5 Best Mobile Phone Plans Australia

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There is no shortage of mobile phone plans in Australia. The country is packed with tons of telco giants that offer excellent network coverage and budget-friendly mobile plans to ease the customers. The options are endless, whether the big three telcos, like Telstra, Vodafone, and Optus, or smaller ones competing for your attention.

Regardless of the options, choosing the plan that fulfills your data and calling needs is mandatory while fitting your pocket effortlessly. Several factors might affect your choices, such as coverage, data speed, international calling, and budget.

While more expensive phone plans in Australia by default offer more inclusions and data, there is a heap of affordable options that will successfully satisfy most Aussie phone users.

So, are you planning to change your current telco provider and looking for some best options? Here’s the comprehensive guide that will walk you through the five best options for people with all budgets and preferences. Pick any of them and enjoy widespread coverage while lighter on the wallet.

Best Phone Plans in Australia

Best Overall: Amaysim

Best Value For Money: Boost Mobile

Best Bundled Plans: Mate

Best International Roaming: Vodafone Australia

Best Cheap: Circles.life


Best Australia Phone Plans

Here’s a quick rundown of the five best telco providers offering customer-oriented mobile phone plans and excellent network coverage throughout the country. Scroll down to the bottom and pick the option that syncs well with your daily requirements.

1. Best Overall: Amaysim

amaysim

The reason why we have placed Amaysim on the top is its simplicity. Rather than having long and detailed contracts, all Amaysim phone plans are prepaid and month-to-month, which means that you are not obliged to continue your plan if that doesn’t fit your budget or requirements.

What’s more, the pricing is easy to understand, and it has something for every budget.

Pros

  • Generous data promotions
  • good international call inclusions
  • Long expiry plans
  • No contracts
  • Lots of customer support
  • Unlimited data banking
  • Free SIM delivery
  • Unlimited data banking

Cons

  • Bonus data lasts for the first 1 or 3 recharges.
  • No perks or extras
  • Average customer satisfaction
  • A 28-day recharge plan means an extra recharge throughout the year.

Amaysim doesn’t come with rewards or discounts as a more budget-friendly carrier, which is an added disadvantage for those looking for extra perks. This telco provider is pretty barebones in what it offers.

Since its phone plans include international calling, Amaysim is a popular choice among ex-pats living in Australia and those who need connect friends and families in other countries.

Some of the features that make it stand out from others are:

  • International calls to keep you connected around the world. It offers international roaming and standard calls to around 42 countries.
  • Good coverage in most areas in Australia. Since it is MVNO operating on the Optus network, it reaches 98.5% population of the country.
  • This telco provider offers one of the best customer support services in Australia. You can connect with them via several modes, including call center, live chat, email, or social media.
  • Amaysim offers unlimited data banking on all its prepaid plans, letting you save data for later use.
  • It offers various forms of the plan, like 28-day expiry, long-expire, and short-term, to ease phone users.

Check the significant prepaid mobile phone plans offered by Amaysim and make an informed decision.

Amaysim Sim only mobile plans

Monthly CostDataTalk&TextInternational CallLearn More
$154GBUnlimited/View Plans »
$208GBUnlimited/View Plans »
$3032GBUnlimitedTalk&text to 28 countiesView Plans »
$4080GBUnlimitedTalk&text to 42 countiesView Plans »
$50120GBUnlimitedTalk&text to 42 countiesView Plans »

These mobile plans include unlimited standard talk and text throughout Australia. All plans are valid for personal use only and not for broadband replacement. Plan get auto-renewed every 28-days. Users can get data add-on at $10/1GB.

Long-Expiry Plans

PlansDataTalk&textInternational CallEquals to Learn More
$150/6 mth150GBUnlimitedTo 42 counties$25 for 25GB/mthView Plans
$120/1 Year60GBUnlimited / $8.25 for 5GB/mthView Plans
$200/1 Year180GBUnlimitedTo 28 counties$14.82 for 15GB/mthView Plans

These long-expiry plans are valid for six months and one year respectively, depending on the offer. All plans include unlimited talk and text to standard numbers in Australia.

The $150 plan offers unlimited international calls and texts to 42 countries while the $200 plan provides international calling to 28 countries.

Short-Term Plan

PlanDataInternational CallsLearn More
$10/7days10GBYesGo to site »

Short-term plan can be rather used as a trial or add-on. It is valid for seven days and includes unlimited international calls and texts to 42 countries.

In addition to the mobile phone plans mentioned above, users can also go for Pay As You Go plan which is available for $10 and comes with 365-day expiry.

Fore more details about Amaysim, see Amaysim Review


2. Best Value For Money: Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile Australia

The next on the list of the best phone plans Australia is Boost Mobile. It has a little bit of everything, from affordable calls to text plans to unlimited data. Boost is one of the online discount phone providers in Australia and stays relevant with excellent data plans and awesome add-ons like 5G network capability and free hotspot data. 

Unlike other MVNOs who only offer specific types of plans, Boost Mobile is specialized in providing everything you are looking for, be it powerful unlimited plans, affordable limited plans, or super-cheap text and calling plans.

Pros

  • Plenty of data plans
  • 5G compatibility
  • Extra features like free hotspot data and data rollover
  • Easy-to-understand plans

Cons

  • Data deprioritization

Boost Mobile operates on 4G and 4GX Full Telstra Mobile Network; hence, offers excellent network coverage and performance. It covers 99.5% of Australia’s population.

This network has simple, flexible phone plans that let you enjoy the freedom of prepaid. With no lock-in contracts, it allows users to switch their current plans whenever they want.

Below are mentioned some of the features that make this service provider an ideal choice for all.

  • It offers multiple price points and data values for both casual and heavy mobile internet users.
  • This telco provider offers free delivery across the country when you buy Boost SIM online.
  • All Boost mobile phone plans are available at an average of $1.44 per 1GB of data.
  • It is only one of two providers that gets the full Telstra coverage. The other one is JB Hi-Fi.
  • Boost Mobile offers excellent customer service to deal with your queries when using its mobile plans.

It boasts both short-term and long-term plans to ease the customers. Check the best phone plans offered by Boost Mobile and make a choice accordingly.

28-Day Phone Plans

PlanDataInternational Calls 
$205GBNoView Plans »
$3020GBYesView Plans »
$4030GBYesView Plans »
$5040GBYesView Plans »
$7065GBYesView Plans »

All mobile plans offer unlimited calls and texts to standard numbers. If you are looking for unlimited international calls, invest in any plan except for the basic one, that is $20.

In addition, these plans also offer 300 mins standard calls to 30 selected destinations and 300 standard text to anywhere in the world.

12 Months Plans

PlanDataInternational Calls 
$200140GB1200 mins standard calls + 1200 standard textsView Plans »
$300260GB3600 mins standard calls + 3600 standard textsView Plans »

These long-term plans offer 1200 and 3600 mins standard calls to 30 selected countries, based on your chosen plan. The credit is valid for 12 months.

Starter Plans

PlanDataInternational Calls 
$10/ 7days10GBNoGo to site »

The starter plan is crafted for a trial purpose and is available at $10 for 7 days. You can use the plan in Australia only. It offers unlimited calls and texts to standard numbers; hence ideal for new customers and foreign travelers.

Fore more details about Boost Mobile, see Boost Mobile Review


3. Best Bundled Plans: Mate

The next best telco provider to consider is Mate. The rare unicorn, this broadband provider is appreciated by Aussies. This telco provider is the best because of its undefeated customer service.

It offers premium plans at a competitive price, making it ideal for people from all walks of life.

Pros

  • Great value on high-speed plans
  • Outstanding track record
  • Competitive price
  • Best bundle packages
  • No contracts
  • 500GB of data banking
  • Excellent customer service
  • no plan change fees

Cons

  • No additional offers or perks
  • No mobile broadband or home wireless
  • Download speeds are capped at 100Mbps

MATE’s premium NBN plans are cheap without any caveats. When you sign up, you’ll pay the same amount for the life of the plan. It becomes even cheaper if you want to bundle one of MATE’s SIM-only mobile plans.

The thing that makes this provider stand out from the crowd is its premium customer service. MATE Communicate stays in touch with the customer, holding a 4.4 out of 5 average rating for customer satisfaction.

Below are some of the features that make this provider a class apart.

  • It offers the best bundle discounts, so if you are looking to bundle your mobile and internet together, MATE provides a $10 discount on your monthly internet bill.
  • It constantly keeps in touch with its customers to eradicate their queries and problems via live chat.
  • MATE believes in no commitment policy; hence, users can easily switch to new plans if they are not satisfied with the current one.

MATE is currently offering six plans, and customers can pick any of them to meet their internet and calling needs. Compare mobile phone plans offered by MATE here and check what fits your requirements in the best possible way.

PlanPriceDataInternational calls Learn More
Good Mates$20/ month10GBNoGo to site »
Better Mates$25/ month22GBYesGo to site »
Great Mates$30/ month32GBYesGo to site »
Best Mates$35/ month42GBYesGo to site »
Soul Mates$40/ month60GBYesGo to site »
Elite Mates$45/ month100GBYesGo to site »

Except for the Good Mates, all plans offer unlimited international calls and SMS to 15 selected countries. These plans come with data banking and charge no additional fee for a plan change. MATE uses part of the Telstra network that covers more than 98.8% of the population with 3G and 97% of the population with 4G.


4. Best International Roaming: Vodafone Australia

vodafone australia

Vodafone offers the best value mobile plans from the big three providers and is hard to beat on international roaming. It has always been a popular choice among Aussies, owing to great credibility and roaming options.

Vodafone mobile phone plans slide in at the top-end of the price spectrum but represent better value than Telstra Optus. All Vodafone plans are free from excess charges, which means that if you exceed allowance, you’ll be able to keep using the service at capped speeds of 2Mbps on Lite Plans and 10Mbps on Super Plans.

Pros

  • Great value
  • Best international roaming plans
  • Bundle discounts available
  • Good customer support
  • Extra perks and offers
  • Fastest network coverage

Cons

  • Less regional coverage

Vodafone’s 3G and 4G network currently reaches 96% of the population, while 5G is a bit complicated and is available in the nation’s biggest cities only. Vodafone has various channels to connect with customers regarding customer support. However, you cannot email Vodafone, and this telco provider also doesn’t offer a Live Chat feature.

Here are some of the features that make this telco service worth considering.

  • Vodafone is pretty generous when it comes to mobile perks.
  • Furthermore, Vodafone has the most affordable international roaming plans. You’ll just pay $5 per day to use your local inclusions overseas in around eight countries. Moreover, you can also use $5 roaming for up to 90 days in a calendar year.
  • It is one of the few telcos that reward you for loyalty. All Vodafone customers can save $15 per month on any NBN plan.
  • Their SIM-only plans are perfect if you already have a phone you love. Their Ultra+ Plan has unlimited mobile data at the fastest speed the Vodafone network can deliver to your phone.
  • Moreover, there’re no lock-in contracts, which means you can easily cancel your plan anytime.

Some of the best phone plans offered by Vodafone are mentioned below. Compare all the plans and make an informed choice.

Vodafone Postpaid Plans

PlanDataInfinite data speed Learn More
$40/ month40GBInfinite data in Oz at speeds of up to 2MbpsGo to site »
$45/ month80GBInfinite data in Oz at speeds of up to 2MbpsGo to site »
$50/ month200GBInfinite data in Oz at speeds of up to 10MbpsGo to site »
$60/ month300GBInfinite data in Oz at speeds of up to 10MbpsGo to site »
$65/ monthUnlimitedunlimited data at the fastest speedGo to site »

These SIM-only plans come with no excess data charges, which means you can keep using data in Oz at a speed of up to 2Mbps or 10Mbps, based on your chosen plan. If you go with Ultra+ Plan, you get unlimited mobile data at the fastest speed.

All plans include standard national calls and texts and unlimited standard international SMS.

Vodafone offers both short and long-term plans so that customers can select the option that goes well with their needs.

Vodafone Prepaid Plans

The Vodafone also provides prepaid phone plans, with with you can manage your spending without any bill shock. It with Vodafone come with both long, and short expiry terms. 

PriceDataPrepaid Plus Starter PackInternational Mins Learn More
$3040GB$30 (28 day expiry)500 mins to Zone 1Go to site »
$1550GB$40 (28 day expiry)1000 mins to Zone 1
100 mins to Zone 2
Go to site »
$5060GB$50 (28 day expiry)1500 mins to Zone 1
200 mins to Zone 2
Go to site »
$15080GB$150 (6 months expiry)/Go to site »
$150150GB$250 (12 months expiry)/Go to site »

With prepaid plans, users can enjoy infinite data at speeds of up to 1.5Mbps after you exceed the data allowance. and some plans provide standard international minutes from 500-1500 depending on the recharge tier.

All prepaid plans come with 200GB data bank.

Alternatively, you can go for Pay and Go plans available at budget-friendly rates.

Fore more details about Vodafone Australia, See Vodafone Australia Review


5.Best Cheap: Circles.life

Are you looking for cheap and budget-friendly phone plans Australia? In that case, turn to Circles.Life and enjoy the best value mobile plans in the market. It is powered by the Optus network and comes with no lock-in contracts.

Unlike most other telcos, Circles.Life offers a single base plan with unlimited talk-and-text, plus 20GB of data. However, you can add extra data to your account at any time. Recently, it has added a smaller plan alongside its original 20GB option. This alternative plan incorporates 8GB of data, plus standard unlimited national talk and text.

Pros

  • Great value
  • No lock-in contracts
  • Cheap and Affordable
  • No set-up fees
  • International calls and roaming
  • Excellent coverage

Cons

  • No extra perks

Circles.Life is an MVNO that doesn’t own or operate its mobile network. It offers a standard, SIM-Only, no-contract plan to ease the phone users. Once you are signed up for the plan, you can add a 20GB data pack monthly for an extra price of $10. The plan will automatically renew after each billing cycle and is charged to your postpaid bill.

Below are mentioned some of the features that make Circles.Life is worth giving a try.

  • It offers international calls to various countries, but is not included in your monthly plan fee. All overseas calls will be charged per minute basis, and charges will be added to your monthly bill.
  • Circles.Life offers an international roaming facility to selected countries. However, rates will vary by country, and roaming will be charged per-user. It is capped at $300 per month, and after this cap has been reached, you can contact the network provider to switch roaming back on.
  • It offers bill shock protection to the users, and hence, you will receive an extra 3GB free of charge.

Learn more about the mobile phone plans offered by Circles.Life here and pick the one that suits your pocket and needs.

PlanDataAvailability Learn More
$105GBFirst timeGo to site »
$2030GBFor the first 6 monthsGo to site »
$2550GBForeverGo to site »
$30100GBFor the first 6 monthsGo to site »

Circles.Life offers 100% satisfaction guarantee on all plans, which means that if you are convinced within 30 days, the service provider will give you a refund. All plans offer unlimited talk and text to standard numbers in Australia.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best mobile network in Australia?

Telstra is the clear winner for the best mobile network in Australia. It covers 99.5% population of Australia, with 10,700 mobile base stations across the country. Moreover, it is the fastest mobile network in Australia, operating at 102.55 Mbps. The results come from the latest Speedtest awards by Ookla, the famous website, to test the connection speeds.

What are the best mobile phone plans in Australia?

There is no specific answer for the best mobile phone plans Australia as the options depend on several factors. If you are looking for the best value phone plan, then Circles.Life might be the best bet, but if a big-data plan is your priority, invest in Vodafone to maximize benefit. In a nutshell, the best mobile phone plan is the one that meets your requirements fully while fitting your pocket.

What are the best mobile data plans in Australia?

Vodafone offers the best data plans in Australia, with 81% overall satisfaction. Its $85 Ultra plan offers maximum speed and good coverage. However, if you are looking for cheap options, you can invest in Circles.Life data plan to fulfill your needs.

What is the best phone plan provider in Australia?

Vodafone is Australia’s best phone plan provider, with 81% overall satisfaction, 77% network reliability, 75% network coverage, and 79% value for money. Vodafone 4G network is the fastest of all the Australian phone companies in city areas. Moreover, it has been named the Best Network Provider of the year by Trusted Reviews.

What is the cheapest phone plan in Australia?

Circles.Life 5GB monthly plan is the cheapest phone plan in Australia, and it comes with around 1Gb of data at $10. You can also get small plans offered by Dodo and Souther Phone at the same price, but they are not as valuable for money as Circles.Life.

Summary

So, that’s all about the best phone plans in Australia. We hope our in-depth guide will help you make an informed choice. The country is packed with loads of telecom service providers, but not all live up to the hype. Therefore, it is advised to make the best choice that meets all your phone requirements while being easy on your pocket.

All these plans mentioned above satiate different customers. If you are looking for cheap and budget-friendly, invest in Circles.Life; however, if international roaming is what you need, then go for the Vodafone Network. Whatever plan you choose, make sure it fulfills all your mobile needs and stays within your budget.

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