To Site |
| View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Unlimited data on SIM-Only plans
If you think going SIM-only means limits on your data, think again. Vodafone has three unlimited data postpaid options and the good news is they’re BYO-phone compatible.
Vodafone’s $50 SIM Only Plus Plan, $60 SIM Only Plus Plan and $80 SIM Only Plus Plan feature unlimited data, but there is a catch. Once you’ve gone through your high-speed data inclusion, your speeds are capped at 1.5Mbps. However each plan includes a hefty amount of high-speed 4G data: 60GB on the $50 option, 40GB on the $60 option and 80GB on the $80 plan, with bonus high-speed data routinely included on the $60 and $80 plans.
All of these plans include unlimited standard national talk and text, plus up to 3300 standard international call minutes each month. However, these plans are only offered on a 12-month contract, so you need to be prepared to stick around for a while.
Not to be outdone, Telstra now also includes unlimited data on its Large and Extra Large 12-month SIM-only plans. Like Vodafone, this unlimited ‘Peace of Mind’ data is capped at speeds of 1.5Mbps, but you’ll also get great full-speed data inclusions on both plans: currently, the $69 Large plan features 60GB per month (30GB + 30GB of bonus data), while the $89 Extra Large option includes 90GB (60GB + 30GB of bonus data).
Telstra’s unlimited data SIM plans also come with unlimited international talk and text to 15 countries and the Extra Large plan throws in 2GB of overseas data roaming each month. Both plans also include data-free streaming of Apple Music, data-free sports streaming (including the NRL and AFL) and free access to the Telstra Air WiFi data network.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $660 over 12 month plan period |
90GB | $55 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $780 over 12 month plan period |
125GB | $65 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $708 over 12 month plan period |
60GB | $59 | Go To Site |
|
$89 Extra Large BYO Mobile Plan
min. cost $1,068 over 12 month plan period |
90GB | $89 | Go To Site |
| View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Unlocking your phone
Before you take your phone to a SIM-only plan, you’ll need to make sure that it’s unlocked from its original network. If you bought your device on a postpaid plan, it’s probably already unlocked, but there are exceptions. Fortunately, unlocking a device from a specific telco’s network is easier than ever; you can usually do it yourself online, provided you have your phone’s IMEI number.
To find this number, simply dial *#06# from your mobile phone. Once you’ve got this number ready, head to the website of the telco that you bought the phone from originally, or call its customer service centre. Be aware that while it’s normally free to unlock your phone, you may be asked to pay a fee for prepaid phones if you service is still relatively new.
If you have a phone from a postpaid plan with Vodafone, Telstra or Optus, you’ll generally have an unlocked phone, but it’s best to double check with the telco before you go switching SIM cards.
If you bought your device at full price directly from the manufacturer, or from a retailer such as JB HiFi, great news: your phone is unlocked out-of-the-box, and free to take to your choice of provider and plan.
Which SIM-Only plan is best for me?
So you’ve reviewed an array of SIM-only phone plans in a variety of price brackets, and now you’re ready to make a change. Before you switch, there’s still a few questions you’ll need to ask yourself to make sure you’re choosing the best SIM-only plan for your needs.
- Which phone network do I prefer? There are three phone networks in Australia – Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Smaller service providers use one or more of these networks to deliver their services. If you’re in a regional area, you might only have one or two choices of networks with coverage.
- What inclusions do I need? There is little point paying for unlimited calls and texts if you’re not going to make the most of them. Likewise, give serious thought to how much data you actually need as data inclusions is usually what brings the price up.
- What is my budget? If you’re bound by a budget like most of us, compare plans in a particular price segment, and search for the best value you can get for your money.
At the end of the day, a SIM-only plan is a great choice if you want the freedom to choose your phone, or you’re after more variety in plan offerings – the choice of which plan, however, is completely up to you!
Canstar Blue’s Customer Ratings
Featured SIM-Only Plans on this Page
| Telco | Mobile Plan | Included Data | Monthly Cost | Contract Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yomojo | 16GB Plan | 16GB | $34.90 | No contract |
| Amaysim | UNLIMITED 45GB | 45GB | $40 | No contract |
| Boost Mobile | $40 Prepaid | 30GB | $40 | No contract |
| Vodafone | $40 Combo Plus | 17GB | $40 | No contract |
| Moose Mobile | Moose 25 SIM Only 12M | 15GB | $25 | 12 months |
| Southern Phone | Green 32 | 16GB | $32 | 12 months |
| Vodafone | $45 Red SIM Only | 50GB | $45 | 12 months |
| Telstra | Large | 60GB | $69 | 12 months |
| Boost Mobile | $20 Prepaid | 5GB | $20 | No contract |
| Exetel | Extra Value 4G | 10GB | $24.99 | No contract |
| Moose Mobile | Moose 39 SIM Only | 25GB | $39 | No contract |
| Amaysim | UNLIMITED 60GB | 60GB | $50 | No contract |
| Exetel | Super Saver 4G | 2GB | $8.99 | No contract |
| Yomojo | Kid’s Phone Plan | 1GB | $9.90 | No contract |
| Amaysim | UNLIMITED 1GB | 1GB | $10 | No contract |
| Catch Connect | 3GB 30 Day Plan | 3GB | $15 | No contract |
| TeleChoice | LIVE 16 (12M) | 3GB | $16 | 12 months |
| Vodafone | $55 SIM Only Plus Plan | Unlimited (capped at 1.5Mbps after 90GB) | $55 | 12 months |
| Vodafone | $65 SIM Only Plus Plan | Unlimited (capped at 1.5Mbps after 125GB) | $65 | 12 months |
| Telstra | $69 Large BYO Mobile Plan | 60GB + unlimited 1.5Mbps data | $69 | 12 months |
| Telstra | $89 Extra Large BYO Mobile Plan | 90GB + unlimited 1.5Mbps data | $89 | 12 months |
