At the start of each month, our team of mobile experts analyse hundreds of plans and all the latest mobile deals in the market to find the best value plans for a wide range of categories.
There is no singular mobile plan that will work perfectly for everyone so we try to spread the love by keeping different users in mind.
Mobile network: Vodafone 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $262.5
To choose the best prepaid mobile plan, we looked at prepaid mobile plans in our database from Finder partners with a monthly cost of $35 or under. We disqualified any mobile plans with enforced speed caps. Of the plans that met those criteria, we then ranked them by our value score and went with the highest-ranking plan.
Mobile network: Optus 4G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $262.5
To choose the best SIM-only mobile plan, we looked at postpaid mobile plans from partners in our database with a monthly cost of $35 or under. Of the plans that met those criteria, we then ranked them by value score and went with the highest-ranking plan.
Mobile network: Optus 4G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $109
We looked at prepaid mobile plans on Finder with a plan length of 365-days or 12 months that cost under $150, including any promotional discounts. We then gave each plan a value score by weighting different factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $38
To choose the best mobile for high data, we looked at mobile plans in our database from Finder partners that came with 40GB of data or more. From these plans, we then ranked them by our value score, which takes into account cost per gigabyte, network coverage and plan features, and went with the highest-ranking plan.
Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $360
To award the best mobile plan on the Telstra network, we compared plans with a monthly ongoing cost of $40 or under. We then ranked the plans by our value score and selected the highest ranking plan from a Finder partner.
We know our stuff. We pour over hundreds of mobile plans every month. It's exhausting. But worth it.
You can rely on us. We're constantly updating and fact-checking our data on dozens of Aussie telcos.
We're here to help. We've helped millions of Aussies find better mobile phone plan. And we'll keep doing it.
TPG was a standout this year for the budget category because it stacks up well for price and data, especially when it's running frequent promotional offers.
SpinTel and Circles.Life topped the charts this year for offering value for money. Their plans are well-priced and come with generous data allowances.
Kogan's 365-day mobile plans are some of the best around. They offer fantastic value for money and come with Wi-Fi calling and instant eSIM setup.
The best mobile plan for you will depend on your personal preferences. Here are some of the things to consider to help get you started:
While there are dozens of mobile plan retailers, there are just 3 network operators. In order of coverage, they are Telstra (99.5%), Optus (98.5%) and TPG/Vodafone (96%).
You can check coverage in your area online before you sign up because even in metropolitan areas, there may be coverage gaps.
While a few providers offer unlimited data, most people don't need very much data at all. The average Australian uses 10.2GB a month according to the ACCC Communications Market Report.
You can use our mobile data usage calculator to get an estimate of how much data you use, but it's also a good idea to check your latest bill.
When choosing our top picks, we considered a broad range of features that are useful to have, including data rollover, Wi-Fi calling and international calls and texts.
That being said, you may just be happy with a regular plan with national calls and texts and data. If that sounds like you, don't be fooled by fancy extras and stick to a simpler plan for cheaper instead.
If you're getting a new phone on a plan, you'll need to decide how much you can afford for the repayment period. You can typically choose between 12-, 24- and 36-month repayment periods.
Keep in mind that while a 36-month repayment period will have a "smoothing" effect on your monthly bill, you may miss out on better deals that come along within that 3-year period while you stay with the same provider.
Expert tip: The next time your phone bill comes in, look at how much data you used. The average Aussie downloads just 10.2GB a month. If that’s you and you’re paying for more data than you need, it might be time to compare your options.
Dylan Crismale
Utilities writer
To select the overall winner of each category, we ranked the plans in our database via their final value score.
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I tried to move my $50 phone account from optus to telstra However after a week with Telstra , optus said i had to move it back as I had 2 years to go in my prepaid account, I moved it baxk and now optus are trying to bully me in to paying $600+ instead of $about $50, What carrier can i take my phone number to ??
Hi Stewart,
We’re not licenced to provide personal advice, so we suggest you get in touch with Optus’s customer service and dispute resolution team to work out what your next steps might be. Best of luck
Optus have offered, on a 24 month plan, a new iPhone 7 with unlimited text and national calls together with 10GB of data discounted to $45.20 per month. Is this a good deal?
Hi Roy,
Thanks for getting in touch! It’s helpful to know that when choosing a mobile plan, it should be one that fits your monthly budget and lifestyle. Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.
Best,
Nikki
Hi,
I would like to know which MVNO using full strength 4G network for voice and data. I heard that Boost is using Telstra’s full network and Virgin is using Optus. Is there any other MVNO using full strength network for both voice and data ??
Cheers!
Samy
Hi Samy,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder.
The network strength depends on different factors such as time and place. However, in terms of network coverage, the service an MVNO offers shouldn’t differ in any way at all from the service that you’d get from the underlying network provider at the same location. That makes sense because it’s the exact same network infrastructure. If there’s an outage or a reception problem with an MVNO, it’s a question of the underlying carrier’s network, not the MVNO.
We also have a list of MVNOs along with the networks they use. Please check and see if it answers your question.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
I need a new mobile phone (keeping my existing mobile number) + prepaid monthly plan to receive incoming calls from work and reply back fast and easy … as my job based on how fast I receive the messages from work and can take the shift … so coverage is important … between Caboolture, the Sunshine Coast and Bribie Island . Best/lowest price deals with fast and safe/reliable network even in rain/storm? Any suggestions? Thanks*
Hi Zita,
Thanks for your inquiry.
In terms of speed, calls, and messaging, all Australian telcos are largely using 3G networks. So we couldn’t single out who’s fast and who’s not. You may compare your phone plan using our comparison table and search filters to help narrow down your options. Please see the image below:
Once you have chosen a particular plan, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
May