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Best mobile plans for July 2023

We’ve selected 5 top picks based on price, network and features to help you find the best mobile phone plan in Australia.

Top pick: Prepaid
 image
40GB
$15
per month
40GB for $15 for the first 6 months then 40GB for $29.99. T&Cs apply.

Finding the best mobile phone plan for you

At the start of each month, our team of mobile experts analyse all the latest mobile deals in the market to find the best value plans for a wide range of categories. There is no singular mobile plan that will work perfectly for everyone.

To help you find the right mobile plan, we've evaluated hundreds of plans based on a value score. These top picks were awarded on July 24 based on the prices and deals available at that time.

Read more on our methodology for the best mobile plans

Top pick: Best mobile plan under $20

Coles Prepaid $20

Unlimited
Calls & Text
15GB
data
$20
per 30 days
Coles Prepaid $20 logo


Top pick: Best prepaid mobile plan

iiNet Mobile Large Plan

Unlimited
Calls & Text
40GB
data
$15
per month
iiNet Mobile Large Plan logo

for the first 6 months then 40GB for $29.99. T&Cs apply.

Top pick: Best postpaid mobile plan

Belong 40GB SIM

Unlimited
Calls & Text
40GB
data. Slowed down to 1Mbps after full speed data used up
$35
per month
Belong 40GB SIM logo


Top pick: Best plan on the Telstra network

Tangerine Telecom 42GB Mobile SIM

Unlimited
Calls & Text
84GB
data
$34.90
per month
Tangerine Telecom 42GB Mobile SIM logo

for the first 6 months then 42GB for $34.90. T&Cs apply. Ends 31.7.23

Top pick: Best plan on the Optus network

AGL Medium 4G Mobile

Unlimited
Calls & Text
50GB
data
$35
per month
AGL Medium 4G Mobile logo

$20/mth for the first 12 months, then $30/mth after for AGL energy customers. T&Cs apply. Ends 31.7.23

Top pick: Best iPhone plan


Top pick: Best Samsung plan


Why you can trust Finder's mobile plan experts

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We've done the work

We've researched and reviewed hundreds of phone plans to make our guides as helpful as possible. Our experts can be seen across TV, print and digital media.
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We're reliable

Our product database of 52 providers is updated daily with the latest mobile deals in Australia. Our guides are regularly reviewed and fact-checked.
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We're here to help

Since 2015, we've helped over 1.2 million people find the right mobile plan by explaining features clearly and simply. We're here to help you make a decision.

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How do you find the best mobile plan?

The best mobile plan for you will depend on your personal preferences. Here are some of the things to consider to help get you started:

mobile network signal
Do you want access to a particular mobile network?

While there are dozens of mobile plan retailers, there are just 3 network operators. In order of coverage, they are Telstra (99.5%), Optus (98.5%) and TPG/Vodafone (96%).

You can check coverage in your area online before you sign up because even in metropolitan areas, there may be coverage gaps.

phone with arrows pointing to opposite direction
How much data do you need?

While a few providers offer unlimited data, most people don't need very much data at all. The average Australian uses 10.2GB a month according to the ACCC Communications Market Report.

You can use our mobile data usage calculator to get an estimate of how much data you use, but it's also a good idea to check your latest bill.

bulleted list
What features are must haves for you?

When choosing our top picks, we considered a broad range of features that are useful to have, including data rollover, Wi-Fi calling and international calls and texts.

That being said, you may just be happy with a regular plan with national calls and texts and data. If that sounds like you, don't be fooled by fancy extras and stick to a simpler plan for cheaper instead.

dollar sign inside a circle
How much can you afford to pay?

If you're getting a new phone on a plan, you'll need to decide how much you can afford for the repayment period. You can typically choose between 12-, 24- and 36-month repayment periods.

Keep in mind that while a 36-month repayment period will have a "smoothing" effect on your monthly bill, you may miss out on better deals that come along within that 3-year period while you stay with the same provider.

Expert tip: The next time your phone bill comes in, look at how much data you used. The average Aussie downloads just 10.2GB a month. If that’s you and you’re paying for more data than you need, it might be time to compare your options.

Dylan Crismale

Dylan Crismale
Utilities writer

Compare to find the best mobile plan

Use the filters on the table to start comparing mobile plans to find the one that best suits your needs.

1 - 5 of 351
Name Product Features Data Price
  • Includes 15GB bonus data for first 3 months. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Activate by 29.8.23
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
30 GB
Data
$20
per month
30 GB
Data
Slowed to 1Mbps after full speed data used up

$20
per month
Go to site
View details
-50%
  • $15/mth for the first 6 months, then $29.99/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
40 GB
Data
$15
per month
40 GB
Data

-50%
$15
per month
Go to site
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
15GB
Data
$20
per 30 days expiry
15GB
Data

$20
per 30 days expiry
Go to site
View details
GREEN COMPANY
-50%
  • $17.50/mth for the first 3 months, then $35/mth. Use code FINDER50. New customers only. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.7.23
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
Unlimited data
At speeds up to 20Mbps
$17.50
per month
Finder Award
Unlimited data
At speeds up to 20Mbps

-50%
$17.50
per month
Go to site
View details
  • $20/mth for the first 12 months, then $30/mth after for AGL energy customers. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.7.23
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
50GB
Data
$35
per month
50GB
Data

$35
per month
Go to site
View details
loading

Methodology: How we researched the best mobile plans

  • We looked at mobile plans in our database for personal use only.
  • This includes major providers that operate Australia-wide across the Telstra, Optus and Vodafone networks.
  • We calculated a value score for each plan in our database weighted as follows: 70% cost per gigabyte over the first 12 months of the plan, 20% mobile network coverage and 10% features (including data rollover 6%, Wi-Fi calling 3% and international call inclusions 1%).

To select the overall winner of each category, we ranked the plans in our database via their final value score.

Frequently asked questions

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Ask an Expert

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6 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    RoyAugust 7, 2019

    Optus have offered, on a 24 month plan, a new iPhone 7 with unlimited text and national calls together with 10GB of data discounted to $45.20 per month. Is this a good deal?

      Default Gravatar
      NikkiAugust 8, 2019

      Hi Roy,

      Thanks for getting in touch! It’s helpful to know that when choosing a mobile plan, it should be one that fits your monthly budget and lifestyle. Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.

      Best,
      Nikki

    Default Gravatar
    SamyMarch 14, 2018

    Hi,
    I would like to know which MVNO using full strength 4G network for voice and data. I heard that Boost is using Telstra’s full network and Virgin is using Optus. Is there any other MVNO using full strength network for both voice and data ??
    Cheers!
    Samy

      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      JoshuaMarch 22, 2018Staff

      Hi Samy,

      Thanks for getting in touch with Finder.

      The network strength depends on different factors such as time and place. However, in terms of network coverage, the service an MVNO offers shouldn’t differ in any way at all from the service that you’d get from the underlying network provider at the same location. That makes sense because it’s the exact same network infrastructure. If there’s an outage or a reception problem with an MVNO, it’s a question of the underlying carrier’s network, not the MVNO.

      We also have a list of MVNOs along with the networks they use. Please check and see if it answers your question.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Joshua

    Default Gravatar
    ZitaMarch 6, 2018

    I need a new mobile phone (keeping my existing mobile number) + prepaid monthly plan to receive incoming calls from work and reply back fast and easy … as my job based on how fast I receive the messages from work and can take the shift … so coverage is important … between Caboolture, the Sunshine Coast and Bribie Island . Best/lowest price deals with fast and safe/reliable network even in rain/storm? Any suggestions? Thanks*

      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      MayMarch 7, 2018Staff

      Hi Zita,

      Thanks for your inquiry.

      In terms of speed, calls, and messaging, all Australian telcos are largely using 3G networks. So we couldn’t single out who’s fast and who’s not. You may compare your phone plan using our comparison table and search filters to help narrow down your options. Please see the image below:

      Mobile plan+phone

      Once you have chosen a particular plan, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      May

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