Why prepaid suits students
Prepaid (and month-to-month "SIM-only") deals have no lock-in contract and no credit check, so you can start straight away and stop any time. You pay for a set amount of data and days up front, and you can change provider whenever a better deal comes along.
What you'll need
- An unlocked phone. If your phone came from a carrier back home, check it isn't locked to that carrier.
- ID to activate. Australian providers must check your identity before turning on a prepaid service. A passport is usually accepted. Each provider explains its steps when you sign up.
- eSIM, if your phone supports it. Many deals below work as an eSIM, so there's no plastic SIM to wait for. Check the provider's steps: some need you to be in Australia to activate.
Best value under about $35 a month
Ranked by real cost per GB over a year, with intro prices only counted for as long as they last.
| Provider | Price | Data | Validity | Network | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swoop120GB SIM Only | $30Then $40/mth≈ $420 first year | 120GBa monthBest value | Monthly billing | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| Moose Mobile100GB SIM Only | $22Then $40/mth≈ $372 first year | 100GBa monthBest value | Monthly billing | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| TPG MobileLarge Plan 100GB | $22.50Then $45/mth≈ $405 first year | 100GBa monthBest value | Monthly billing | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| iiNet MobileLarge Plan 100GB | $22.50Then $45/mth≈ $405 first year | 100GBa month | Monthly billing | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| SpinTel100GB SIM Only | $35≈ $420 a year | 100GBa month | Monthly billing | Optus network | View plan → |
| Belong25GB SIM Only Plan | $34≈ $408 a year | 85GBa monthincl. 60GB bonus (first 12 months) | Monthly billing | Telstra Wholesale network | View plan → |
| Kogan MobileExtra Large 365 Day | $205Then $300 a year≈ $205 first year | 500GBa year | 365 days | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| Pivotel MobilePivotel Mobile 80GB | $22.50Then $45/mth≈ $405 first year | 80GBa month | Monthly billing | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| OnePass Mobile365 Days Plan $149/350GB | $149Then $200 a year≈ $149 first year | 350GBa year | 365 days | Optus network | View plan → |
| Kogan MobileLarge 365 Day | $179Then $240 a year≈ $179 first year | 400GBa yearincl. 100GB bonus | 365 days | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
Deals that include calls overseas
Want to call family back home? These deals list international calls or minutes in their inclusions. Check the provider's page for which countries are covered.
| Provider | Price | Data | Validity | Network | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpinTel200GB SIM Only | $50≈ $600 a year | 200GBa month | Monthly billing | Optus network | View plan → |
| Belong160GB SIM Only Plan | $59≈ $708 a year | 220GBa monthincl. 60GB bonus (first 12 months) | Monthly billing | Telstra Wholesale network | View plan → |
| ExetelPlus One eSIM Plan | $40≈ $487 a year | 130GBper 30 days | 30 days | Telstra Wholesale network | View plan → |
| Tangerine Telecom5G 160GB | $30Then $60/mth≈ $600 first year | 160GBa month | Monthly billing | Telstra Wholesale network | View plan → |
| LycamobileLycaPlan M | $20Then $40 per 28 days≈ $501 first year | 120GBper 28 days | 28 days | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| Aussie BroadbandPremium 180GB | $60≈ $720 a year | 180GBa month | Monthly billing | Optus network | View plan → |
| ALDI Mobile5G Mobile Plan 175GB | $59≈ $718 a year | 175GBper 30 days | 30 days | Telstra Wholesale network | View plan → |
| TPG MobileLarge Plan 100GB | $22.50Then $45/mth≈ $405 first year | 100GBa month | Monthly billing | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| iiNet MobileLarge Plan 100GB | $22.50Then $45/mth≈ $405 first year | 100GBa month | Monthly billing | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| EZEE Mobile160GB $55 | $55≈ $669 a year | 160GBper 30 days | 30 days | Telstra Wholesale network | View plan → |
eSIM deals
Set up on your phone without a physical SIM card.
| Provider | Price | Data | Validity | Network | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moose Mobile250GB SIM Only | $40Then $50/mth≈ $540 first year | 250GBa month | Monthly billing | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| Swoop250GB SIM Only | $40Then $50/mth≈ $540 first year | 250GBa month | Monthly billing | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| YomojoUltra | $49.90≈ $607 a year | 220GBper 30 days | 30 days | Optus network | View plan → |
| SpinTel200GB SIM Only | $50≈ $600 a year | 200GBa month | Monthly billing | Optus network | View plan → |
| LycamobileLycaPlan L | $50≈ $652 a year | 300GBper 28 daysincl. 150GB bonus (first 4 recharges) | 28 days | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| Belong160GB SIM Only Plan | $59≈ $708 a year | 220GBa monthincl. 60GB bonus (first 12 months) | Monthly billing | Telstra Wholesale network | View plan → |
| Swoop120GB SIM Only | $30Then $40/mth≈ $420 first year | 120GBa month | Monthly billing | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| Belong100GB SIM Only Plan | $49≈ $588 a year | 160GBa monthincl. 60GB bonus (first 12 months) | Monthly billing | Telstra Wholesale network | View plan → |
| ExetelPlus One eSIM Plan | $40≈ $487 a year | 130GBper 30 days | 30 days | Telstra Wholesale network | View plan → |
| Moose Mobile100GB SIM Only | $22Then $40/mth≈ $372 first year | 100GBa month | Monthly billing | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
Going home for the holidays?
A long-expiry deal (6 or 12 months) means you're not paying for a month while you're away. These are the best-value long-expiry options right now.
| Provider | Price | Data | Validity | Network | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kogan MobileExtra Large 365 Day | $205Then $300 a year≈ $205 first year | 500GBa year | 365 days | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| OnePass Mobile365 Days Plan $149/350GB | $149Then $200 a year≈ $149 first year | 350GBa year | 365 days | Optus network | View plan → |
| Kogan MobileLarge 365 Day | $179Then $240 a year≈ $179 first year | 400GBa yearincl. 100GB bonus | 365 days | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| Kogan MobileMedium 365 Day | $159Then $190 a year≈ $159 first year | 250GBa yearincl. 50GB bonus | 365 days | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| Coles Mobile365 Day 280GB (Promo) | $189Then $280 a year≈ $189 first year | 280GBa year | 365 days | Optus network | View plan → |
| Kogan MobileSmall 365 Day | $149Then $179.90 a year≈ $149 first year | 220GBa yearincl. 80GB bonus | 365 days | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| Lebara$250 SIM Plan | $179Then $250 a year≈ $179 first year | 260GBa year | 365 days | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
| Lebara$300 SIM Plan | $300≈ $300 a year | 425GBa year | 365 days | Vodafone/TPG network | View plan → |
Which network?
Every provider uses one of three networks: Telstra, Optus or Vodafone. In the cities all three work well for most people; if your campus or home is regional, check each network's coverage map for your suburb. Many brands on Telstra use the Telstra Wholesale network, which covers less of the country than Telstra's own.
Not sure where to start? Try "Help me choose" on the main page and Ted will pick three deals for you.