Optus mobile customers can now pay $5 for a day of unlimited data

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 13 July 2020

Optus today announced that mobile customers are now able to purchase a day worth of unlimited data for $5. After a customer purchases the Unlimited Data Day Add-on through the My Optus app, they will then have access to an unlimited data allowance for 24 hours.

This data runs at full Optus network speeds, and can be used via hotspot. If you were able to get an average network connection speed of 50Mbps, you could theoretically download over 500GB in your 24-hour allotment. While the data on offer is truly unlimited - Optus wouldn't stop you from downloading 500GB -, a fair use policy still applies, as with Optus' unlimited NBN plans. This applies to "unreasonable" or "unacceptable" usage, rather than pure data volume, however.

While purchasing a $5 add-on for unlimited data doesn't seem like something you'd do on the reg, it could certainly be useful in a pinch as a backup internet option. Unlimited data makes it a lot easier to use your home as a hotspot during an NBN outage, when moving house, or to avoid paying for overpriced hotel WiFi.

The Unlimited Data Day Add-on is available to Optus customers on postpaid plans and prepaid customers on 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.

Here's Optus' range of SIM-only plans:

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#2	Optus	Optus $69 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: Get up to $10/mth SubHub credit to use on your favourite subscriptions for 12 months. T&Cs apply. $69.00/mth Min. cost $69 Go to Site	$69.00/mth Min. cost $69	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $70 Optus Choice Plus Plan 240GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $70.00/mth Min. cost $70 Go to Site	$70.00/mth Min. cost $70	Go to Site
#4	Optus	Optus $90 Optus Choice Plus Plan 480GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device SubHub: Receive up to $20/mth SubHub credit when you have an active SubHub account with subs greater than $0. T&Cs apply $90.00/mth Min. cost $90 Go to Site	$90.00/mth Min. cost $90	Go to Site

And here's a selection of devices available from Optus:

Apple

iPhone 18 Pro 256GB

6.3 inch display
Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
Front Camera: 18MP

Choose

8 Plans from $97.30/mth

Choose

8 Plans from $97.30/mth

Min. cost $2,137.80

Samsung

Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB

6.9 inch display
Rear Cameras: 200MP, 10MP, 50MP, 50MP
Front Camera: 12MP

Choose

8 Plans from $83.40/mth

Choose

8 Plans from $83.40/mth

Min. cost $2,237.88

Google

Pixel 11 256GB

6.3 inch display
Rear Cameras: 48MP, 10.8MP, 13MP
Front Camera: 10.5MP

Choose

8 Plans from $66.72/mth

Choose

8 Plans from $66.72/mth

Min. cost $1,537.32

Motorola

Moto G57 5G

6.7 inch display
Rear Cameras: 50MP, 8MP
Front Camera: 8MP

Choose

8 Plans from $40/mth

Choose

8 Plans from $40/mth

Min. cost $337.80

Nothing

Phone 3a 128GB

6.77 inch display
Android Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.1
5G Capable

Choose

8 Plans from $50.06/mth

Choose

8 Plans from $50.06/mth

Min. cost $437.16

OPPO

Find X5 Lite

6.43 inch display
Rear Cameras: 64MP, 8MP, 2MP
Front Camera: 32MP

Choose

8 Plans from $58.40/mth

Choose

8 Plans from $58.40/mth

Min. cost $837.48

ZTE

Nubia Focus 5G

6.6 inch display
Rear Cameras: 108MP, 2MP
Front Camera: 5MP

Choose

8 Plans from $40/mth

Choose

8 Plans from $40/mth

Min. cost $287.40

Optus is the last of the big three telcos to introduce an unlimited data offer. Telstra and Vodafone have both offered plans since 2018, although the implementations are entirely different. Telstra and Vodafone plans still have a primary data allowance - say 30GB - and once you exceed it, you'll be able to keep using your plan with unlimited data capped at speeds of 1.5Mbps. Optus' Unlimited Data Day Add-on offers unlimited data at full Optus network speed.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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