It's here at last - unlimited mobile data. If you want data that never ends, Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone now all offer this type of seemingly limitless plan.
But for plans that call themselves "unlimited", they contain a surprising amount of limits. So what are the caveats, and who's got the best deal?
In this guide:
- Unlimited mobile data speed caps explained
- Vodafone unlimited data plans
- Telstra unlimited data plans
- Optus unlimited data plans
- felix unlimited data plans
- Unlimited mobile data alternatives
- FAQs about unlimited mobile data
Unlimited mobile data speed caps
There are a lot of differences we can talk about when it comes to unlimited mobile data plans, but there's one thing Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone plans have in common: a speed cap.
The speed cap is the catch that deep down you knew would come with unlimited mobile data. Every "unlimited" plan on offer comes with a large amount of full speed data and an unlimited amount of data at capped speeds. Once you use your full speed allowance, your data slows down.
Until recently these were capped at 1.5Mbps maximum download speeds across every telco, but a plan shakeup by Vodafone has seen this upped to 25Mbps in some cases - but more on that later.
While 1.5Mbps isn't super fast, it should still be fast enough to stream standard definition video, listen to music and browse the web. But you'll notice the difference, especially during peak times when speeds may be slower.
Unlimited mobile data plans compared
In the sections below, we'll go into the detail of what's on offer with Vodafone, Telstra, and Optus plans. But first, here's a quick look at how those plans compare on price:
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Vodafone unlimited mobile data plans
Vodafone was an early mover when it comes to unlimited data, and a recent plan refresh has seen it change the game again.
Where Red Plus plans with the provider would see download speeds slowed to 1.5Mbps after you exhausted your regular data allowance, the new Infinite Data plans have caps of 2Mbps, 10Mbps, and 25Mbps instead.
The more you pay each month, the more included data you get in return as well as a higher maximum download speed once you run out.
Here are Vodafone's SIM only Infinite Data plans:
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And here are some of today's most popular handsets that you can get on a Vodafone Infinite Data plan:
iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB
- 6.7 inch display
- 12MP camera
- Apple iOS
iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB
- 6.7 inch display
- 12MP camera
- Apple iOS
If you're getting a handset from Vodafone, your plan is no-contract on the basis that there are no early exit fees. You can leave at any time by paying out the remaining value of your handset.
When you sign up for a plan, you can also choose to pay off your phone over 12, 24 or 36 months, which can soften the monthly financial blow if you're getting a high-end handset, which are increasingly coming in at $1,500 a pop, or more.
Along with unlimited mobile data, most of Vodafone's unlimited data plans also include:
- Vodafone's famous $5 roaming
- Unlimited texts overseas
- A generous amount of international call minutes to selected destinations
You can also bundle SIM cards together on one account for a discount of up to 20% on your bill. Bundled plans can share data from a communal data pool, but Infinite Data speeds can't be shared with other SIMs.
Vodafone prepaid plans now also have unlimited data for when you go over your allowance, capped at speeds of 1.5Mbps.
Telstra unlimited mobile data plans
These days, every postpaid plan from Telstra has "unlimited mobile data". This is great news for Big T customers, not just because it means unlimited access to the web on the go, but also because it means no more excess data charges. Nice.
Here's Telstra's SIM only range:
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And here are some of today's most popular handsets that you can get on a plan from Telstra with no excess data fees:
iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB
- 6.7 inch display
- 12MP camera
- Apple iOS
iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB
- 6.7 inch display
- 12MP camera
- Apple iOS
On top of the unending supply of data, Telstra's plans come with a bunch of fancy inclusions. First and foremost is access to Telstra's super-fast 4GX network, and 5G connectivity for customers on the $65 per month Medium plan or better.
Of course, the extra speed won't do you any good if you exceed your data cap.
Plans are also all contract-free and offer the option to step up or down between plan tiers once per month. If you get a plan with a phone, it's contract-free on the basis that if you want to leave, you can do so at any time without penalty. You just need to pay out any remaining value on your device.
Telstra lets you pay off your phone over 12 or 24 months.
You also get data-free streaming of Apple Music, free unmetered access to AFL, AFLW, NRL, Netball and Football live apps, and access to Telstra Air - the telco's nationwide network of WiFi hotspots.
Optus unlimited mobile data plans
Optus now offers unlimited data across its range of postpaid mobile plans. As with Telstra, if you go over your data allowance, you'll be capped to speeds of 1.5Mbps.
Here's Optus' range of SIM-only plans:
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And here's a selection of devices available from Optus:
Moto G8 Power Lite
- 6.5 inch display
- 16MP camera
- Android
In addition, most Optus mobile plans come with:
- Free access to Optus Sport
- Discounted movie tickets for Hoyts cinemas through the Optus Perks program
You'll miss out on Optus Sport if you go for Optus' cheapest plan, however.
All Optus plans are contract-free, devices can be paid off across 12, 24, or 36 months, and you can customise inclusions like roaming and international calls on a month-to-month basis.
Higher-end Optus plans also come with unlimited international calls to selected destinations as a standard feature, as well as a monthly allocation of roaming data for use overseas.
Optus also has a second unlimited data offer dubbed Unlimited Data Day. You can pay $5 to get unlimited data for 24 hours with no speed restrictions.
The Unlimited Data Day Add-on is available to Optus customers on postpaid plans and prepaid customers on a recharge worth at least $30. It can be purchased through the My Optus app. While Optus typically plans support data sharing, the unlimited data add-on cannot be shared. It can only be used in Australia.
Working or studying from home?
If you're relying on your home internet connection for work or study, but don't think it's up to scratch, it might seem that a plan with unlimited mobile data is a neat solution. However, these plans may not be suited to work or study from home, due to speed restrictions on unlimited data downloads.
A better solution might be an internet dongle or pocket WiFi hotspot, or a home wireless broadband plan. Or see our guide to best NBN speeds to work from home.
felix unlimited mobile data plans
Vodafone-owned MVNO felix has just a single plan, but it has unlimited data. There is a catch, however. Your download and upload speeds are capped to 20Mbps. That's just a little bit slower than an NBN 25 plan. 20Mbps is fast enough to peruse social media, stream in HD, listen to music - pretty much all the main things you use your phone for. It should also be fast enough to download apps on the go and tether to your phone in a punch. It's not quite fast enough to replace a home internet connection for most, however.
felix's plan will set you back $35 per month and also includes unlimited talk and text.
felix mobile felix $35 Subscription
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| Data | Unlimited Data speed cap: 20Mbps |
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Unlimited mobile data alternatives
The big three telcos are currently your only option on the Australian market if you're looking for unlimited mobile data. But if their plans don't suit you, that doesn't mean there are no alternatives.
The price of data on mobile plans is getting cheaper all the time, especially if you're looking at SIM only plans. And while most plans don't come with endless data, they do come with some big data allowances - so big, you might never find yourself exceeding your cap. And if you're prepared to look beyond the big three mobile providers, you can find some truly huge data allowances at very reasonable prices.
Here's a look at a few of the most popular SIM only mobile plans in our database that come with at least 40GB, which should be way more than enough for most mobile users.
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Telstra 
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Circles.Life 
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Belong 
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TPG 
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If you don't want to compare every plan yourself, check out our editor's picks for the best mobile plans this month. Or if you're wondering how much data you might need on your plan, see our guide on the data usage of popular mobile apps.
FAQs about unlimited mobile data
Why do telcos put speed limits on unlimited data plans?
It may seem disappointing, but including a fixed amount of truly fast data each month is an easy way for the big telcos to offer "unlimited" connectivity, while still maintaining some control over a customer's data use.
It's a move that's similar to the strategies employed by American mobile networks, who will "deprioritise" unlimited data users who exceed a certain number of gigabytes each month - usually upwards of 22GB. These customers may experience noticeably slower speeds during busy periods, or at locations where there is heavier-than-usual network traffic.
Can I share my unlimited data on a data sharing or family plan?
Vodafone allows you to share your high speed data allowance on a plan with "data that never ends" with family members on the same billing account, provided they're also on a plan with "endless data". These plans are referred to as "Red Plus" plans or "Infinite Data" plans. "Plus" or "Infinite" data can only be shared with other plans in this category, while standard plans can only share data with other standard plans. Most Vodafone postpaid plans now have endless or infinite data, however.
Vodafone customers with multiple plans on the same account also benefit from a discount. Vodafone will knock 5% off your total monthly bill for every service you have on your account after the first, up to a maximum discount of 20% if you have five services. This also includes Vodafone NBN plans.
Only Telstra small business plans still have data sharing. Customers on Telstra's personal range of plans aren't able pool their data or get a family plan.
If you're sharing your data allowance on Optus, all services on your account will be capped to 1.5Mbps after the shared pool is exhausted.
Can I use my data overseas?
More Vodafone fine print: while the new unlimited plans still give you access to $5 roaming, you're only able to use your plan's capped "maximum speed" data when overseas - slowed-down unlimited data isn't accessible when roaming.
If you exceed your "maximum speed data" when using $5 roaming, you'll be billed an extra $5 for each gigabyte of data you use. This extra data can only be used when roaming in eligible countries, and will rollover for one billing month.
Telstra customers have to rely on Day Pass roaming while overseas. For $10 per day, you get unlimited talk and text and 200MB of data. Note these inclusions expire at midnight AEST. Your local inclusions - including your data allowance - are irrelevant when travelling.
Optus' Unlimited Data Day add-on can only be used in Australia, and Optus' unlimited data at 1.5Mbps also only works locally.
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