In Australia, unlimited data mobile plans are typically best thought of as plans with no excess charges. If you go over your primary data allowance, you'll be relegated to a much slower internet speed instead of paying for extra data.
If you want data that never ends, then feast your eyes on the glory of unlimited data mobile plans. Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, felix, Belong, Dodo, and Aussie Broadband all offer this type of seemingly limitless plan, but for plans that call themselves "unlimited", they contain a surprising amount of limits.
We'll go into more detail next, but here's a quick look at some SIM-only mobile plans free from excess charges:
|
#1
|
Dodo
Small Mobile Plan
$25.00/mth
Min. cost $25
|
|
#2
|
felix mobile
felix 25GB Mobile Plan
$30.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#3
|
Aussie Broadband
Saver 5G SIM Plan
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $30
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Belong
25GB Mobile Plan
$34.00/mth
Min. cost $34
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
#6
|
Vodafone
$40 Prepaid Plus Recharge
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
Telstra
$84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan
$74.00/mth
Min. cost $74
Link not supplied
|
Unlimited mobile data speed caps
The one thing all unlimited data mobile plans have in common is a speed cap.
The speed cap is the catch you knew would come with unlimited mobile data. Every "unlimited" plan comes with a healthy amount of full-speed data and an additional unlimited data amount available at a much slower speed. Once you use your full speed allowance, your data slows down.
At full speed, you should comfortably be able to get mobile speeds of at least 100Mbps in good coverage areas. When you run out of full-speed data, your speeds on plans will be capped at around 1.5Mbps.
1.5Mbps seems slow, but it should be fast enough to stream standard-definition video, listen to music and browse the web. You will notice the difference, however, especially during peak times when speeds may be even slower.
Dodo's speed cap is a much slower 256Kbps, however. This is too slow for video, but it should be okay for browsing and music streaming.
The exception is felix mobile. felix mobile has a truly unlimited data plan, but the speeds are limited to 40Mbps the entire time.
Here's how all unlimited mobile data plans in Australia compare on full-speed data and speed caps:
| Plans | Network | Full-speed data | Unlimited data capped speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belong postpaid plans | Telstra | Limited | 1Mbps |
| Dodo postpaid plans | Optus | Limited | 256Kbps |
| Telstra Upfront plans | Telstra | Limited | 1.5Mbps |
| Optus postpaid plans | Optus | Limited | 1.5Mbps |
| Vodafone prepaid plans | Vodafone | Limited | 1.5Mbps |
| Vodafone postpaid plans | Vodafone | Limited | 2Mbps |
| felix prepaid plans | Vodafone | Limited | 1.5Mbps |
| felix unlimited mobile plan | Vodafone | None | 40Mbps |
| Aussie Broadband postpaid plans | Optus | Limited | 1.5Mbps |
To compare network coverage, tap the button below:
Unlimited mobile data plans compared
We'll look at what's on offer with plans from providers offering unlimited mobile data below, but first, here's a quick look at how those plans compare in price.
These are unlimited mobile data plans (with a primary data allowance of at least 20GB) compared by price:
|
#1
|
Dodo
Small Mobile Plan
$25.00/mth
Min. cost $25
|
|
#2
|
Dodo
Editor's Pick
Medium Mobile Plan
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
|
#3
|
felix mobile
felix 25GB Mobile Plan
$30.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#4
|
felix mobile
felix 50GB Mobile Plan
$35.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#5
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
#6
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
#7
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
#8
|
Dodo
Large Mobile Plan
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $20
|
|
#9
|
Vodafone
$58 Small SIM Only Plan
$45.00/mth
Min. cost $45
|
|
#10
|
Vodafone
$68 Medium SIM Only Plan
$50.00/mth
Min. cost $50
|
“There's no point in paying for more data than you're using. While there are plenty of mobile plans that offer 100GB or more, don't be tempted by big numbers. The average Aussie on a postpaid mobile plan only uses around 18GB each month. If your usage is similar, paying for more data is wasting money.
When you're looking for a new mobile plan, work out your current usage, maybe add on a few extra gigabytes so you have a comfortable buffer, and find a plan that matches that.”
Alex Choros, Managing Editor WhistleOut
felix unlimited data mobile plans
Vodafone-owned MVNO, felix, has just three plans, all with unlimited data. Two have a primary data allowance, with unlimited data at capped speeds of 1.5Mbps if you go over your limit. The more expensive $40 per month plan genuinely has unlimited data, but download and upload speeds are capped at 40Mbps. That's just a little bit slower than an NBN 50 plan.
Here are felix's mobile plans:
|
#1
|
felix mobile
felix 25GB Mobile Plan
$30.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#2
|
felix mobile
felix 50GB Mobile Plan
$35.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#3
|
felix mobile
felix Unlimited Mobile Plan
$40.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#4
|
felix mobile
felix Unlimited+ Mobile Plan
$50.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
One important thing to be aware of with the felix unlimited data plan is that there is no full-speed data allowance. 40Mbps is, however, fast enough to surf social media, stream in high definition, and listen to music - pretty much all the main things you do on your phone. It's also fast enough to download apps on the go and tether to your phone in a pinch.
While this plan has pretty reasonable download speeds, felix specifically says its unlimited mobile plan isn't a broadband replacement. You could comfortably tether with felix's unlimited data, but you could find yourself in breach of the telco's fair use policy if you're doing so every day.
Belong unlimited data mobile plans
Telstra's budget brand, Belong, is one of the few small telcos to ditch excess fees on its mobile plans. Belong's SIM-only plans feature unlimited mobile data at capped speeds of 1Mbps for when you go over your primary allowance.
Here are Belong's SIM-only plans with unlimited data:
|
#1
|
Belong
25GB Mobile Plan
$34.00/mth
Min. cost $34
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Belong
40GB Mobile Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Belong
100GB Mobile Plan
$49.00/mth
Min. cost $49
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Belong
160GB Mobile Plan
$59.00/mth
Min. cost $59
Link not supplied
|
Belong's SIM-only plans also include unlimited data banking, so you can roll over any unused data for a month where you go over your primary allowance. You'll use your banked data before swapping over to capped 1Mbps data. Alternatively, you can gift your unused data to other Belong customers in 1GB instalments, up to five times per month.
Dodo unlimited data mobile plans
Dodo is one of the few smaller providers on the Optus network to scrap excess fees on its mobile plans. As is standard, you get your primary allowance, and then unlimited data at 256Kbps.
256Kbps is very slow. It's only four times the speed of dial-up internet. You might get away with basic browsing and using Spotify or Apple Music, but don't expect to be watching any video if you run out of data on a Dodo mobile plan.
If you do run out of data and need to top up before the end of the month, Dodo charges $10 for 5GB of full-speed data.
Here are Dodo's SIM-only mobile plans with unlimited data:
|
#1
|
Dodo
Small Mobile Plan
$25.00/mth
Min. cost $25
|
|
#2
|
Dodo
Editor's Pick
Medium Mobile Plan
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
|
#3
|
Dodo
Large Mobile Plan
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $20
|
Optus unlimited data mobile plans
Optus offers unlimited data across its entire range of postpaid mobile plans. As with the majority of providers offering unlimited data plans, you'll be capped to speeds of 1.5Mbps if you go over your data allowance.
Here is Optus' range of SIM-only plans:
|
#1
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
#2
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$69.00/mth
Min. cost $69
|
|
#3
|
Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$70.00/mth
Min. cost $70
|
|
#4
|
Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$90.00/mth
Min. cost $90
|
In addition, most Optus postpaid mobile plans come with:
- Discounted streaming services when bundled through SubHub
- $5 per day international roaming
Optus plans also come with unlimited international calls and text to selected destinations as a standard feature. The only exception is its Small Optus Choice Plus plan, which does not include any international talk or text.
Optus has a second unlimited data offer dubbed Unlimited Data Day. This costs $5 for postpaid customers and $6 for prepaid customers, and allows for 24 hours of all-you-can-eat data with no speed restrictions.
The Unlimited Data Day Add-on is available to Optus customers on postpaid plans and prepaid customers on a Flex Plus, Flux Plus Casual, Flex Plus Travel, Epic Data, or Epic Value plan. While Optus plans typically support data sharing, the unlimited data add-on cannot be shared. It can only be used in Australia.
Customers on eligible Optus prepaid plans are eligible for "unlimited data weekends" provided they turn on AutoRecharge. As the name might suggest, no data usage between 12.01am on Saturday and 11.59pm counts toward a customer's normal data usage. The unlimited data kicks in each customer's local time zone, rather than at the same time for all Optus customers. A "fair go policy" still applies.
The Optus prepaid plans below are eligible for unlimited data weekends:
Vodafone unlimited data mobile plans
Vodafone postpaid plans have a limited amount of full-speed data and unlimited data capped to 2Mbps once your full-speed allowance is exceeded, regardless of which plan tier you choose.
Here are Vodafone's postpaid SIM-only plans:
|
#1
|
Vodafone
$58 Small SIM Only Plan
$45.00/mth
Min. cost $45
|
|
#2
|
Vodafone
$68 Medium SIM Only Plan
$50.00/mth
Min. cost $50
|
|
#3
|
Vodafone
$78 Large SIM Only Plan
$55.00/mth
Min. cost $55
|
Along with unlimited mobile data, most of Vodafone's postpaid plans also include Vodafone's famous $5 roaming and at least some international inclusions.
Vodafone postpaid mobile customers can also bundle phone and broadband to save up to $10 per month on any Vodafone NBN plan. Alternatively, customers can save $5 per month on Vodafone 5G home internet plans.
Vodafone prepaid plans also have endless data for when you go over your allowance, capped at speeds of 1.5Mbps.
Telstra unlimited data mobile plans
Every Upfront SIM-only plan from Telstra has unlimited mobile data, capped at 1.5Mbps once you go over the full-speed data allowance.
Here's the full range:
|
#1
|
Telstra
$84 Essential Upfront SIM Plan
$74.00/mth
Min. cost $74
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront SIM Plan
$74.00/mth
Min. cost $74
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
$99 Premium Upfront SIM Plan
$84.00/mth
Min. cost $84
Link not supplied
|
On top of the unending supply of data, Telstra's Upfront plans have unlimited international SMS, 30 minutes of international calls per month, and satellite messaging when mobile coverage is unavailable. Telstra customers can join Telstra Plus to earn points for every dollar spent that can then be redeemed for tech or discounts on phone bills.
There aren't any Telstra prepaid plans with unlimited data.
Aussie Broadband unlimited data mobile plans
Aussie Broadband is the latest mobile provider to offer unlimited data on its mobile plans. The implementation is fairly standard: you get your full speed data allowance, and then unlimited data at 1.5Mbps if you break that limit.
Here's the full range:
|
#1
|
Aussie Broadband
Saver 5G SIM Plan
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $30
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Aussie Broadband
Value 5G SIM Plan
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $40
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Aussie Broadband
Essential 5G SIM Plan
$50.00/mth
Min. cost $50
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Aussie Broadband
Premium 5G SIM Plan
$60.00/mth
Min. cost $60
Link not supplied
|
Aussie Broadband mobile plans are powered by the Optus network.
Customers who bundle an Aussie Broadband mobile with one of its NBN plans get a $5 per month discount. Customers can save a maximum of $25 per month with five mobile plans on one account.
Do I need an unlimited data mobile plan?
While an unlimited data mobile plan can provide peace of mind, not everyone needs one. In fact, most Australians would be fine without one. According to the latest ACCC Internet Activity Report, the average postpaid mobile customer in Australia was using only 18GB of data per month. Prepaid customers used just 9.7GB per month.
As such, a 20GB plan would be more than enough for the average postpaid customer, and a 10GB plan is more than enough for the average prepaid customer.
When signing up for a new phone plan, it's important to right-size to meet your needs. There's no point paying for 100GB if you're only using 10GB each month. But if you are using 100GB, you'll definitely want to be on a plan with that kind of allowance rather than paying excess fees or dealing with slow data.
Since the average Australian uses less than 20GB per month, a 40GB plan should be practically unlimited for most. Here's a look at the popular SIM-only mobile plans in our database that come with at least 40GB.
|
#1
|
Lyca Mobile
Editor's Pick
Unlimited Plan S
$15.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Moose Mobile
Moose 30 SIM Only
$17.00/mth
Min. cost $17
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Kogan Mobile
Medium Monthly Plan
$29.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
|
|
#4
|
SpinTel
$29 Mobile Plan
$29.00/mth
Min. cost $29
|
|
#5
|
Lebara Mobile
$30 SIM Plan
$30.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Dodo
Editor's Pick
Medium Mobile Plan
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
|
#7
|
Belong
25GB Mobile Plan
$34.00/mth
Min. cost $34
Link not supplied
|
|
#8
|
ALDI mobile
$34 Mobile Plan
$34.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#9
|
amaysim
UNLIMITED 42GB Plan
$35.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
|
Everyday Mobile
Pre-paid Mobile $35 Recharge
$35.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
If you don't want to compare every plan yourself, check out our editor's picks for the best SIM-only 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.
Unlimited mobile data FAQs
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, which 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 data allowance with other plans on your account, including family mobile plans, but you won't share your speed-capped data. You won't have to rely on your speed-capped data until your total data pool is exhausted.
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 mobile service you have on your account after the first, up to a maximum discount of 20% for five services.
Telstra's Upfront plans also allow data sharing with any other Upfront plan on your account, up to a maximum of 10 plans.
If you're sharing your data allowance on Optus, all services on your account will be capped at 1.5Mbps after the shared pool is exhausted.
Can I use my unlimited data overseas?
All Vodafone plans give you access to $5 roaming, but 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 roll over for one billing month.
Telstra customers use the international day system when travelling overseas. Pricing varies depending on your destination. You'll pay $10 per day for 2GB of data in most eligible locations, but this is halved to $5 per day in New Zealand, Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
This data expires at the end of each day, based on Australian time. If you exceed your 2GB allowance, you'll be billed $10 for a 2GB data block with a 31-day expiry. This comes with a 31-day expiry, and can be used on each day overseas where the initial 2GB is exceeded. Your local inclusions - including your data allowance - are irrelevant when travelling.
Optus has $5 roaming, but this includes a fixed 5GB per day. Optus' Unlimited Data Day add-on can only be used in Australia, and Optus' unlimited data at 1.5Mbps also only works locally.
Belong has a single roaming add-on that gets you 3GB for $30, with a 15-day expiry. If you go over this, you'll need to buy a recharge - you won't get unlimited data at 1Mbps if you're overseas.
These are the most popular NBN 50 plans with WhistleOut users this week:
|
#1
|
Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®
Editor's Pick
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$57.99/mth
Min. cost $57.99
|
|
#2
|
amaysim
All Fixed Line nbn®
NBN50
$45/mth
Min. cost $45
|
|
#3
|
Tangerine Telecom
All Fixed Line nbn®
Value Plus NBN 50/20
$64.90/mth
Min. cost $64.90
|
|
#4
|
TPG
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$69.99/mth
Min. cost $69.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Aussie Broadband
All Fixed Line nbn®
Value nbn - Unlimited
$70/mth
Min. cost $70
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Superloop
All Fixed Line nbn®
Extra-value nbn50/20
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
|
|
#7
|
iiNet
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn50 Liimitless
$69.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $79.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#8
|
Belong
All Fixed Line nbn®
NBN Standard Plus – Unlimited
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
|
|
#9
|
Kogan Internet
All Fixed Line nbn®
Silver Unlimited
$69.90/mth
Min. cost $69.90
|
|
#10
|
Flip
All Fixed Line nbn®
Unlimited Family nbn50
$68/mth
Min. cost $68
|
Jacqui Dent
Editorial Strategist
Related Articles
