- What are the best cheap prepaid SIM cards?
- Where can I find cheap prepaid SIM cards in Australia?
- What are the best cheap prepaid SIM cards with long expiry?
- What are the best cheap prepaid SIM cards with PAYG?
- What are the best cheap prepaid SIM cards with short expiry?
- Are there any cheap prepaid SIM card plans with unlimited data?
- Do Optus, Vodafone, and Telstra sell cheap prepaid SIM cards?
- How to compare cheap SIM cards plans
The cheapest prepaid SIM cards in Australia depend on what your coverage, connectivity and data requirements look like.
If you want to opt for the Optus network instead, the cheapest option is likely to be Yomojo’s 29GB Start Plan, which comes with 29GB of data at speeds of up to 150Mbps per recharge and a $12.45 price for the first six recharges. If you bring your number along when you activate this plan, you’ll also get the first 30-day recharge for just $1.
The cheapest prepaid SIM card on the Vodafone network is the Lyca Unlimited Plan S. This plan comes with 50GB of data at speeds of up to 100Mbps, unlimited international calls to 35 selected countries, a 500GB data bank and a discounted price of $15 per recharge for the first six months.
|
Lyca Mobile
Editor's Pick
Unlimited Plan S
$15.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
Finally, if you’re looking for the cheapest prepaid SIM card with Telstra network coverage, you’re looking at the $23 Mobile Plan from ALDI Mobile. This prepaid SIM card comes with 12GB of data at speeds of up to 100Mbps, 30-day expiry, and data rollover if you enable automatic top-up. Regardless of which provider you settle on, a cheap prepaid SIM card is a great way to stay connected while keeping your costs low.
|
ALDI mobile
$28 Mobile Plan
$28.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
If none of those picks fit the bill, we have a few other picks that might suit. We’ve rounded up the cheapest prepaid SIM cards in our database of 32 mobile providers to find the best mobile plan to suit your needs, including monthly and long-expiry options.
To help you find the right SIM for your situation, we've broken our picks for the best options by price and expiry. Use this guide to compare recharge value across a range of cheap prepaid SIM cards that you can order online or buy in person the next time you're out and about.
For the purposes of this guide, we’re going to define ‘cheap’ as a prepaid SIM card plan that costs you less than $25 per month. While affordability and value are somewhat subjective, the in-market reality is that if you’re spending more than $25 per month then a postpaid plan may well offer you a lot more bang for your buck.
If you’re a tourist visiting Australia and you only need a few days of coverage, we’ve also included a round-up of the best cheap prepaid SIM card plans with short-term expiry. Meanwhile, those looking to buy in bulk when it comes to their mobile connectivity will be better served by our round-up of the best cheap prepaid SIM cards available with unlimited or long expiry. Finally, for those who want to set and forget, we’ve got a round up of the cheap prepaid SIM cards with unlimited data.
But before we get into all the details, it’s worth covering the basics. Check out the video below for a quick rundown on the best cheap prepaid SIM cards in Australia and whether there is a catch.
Presented by: Anula Wiwatowska - WhistleOut telco expert:
Have you ever seen a deal so good that you just know there's something wrong with it?
When it comes to buying things from Temu or Shein, it's normally pretty obvious. But with things like phone plans, it can be hard to figure out how they make them so cheap.
In this video we're going to look at cheap prepaid phone plans. And we're going to show you how to find the catch so that you don't get caught out.
I'm Anula, your local telco nerd for WhistleOut Australia. Don't forget to like, subscribe and comment! So the next time you need advice on your phone and internet plan, you know where to find me. Are you ready? Let's go.
First, let's take a look at what makes a prepaid plan different to a postpaid plan.
The most obvious difference is when you pay for it. A prepaid plan you will pay before you use your inclusions and a postpaid plan. You'll get a bill afterwards.
A postpaid plan is ultimately a mini loan.
Your telco checks your credit to find out if you're likely to pay your phone bill or not. And if you do, then great. They let you sign up, but if not, you might be out of luck.
While prepaid plans are more straightforward, you pay your money first. You get your inclusions. You use them. Simple.
if you're scrolling through phone plans. One of the first things you'll notice is that prepaid plans are significantly cheaper than postpaid plans, and that might make you think that they're worse, but they're not.
Prepaid plans use the same networks.
They have the same kinds of inclusions. They are contract free, and they're widely available.
They might not have bonuses like cheap movie tickets built into the price, and you can't pair them with a phone repayment plan. But prepaid plans have everything that you need to stay connected.
But there are two potential catches that you might need to look out for.
Deal pricing and expiry length.
Discounts on phone plans are really common with postpaid plans. They tend to last between 3 to 6 months, while with prepaid plans, those discounts can last as little as one month.
And a lot of the time, that first month will also come with a big chunk of bonus data.
While a plan like this one from Optus might look like you get 45 gigabyte per month for $13, once the discounts and the bonuses expire in three months, you're actually left paying $39 for 25 gigabyte.
Luckily, because prepaid plans are contract free and don't require a credit check. It's relatively low stakes to leave if you get duped by one.
You can simply switch to another plan without paying an exit fee or compromising your credit score.
Now, the other catch that you need to look out for is plan expiry length.
While postpaid plans are billed by calendar month. Prepaid plans expire at different rates.
Plans can be valid for as little as three days, all the way up to 365 days, but 28 days is the most common.
If you're doing the math on your yearly plan price, then you might be tempted to just take 28 days and times it by 12 to get the full year. But that would be wrong.
Make sure that you're covered for the full 364 days in a normal year, you actually need to times that 28 day price by 13.
That sneaky extra month could be enough to topple your budget if you're not careful.
So yes, cheap prepaid plans can come with a catch. But now you know what to look for so that you can cheat the system.
Make sure you look for discounts and bonus data deals that last for more than just a month or two, and double check your plans expiry so that you don't get caught out.
If you want to see our picks for the best prepaid deals this month, take a look in the caption because I've dropped a link for you.
If you've been looking to get a cheaper prepaid deal, this is a really good place to start.
We update it every month, so you can always come back and take a look when you're ready to make the next switch.
I'm Anula, your local telco nerd for WhistleOut Australia. If there's something that you need help with or something that you want to know about phone and internet plans, drop it in the comments and who knows, it might just be our next video.
Thanks for watching and I'll see you next time. Bye.
What are the best cheap prepaid SIM cards?
At the time of writing, there are four providers that use the Optus network and sell cheap prepaid SIM cards under $25: Optus, Amaysim, Yomojo, and Coles Mobile.
|
#1
|
OnePass mobile
28 Day Plan - 22GB
$12.50
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Yomojo
Starter 29GB Plan
$24.90
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Coles Mobile
Prepaid $25 for 28 Days
$25.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
amaysim
UNLIMITED 15GB Plan
$30.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
All told, there are some decent prepaid SIM cards for under $25 that use the Optus network. As long as you're not a heavy data user then this price point could cover all your needs, and as far as coverage goes, the Optus network is the second-largest in Australia.
Optus' network covers 99.1% of the Australian population, and its 5G network is a little smaller at 94.5% of the population. In terms of physical size, the Optus network spans approximately 1.2 million square kilometres. For a sense of how it compares to Vodafone and Telstra, check out the table below.
| Network | 4G coverage | 5G coverage | Network Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telstra network* | N/A | N/A | 2.14 mil square km |
| Telstra Wholesale network | N/A | N/A | 1.4 mil square km |
| Optus network | 99.1% | 94.5% | 1.2 million square km |
| Vodafone network | 99% | 94.5% | 1.2 million square km |
Numbers shown are a percentage of the Australian population.
*Telstra no longer provides population-based coverage figures. Boost Mobile is the only Telstra MVNO with access to the full Telstra network.
At the time of writing, there are five providers that use the Vodafone network and sell cheap prepaid SIM cards under $25: Lyca, iiNet, TPG, Kogan, and Lebara. As seen in the widget above, there are some pretty cheap prepaid SIM card plans for under $25 on the Vodafone network.
|
#1
|
Lyca Mobile
Editor's Pick
Unlimited Plan S
$15.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
iiNet
30GB Small Plan
$15.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
TPG
Editor's Pick
30GB Small Plan
$15.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Kogan Mobile
Small Monthly Plan
$23.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
|
|
#5
|
Lebara Mobile
$25 SIM Plan
$25.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
felix mobile
felix 25GB Mobile Plan
$30.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
While sometimes thought of as a lesser network, Vodafone now covers 99% of the Australian population thanks to its network-sharing agreement with Optus. Vodafone's 5G network is the same size as Optus', however, covering 94.5% of the population.
At the time of writing, there are three providers that use the Telstra network and sell cheap prepaid SIM cards under $25: Everyday Mobile, ALDI Mobile, and Superloop.
|
#1
|
Everyday Mobile
Pre-paid Mobile $25 Recharge
$25.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Superloop
SuperSim Saver 4G Plan
$25.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
|
|
#3
|
ALDI mobile
$28 Mobile Plan
$28.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Boost Mobile
$28 Prepaid
$28.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
#5
|
EZEE Mobile
29GB Mobile SIM Plan
$29.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
While these prepaid plans are competitive, it’s worth knowing that they don’t come with access to the entire Telstra network. Instead, they’re powered by the slightly-smaller Telstra Wholesame network.Telstra's network used to cover 99.7% of the population, while its Wholesale Network covered a bit less at 98.8%. These numbers would have shrunk per new coverage reporting rules, and Telstra has not provided updated figures. In terms of physical size, Telstra says its Wholesale Network covers 1.4 million square kilometres.
Where can I find cheap prepaid SIM cards in Australia?
While cheap prepaid SIM cards can be found in supermarkets, post-offices and newsagents across Australia, the fastest way to get your hands on one these days is via online. Many prepaid SIM card providers now offer eSIM, which means you can get connected sooner rather than later.
At the time of writing, there are a total of twelve mobile providers in our database that sell cheap prepaid SIM cards under $25. Here is a table showing each provider on the list and which network they use.
| Provider | Optus | Telstra | Vodafone |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALDI Mobile | |||
| Amaysim | |||
| Coles Mobile | |||
| Everyday Mobile by Woolworths | |||
| iiNet | |||
| Kogan Mobile | |||
| Lebara | |||
| Lyca Mobile | |||
| Optus | |||
| Superloop | |||
| TPG | |||
| Yomoji |
What are the best cheap prepaid SIM cards with long expiry?
The best value cheap prepaid SIM cards with long expiry are available through Lyca Mobile, Kogan Mobile or OnePass Mobile. These three providers offer competitive prepaid SIM cards with long expiry, but the best one for your individual situation is going to depend on how much data you expect to use and which mobile network is going to offer you the best coverage.
|
#1
|
OnePass mobile
365 Day Plan - 200GB
$149.00
Per 365 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Kogan Mobile
Small - 365 Day Flex Plan
$149.00
Per 365 Day Renewal
|
|
#3
|
Lyca Mobile
Medium - Long Expiry Plan
$150.00
Per 360 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Coles Mobile
Prepaid $220 for 365 Days
$169.00
Per 365 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Kogan Mobile
Large - 365 Day Flex Plan
$179.00
Per 365 Day Renewal
|
|
#6
|
Lebara Mobile
$250 SIM Plan - 365 Days
$179.00
Per 365 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
In any case, if you need a little credit to go a long way then these long expiry prepaid plans are going to be a great fit since recharges can last as long as 360 to 365 days.
Most prepaid long expiry SIM cards come with unlimited talk and text, plus a data allowance. But beware, if you use up your data too quickly, you run the risk of needing to add on extra inclusions or you’ll be without internet until your next recharge.
What are the best cheap prepaid SIM cards with PAYG?
If you’re looking for the best value option when it comes to cheap prepaid SIM cards with PAYG, you’re probably looking at Amaysim’s As You Go plan, which features the cheapest rates on data, texts and calls.
Pay As You Go (PAYG) plans are a type of cheap prepaid SIM card that lets you only pay for what you use. Rather than get an allotment of calls, texts, and data in advance based on your plan, you’ll get an allocation of credit. That means if you recharge with $20, you have $20 of credit.
You're then billed at PAYG rates for talk, text and data until your credit runs out or expires, whichever happens first. However, PAYG prepaid plans aren’t common these days, and we’d only recommend one if you barely use your phone or barely need data (we're talking megabytes or less per month). Except for very niche situations, they're far more expensive than any other type of mobile plan.
Only three providers in Australia still offer cheap prepaid SIM cards with PAYG: Amaysim, Vodafone, and ALDI Mobile.
| Provider | Cost per call | Cost per SMS | Cost per MMS | Cost per MB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALDI Mobile | 15c | 15c | 35c | 6c |
| Amaysim | 12c | 12c | 35c | 5c |
| Vodafone | 20c | 20c | 35c | 6c |
SOURCES
1. ALDI Mobile "Critical Information Summary" (April 2026)
2. Amaysim "Critical Information Summary" (November 2022)
3. Vodafone "Critical Information Summary" (April 2026)
Plans sold as a 28-day recharge mean you'll pay 13 times per year, as opposed to 12 times with a 30-day expiry. The difference can be small, but it can make a difference if you're looking for the cheapest prepaid SIM card possible."
Alex Angove-Plumb, Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut
What are the best cheap prepaid SIM cards with short-term expiry?
The best value cheap prepaid SIM card with short-term expiry is either going to be available through Optus or Boost Mobile, depending on your data and coverage needs.
|
#1
|
amaysim
7-day UNLIMITED 10GB Plan
$10.00
Per 7 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Boost Mobile
$14 Prepaid
$14.00
Per 7 Day Renewal
|
|
#3
|
Vodafone
$13 Prepaid Plus Recharge
$13.00
Per 7 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
If you only need a cheap SIM card for a few days or weeks, a short-term expiry prepaid SIM card like the one above could be all you need. These prepaid SIMs come with 1–10 days of charge and often include unlimited nationwide talk and text in addition to a small amount of data. They also work as a good SIM card option for tourists visiting Australia for short trips.
"Some initial bonuses won't last beyond your first recharge. If you're planning to keep your prepaid SIM for a while you should look at both the long and short-term recharge value. For the best long-term value, look for plans that offer data rollover, so you can hang onto any data you don't use during the recharge period."
Dylan Crismale, Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut
Are there any cheap prepaid SIM cards with unlimited data?
Unlimited data isn’t particularly common in prepaid SIM cards, but there are a few options available.
At the time of writing, just two providers fit the bill in the form of Vodafone and Felix. Since both rely on the same network, there’s not too much of a difference when it comes to coverage between the two.
|
#1
|
felix mobile
felix 25GB Mobile Plan
$30.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#2
|
Vodafone
$40 Prepaid Plus Recharge
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
While these plans come with a standard data allowance, you won’t be kicked off the Vodafone network once you’ve exhausted. Instead, you’ll stay connected at a slower speed of 1.5Mbps. That’s not going to be fast enough for data-intensive applications, but it should be enough to help you stay connected.
The main downside of these plans is that they are relatively expensive when compared to other cheap prepaid SIM cards. However, depending on your individual budget and coverage requirements, that might not be a dealbreaker.
Do Optus, Vodafone, and Telstra sell cheap prepaid SIM cards?
If you're keen to stick with Australia's "big three" mobile providers, you've still got some decent options. Even if these prepaid SIM cards aren't quite as cheap as what their MVNO counterparts offer, they're still usually cheaper than a postpaid plan would be through either Optus, Vodafone, or Telstra.
Cheap Optus prepaid SIM cards
Optus spoils you for choice when it comes to cheap prepaid SIM cards with unlimited calls and text. You can even get access to 5G on prepaid. From a seven-day recharge all the way up to 365, Optus prepaid SIM cards give you flexibility – and you're able to roll over any unused data into your next recharge (up to 200GB). All you need to do is work out how much data you use and choose a SIM card that suits your needs.
Optus prepaid SIM plans also give you the option of accessing a number of extras through the My Optus app, a $5 Unlimited Data Day add-on, $5 International Roaming, $20 Data Roaming, $10 Travel Credit and more.
Cheap Vodafone prepaid SIM cards
|
#1
|
Vodafone
$13 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack
$13.00
Starter Pack
7 Day Expiry
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Vodafone
$50 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack
$17.00
Starter Pack
28 Day Expiry
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Vodafone
$40 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack
$40.00
Starter Pack
28 Day Expiry
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Vodafone
$60 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack
$60.00
Starter Pack
28 Day Expiry
Link not supplied
|
Vodafone's SIM-only plans offer plenty of range. These include 28, 185, and 365-day expiry options.
Vodafone prepaid SIM cards have access to the Vodafone 4G and 5G networks (so long as you're in a 5G coverage area) unlimited standard national calls and texts, and unlimited data. Vodafone calls this 'infinite data'. Once your included data is used up, your speed is reduced to 1.5Mbps until your next recharge. Vodafone also has data banking up to 200GB and a $5 discount when you opt-in for automatic recharge.
Cheap Telstra prepaid SIM cards
|
#1
|
Telstra
$44 Pre-Paid Mobile
$44.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
$54 Pre-Paid Mobile
$54.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
$64 Pre-Paid Mobile
$64.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Telstra
$74 Pre-Paid Mobile
$74.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Telstra
$200 Pre-Paid Mobile Plan
$200.00
Per 6 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Telstra
$395 Pre-Paid Mobile Plan
$395.00
Per 12 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
|
Want to connect to the Telstra network with a prepaid SIM card? You’ve got a range to choose from when it comes to prices and data allowances, as well as recharge time frames to suit your budget and data needs. This includes seven and 28-day expiry as well as six-month and 12-month expiry options.
A Telstra prepaid SIM card will give you access to the Telstra network, as well as unlimited calls and texts to standard Australian numbers. Its prepaid plans can access 4G and 5G, but have a maximum speed of 150Mbps (still plenty for almost any user). You can also rollover your unused data (up to 200GB) if you recharge before the expiry date. You can choose to get your Telstra prepaid SIM plan with a physical SIM card or eSIM.
How to compare cheap SIM only plans
Comparing cheap prepaid SIM cards isn’t as simple as going with whatever is cheapest, but price is usually a good place to start. It might sound counterintuitive but if you're looking to save money on your monthly mobile bill, it helps to know how much you're looking to spend to begin with.
Once you've got a figure in mind, the smartest way to start is by winnowing your initial list down by comparing your options. Not every plan offers the same amount of value, and not every consumer has the same needs when it comes to connectivity.
A good place to start here is by taking a given cheap prepaid SIM card and comparing it to its closest competitor on either the Optus, Vodafone, or Telstra network. For instance, the cheapest prepaid SIM card on the Vodafone network is the Lyca Unlimited Plan S. This plan comes with 50GB of data at speeds of up to 100Mbps, unlimited international calls to 35 selected countries, a 500GB data bank and a discounted price of $15 per recharge for the first six months.
Vodafone’s cheapest prepaid plan is technically cheaper at just $13. However, that plan only comes with 7-day expiry so the closest competitor really would be the provider’s $40 Prepaid Plus plan. Even if you save some money by picking up a Starter Kit with a discounted price, you’re looking at a whole lot more over the long run. Over the course of a year, the Lyca Unlimited Plan S would cost you $270 (excluding promo pricing) while the Vodafone’s alternative would cost you over $400. Again, that doesn’t take into account promotional pricing, the amount of data that each plan offers or the extra utility that excess-charge free data found in Vodafone’s plan brings to the table. All the same, it’s a good example of how little plan differences can add up into a larger one when it comes to the total cost.
The best way to avoid paying more is to ask the right questions. What coverage do you want? How much data do you need? Are you happy to settle for a shorter 30-day expiry window or would you rather lock-in for the long-term with a cheap SIM only plan that covers your next year of connectivity. These are all questions that you should ask and things you should consider when comparing cheap prepaid SIM cards.
Ultimately, if all you're after is unlimited talk and text in Australia, the good news is that cheap prepaid SIM plans include both. Unfortunately, things aren't so simple when it comes to things like international calls and roaming. Another thing to watch out for is 5G connectivity. While many prepaid plans now include access to the faster speeds made possible by 5G, it's far from a universal inclusion. Some providers will only include it on more expensive plans while others will cap your connectivity with a speed limit of one sort or another.
If that’s a lot to consider, then zooming out and deciding which mobile network you desire is a good way to simplify this process. Once you’ve chosen between a cheap prepaid SIM card on either the Vodafone, Telstra, or Optus networks, your list of possible options is going to get smaller and more manageable.
If you're looking for more information or options for your prepaid SIM, check out our Editor's pick: Best prepaid plans.
If you're interested in other affordable options that aren't prepaid SIM cards, see our guide on cheap mobile phone plans.
Fergus Halliday
Digital Content Editor
