Mobile SIMs and Internet in Australia: A Guide for Newcomers

A mobile SIM is one of the first things to buy when you arrive in Australia — you need it for maps, staying in touch, and booking appointments. The good news is that Australia’s telecommunications market is competitive and offers plenty of good choices.

Major carriers in Australia

The Big Three

Telstra — the largest network with the widest coverage in Australia, especially in rural and remote areas. It is usually more expensive than the others, but signal quality is more reliable in many regions.

Optus — the second-largest network, with good coverage in cities and suburbs. Prices are usually more competitive than Telstra’s. Signal in rural areas is weaker than Telstra’s.

TPG Telecom / Vodafone — TPG and Vodafone have merged into TPG Telecom. Coverage is mainly in cities and densely populated suburbs. This network often has the best-value plans among the Big Three.

MVNOs — virtual networks

An MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) is a smaller provider that uses the Big Three’s infrastructure but sells plans at lower prices. For example:

• On Telstra’s network: Boost Mobile, Woolworths Mobile, Aldi Mobile
• On Optus’s network: Amaysim, Coles Mobile, Catch Connect
• On Vodafone/TPG’s network: Kogan Mobile, Lebara, OVO Mobile

MVNOs are usually very competitively priced, especially for heavy data users. The trade-offs: customer service is sometimes weaker, and they may get lower signal priority than the host network when the network is congested.

Prepaid or postpaid

Prepaid

You buy a plan month by month, with no contract. This suits newcomers who don’t yet know their real needs, or who don’t yet have an Australian credit history. It is easy to change or cancel.

Most MVNOs and many of the major carriers offer good prepaid plans with data ranging from a few GB to unlimited (unlimited data at a capped speed once you pass a certain threshold).

Postpaid with a contract

This usually comes with a phone paid off in instalments. It requires a credit check — newcomers without an Australian credit history often find it hard to be approved for a long-term contract.

Recommendation: use prepaid for your first month, then switch to postpaid if you need to once you have a stable address and a financial history.

Where to buy a SIM

Prepaid SIMs are sold at:

• Official carrier stores (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone stores)
• Electronics stores (JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman)
• Supermarkets (Woolworths, Coles, Aldi)
• 7-Eleven convenience stores (Telstra SIMs)
• Right at the airport

Airports usually have Telstra and Optus. Prices at the airport are sometimes higher — but it’s convenient when you’ve just landed.

Keeping your number when you switch

In Australia, you can keep your current phone number when you move to another network — this is called number porting. You just give your phone number and a verification detail (an account number or a security question answer) to the new network when you sign up. The transfer usually takes a few hours, with little time off the air.

Don’t cancel your old SIM first — let the new network cancel it automatically once porting is complete.

Home internet

NBN (National Broadband Network)

Fixed broadband in Australia mostly runs over the NBN — the fibre-optic and other-technology network built by the government. Most newer homes already have an NBN connection. You choose an internet service provider (ISP) that runs over the NBN infrastructure.

The type of NBN connection affects the maximum speed: FTTP (fibre direct to the home) is fastest, while FTTN (fibre to a node, then copper to the home) is slower. Check the NBN type at your home address at nbnco.com.au.

Common NBN plans

Major providers include Telstra, Optus, TPG, Aussie Broadband, Superloop, and iiNet. An NBN 50 plan (maximum download speed of 50 Mbps) is enough for a household to stream, work from home, and study online. An NBN 100 plan or higher suits homes with many people using it at the same time.

Compare prices at broadbandcompare.com.au — a neutral comparison tool supported by the ACCC.

Installation time

A new NBN connection requires a technician to visit the home in some cases — book early after signing your lease, because getting an appointment can take a few weeks. While you wait, using your phone’s hotspot is a temporary solution.

5G Home Internet

An increasingly popular option is home internet over 5G (Telstra, Optus, TPG Home Wireless). There are no cables — a 5G receiver sits inside your home. It suits renters who don’t want to sign a long-term NBN contract, or areas where the NBN is poor quality. Check 5G coverage before you choose it.

Free messaging apps

WhatsApp, Zalo, Messenger, and iMessage (between iPhone users) all work well in Australia. The Vietnamese community in Australia uses Zalo and Facebook Messenger a lot — you don’t necessarily have to change the apps you’re used to.

Next steps

For the full list of things to do as soon as you arrive, see the related guide to your first 30 days in Australia.

Once you have a home address, see the related guide on overall living costs and how to set a budget.