Top tips to reduce your mobile phone expenses

Joseph Hanlon - Editorial Director

Last updated 13 October 2022

Contents

In this guide:

Take a closer look at your plan
Be prepared to switch, again and again
Consider signing up for a Mobile Virtual Network Operator
Pay monthly and avoid contracts
Consider data-sharing plans

Are you guilty of just paying a bill without even considering if you could be cutting costs somewhere? In a world of ever-rising prices, it's now more important than ever to start putting your bills under a microscope.

Do you check your data usage recently? Are you really getting what you pay for? Could you get the same service for less money elsewhere? These are great questions to ask yourself before you just direct debit your next phone bill. So we've put together this guide designed to help you review your current monthly mobile phone costs and see how you can easily reduce your phone bills.

1. Take a closer look at your plan

Perhaps you've moved from a rural area to the city and no longer need extensive yet expensive Telstra network coverage. Or maybe you're paying for way more data than you're using.

Either way, it's time to review your previous bill and compare what you're getting with what you're using. Once you're familiar with your needs, you can start researching plans that better suit your usage and budget to score a cheap mobile phone plan.

Here are a few SIM-only mobile plans that are perfect for everyday use:

#1	SpinTel Editor's Pick	SpinTel Editor's Pick $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
#2	Dodo	Dodo Small Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $25.00/mth Min. cost $25 Go to Site	$25.00/mth Min. cost $25	Go to Site
#3	SpinTel	SpinTel $29 Mobile Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $29.00/mth Min. cost $29 Go to Site	$29.00/mth Min. cost $29	Go to Site
#4	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick Medium Mobile Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10 $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site

And here are some SIM-only mobile plans ideal for heavy users:

#1	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 23 SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Link not supplied	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Link not supplied
#2	SpinTel	SpinTel $29 Mobile Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $29.00/mth Min. cost $29 Go to Site	$29.00/mth Min. cost $29	Go to Site
#3	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick Medium Mobile Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10 $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#4	SpinTel	SpinTel $35 Mobile Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $35.00/mth Min. cost $35 Go to Site	$35.00/mth Min. cost $35	Go to Site

2. Be prepared to switch, again and again

Switching telcos seems like such a hassle but in actuality, it's very simple. Nowadays it can all be done over the phone or online - no need to even head to the shops!

The biggest pro of staying with a telco long-term is you can accumulate loyalty perks like the Telstra Plus Point system. But if you're not making the most of these perks, is it worth staying?

Switching telcos to save money truly is the secret to saving money on your phone bill. Many providers offer generous introductory deals to attract new customers, such as money off the first few months, mobile phone and internet bundling, discounts off new devices or even free subscriptions. Optus customers receive generous discounts off its Optus Sport subscription service ($24.99 per month for non-Optus customers vs $6.99 per month for Optus customers) and Vodafone customers who travel can enjoy the benefits of its $5 roaming offering, which includes calls and texts in over 100 countries.

So perhaps it's time to cash in those perks and take advantage of your newfound no-contract plan flexibility. Ask friends for recommendations and try out a few different suppliers until you find the one that gives you exactly what you want, in terms of coverage, speed and price.

3. Consider signing up for a Mobile Virtual Network Operator

In addition to point #2, let's talk about Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). MVNOs are those smaller telcos that sit under networks owned by either Telstra, Vodafone or Optus. These include Boost mobile, MATE, ALDI mobile, Lebara and many more.

MVNOs are slowly gathering more popularity among phone users with their generous, competitive pricing and growing access to Australia's 5G network. The growing list of MVNOs offering customers 5G coverage includes amaysim, SpinTel, Aussie Broadband and Southern Phone on Optus' network have also joined the crusade. Vodafone MVNOs have 5G as part of a free trial, Vodafone hasn't confirmed what will happen after the trial though.

Here are some of the most popular MVNOs in our database offering SIM-only mobile plans with competitive pricing:

#1	SpinTel Editor's Pick	SpinTel Editor's Pick $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
#2	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick Medium Mobile Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10 $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#3	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 30GB 5G Mobile SIM 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#4	Dodo	Dodo Small Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $25.00/mth Min. cost $25 Go to Site	$25.00/mth Min. cost $25	Go to Site
#5	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 23 SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Link not supplied	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Link not supplied

4. Pay monthly and avoid contracts

For many years we've been conditioned through telco deals to sign up for two-year mobile contracts, with a new phone dangled as the carrot on a string. But if you really don't need a new phone, forgo the marketing ploy and choose a month-to-month/SIM-only plan instead. When you compare SIM-only plans, not only are they more affordable to manage but they won't lock you into a telco provider for any longer than you'd like to be.

Here are a few SIM-only plans across all telcos (including the big three - Telstra, Vodafone and Optus) that are excellent value:

#1	Pivotel	Pivotel 25GB Mobile Swift Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Incl. 50% off - $11.45/mth for first 6 months, then $22.90/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply. $11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45 Go to Site	$11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45	Go to Site
#2	SpinTel Editor's Pick	SpinTel Editor's Pick $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
#3	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 23 SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Link not supplied	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Link not supplied
#4	Swoop	Swoop 30GB SIM Only 5G 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $11 off for first 6 months - $14/mth for first 6 months then $25/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#5	Pivotel	Pivotel 50GB Mobile Swift Plan 50GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Incl. 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply. $17.50/mth Min. cost $17.50 Go to Site	$17.50/mth Min. cost $17.50	Go to Site

Another great option for keeping monthly costs low is to opt for a prepaid SIM card. Prepaid SIM cards are an excellent way to keep track of your spending and monitor how long it takes you to burn through your budget.

5. Consider data-sharing plans

If your data usage can fluctuate unpredictably month-to-month, data-sharing is a great way to ensure you always have enough and that your leftover data will be used up in the slower months. Whether you share with your parents, a partner, a roommate or your whole family, you can consolidate your data to save some serious money.

For example, data-sharing with Telstra means customers can now pool data allowances from up to ten Upfront mobile or mobile broadband plans so long as they're on the same account. Data-sharing on Telstra Upfront plans is automatically included, so there's need to do anything to set it up - it just happens with all eligible devices.

While it may not seem like the most affordable pricing when you consider the whole family the savings do add up when you opt for a shared plan. Here are Telstra's SIM-only Upfront plans:

$84 Essential Upfront SIM Plan

180GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get $10 off for first 12 months on new Upfront Essential Mobile Plan. New services only. Ends 05.10.26

$74.00/mth

Min. cost $74

Link not supplied

$74.00/mth

Min. cost $74

Link not supplied

$74 Basic Upfront SIM Plan

50GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices

$74.00/mth

Min. cost $74

Link not supplied

$74.00/mth

Min. cost $74

Link not supplied

$99 Premium Upfront SIM Plan

300GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get $15 off for first 12 months on new Upfront Premium Mobile Plan. New services only. Ends 05.10.26

$84.00/mth

Min. cost $84

Link not supplied

$84.00/mth

Min. cost $84

Link not supplied

Joseph Hanlon

Editorial Director | X | LinkedIn

Joe Hanlon has been immersed in mobile phones, plans and the internet for over a decade, having written for publications like CNET, Techradar, Gizmodo and Lifehacker. He steers the editorial ship and makes sure that we are always serving up the most useful guides and recommendations. If you ever bump into Joe on the street, don't be afraid to ask for a phone recommendation. It's embarrassing how much he enjoys talking about this stuff. He also loves listening to podcasts, so feel free to email Joe with recommendations.

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