The best long expiry plans in July 2023 were picked by our team of mobile plan experts on 21 July 2023 and reviewed by our editor, Mariam Gabaji.
The Finder Awards are held each year to determine the top-performing brands that offer the most value to customers across different categories. Here are the winners and highly commended providers for the Best Long Expiry Mobile Plan:
Kogan's long expiry plans have been a long-time favourite of ours as they're reasonably priced and offer generous data allowances. You also get Wi-Fi calling, instant eSIM setup and the option to earn Qantas Points.
If being on the Vodafone network isn't your thing, Woolworths Mobile and Coles Mobile were both top contenders for the Best Long Expiry Mobile Plans this year. Both offer 10% off your monthly grocery shop (T&Cs apply) and run on the Telstra and Optus networks, respectively.
There are 2 main types of long expiry mobile plans:
Apart from the cost of the plan itself and your willingness to pay it upfront, you should consider some other key features before committing to a long expiry plan:
Think about how long you're willing to commit for, whether that's for 90, 180 or 365 days. The longer you commit for, the fewer times in the year you'll need to worry about recharging. Just keep in mind if you choose to leave before your expiry period ends, you'll lose the money you paid upfront.
Choose a data limit suited to your needs. When in doubt, add a couple of extra GB on to how much data you think you'll use. You don't want to get stuck with not enough data after committing to a plan long term. Also keep in mind that some plans allocate monthly data limits.
You'll find mobile plans with expiry periods between 90 and 365 days in the comparison table below.
Among other factors, it'll largely depend on if you're comfortable paying a large cost upfront and whether the features on the plan will suit you for whatever expiry period you sign up for.
Expert tip: Long expiry plans offer the convenience of setting and forgetting about your mobile plan for anywhere between 90 and 365 days. They tend to work out cheaper in the long run if you're willing to pay upfront. Just be mindful which network you choose your plan on since you'll have to stick with it for the long term after you've bought your plan.
Mariam Gabaji
Utilities editor
Not all mobile providers in Australia offer long expiry prepaid mobile plans. Here's a breakdown of some popular ones and what they offer:
ALDImobile runs on the Telstra wholesale network and offers a PAYG long expiry plan that lasts the full year. It's just $5 to sign up and that's also how much credit you'll have in the first instance. After that you can buy blocks of credit to top up.
Coles Mobile runs on the Optus network and offers good bang for buck on its 365-day plans with a range of low, medium and high data limits to choose from. You also get unlimited international calls and texts to selected destinations and data rollover up to 50GB.
Optus has a couple of 365-day plans suited to moderate data users. You get up to 200GB of data rollover and the option to add on 300 minutes for $5 per 28 days for 50 destinations.
Kogan Mobile runs on the Vodafone network and has a good range of 365-day plans to meet your data needs. These vary from small to extra large plans that are generally good value for money. You also get Wi-Fi calling and the option for an instant eSIM setup if you have a compatible smartphone.
Telstra has the largest 4G and 5G network coverage in Australia and it's available to access on both its 6-month and 12-month long expiry plans. This can come in handy if you live in rural or regional Australia. You also get a limited amount of free international minutes.
Woolworths Mobile runs on the Telstra wholesale network and offers both 180- and 365-day prepaid mobile plans for light to moderate data users. You also get 10% off your monthly Woolworths grocery shop (up to $50), the option to get an eSIM and data rollover when you recharge the same plan before it expires.
Boost Mobile is the only smaller provider to offer access to the full Telstra 4G and 5G network. Boost offers 12-month long expiry plans for moderate data users. In return you also get unlimited international minutes to 20 selected countries and 1,200 minutes to 30 other countries.
Vodafone's long expiry prepaid plans last 180–365 days with a decent amount of data allocation for light to moderate users. You can also bank up to 200GB of data for future use and make 50 standard international texts for free. Vodafone also offers PAYG long expiry plans. These come with no set data allocation, but with credit to use for calls, texts and data as you need it.
amaysim runs on the Optus 4G network and it also won the 2022 Finder Retail Award for Best Rated Mobile Plan Provider. You have the option to sign up to a 6- or 12-month long expiry plan that is well suited to both light to moderate data users. You can also conveniently add on any of its 4 international roaming packs when you travel to one of 90+ countries on its list.
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I am an older lady with not a lot of understanding re my mobile phone. I am with Optus pre paid. But it keeps running out of money. I usually pay $30 at a time. It doesn’t seem to last out the month. I rarely use my phone. It’s more for an emergency, when I’m away from home, as I can’t get coverage at home. Which plan would suit me best?
Hi Roslyn, I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble with your mobile plan. You can take a look at our guide to cheap plans under $20 https://www.finder.com.au/compare-mobile-plans-under-20 or if you’re after better coverage at home you can also check out these plans from Telstra MVNOs https://www.finder.com.au/best-mvno-plans-on-the-telstra-network or prepaid plans from Telstra itself https://www.finder.com.au/mobile-plans/telstra-mobile.
I’m looking for a long term data only plan, preferably 5 years if possible. Data usage is low, just monitoring power at a site with no internet access.
Hi Dean,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Currently, long expiry prepaid plans are up to 365 days which is for a year. Kindly contact your chosen provider if they may provide a modified mobile plan for your needs.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
I intend to buy a prepaid mobile plan for 365 days. My present plan will end on 25/04/2019. Can I buy now and activate the SIM card nearer to the end date of my present plan?
Hi John,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
There are SIM providers that may allow you to buy a SIM now and then activate on a later time. You may need to check this with the specific SIM provider whom you are considering to buy a prepaid SIM so you can be advised accordingly. This is normally applicable if you are to get a new mobile number. If you intend to port your number, you need to let the incoming provider know that you are planning to move your number and check their porting time frame so you can consider and check your options.
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Mai
Hello, great article, but it seems as though none of the pre-paid plans listed allow calls to be received when roaming internationally? What prepaid long expiry plans allow you to receive calls internationally?
Hi Matt,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Our company finder.com.au is a financial comparison website and general information service designed to help consumers to make a better decision. Please note we do not represent any company we feature on our pages.
On this article, you may need to contact the providers to inquiry if they have an offer to receive a call from overseas.
Cheers,
Harold
Can these SIM cards be used in a Telstra mobile phone?
Hi Aldimobile,
Thank you for your enquiry.
You can use any of the SIM cards featured on this page if you have an unlocked mobile phone, however, you can only use a Telstra SIM card on a Telstra locked phone. You can get in touch with Telstra for assistance in unlocking your Telstra locked phone.
Cheers,
Jason