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Cheap mobile plans

For under $20 a month, get unlimited calls and texts in Australia. Some plans include unlimited data too.

Compare cheap mobile plans under $20

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
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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
-50%
  • $10/mth for the first 6 months, then $19.99/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
8 GB
Data
$10
per month
8 GB
Data


-50%
$10
per month
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View details
  • Includes 2GB bonus data for first 3 months. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Activate by 29.8.23
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
4 GB
Data
$10
per month
4 GB
Data

Slowed to 1Mbps after full speed data used up

$10
per month
Go to site
View details
  • $10/mth for the first 12 months, then $15/mth after for AGL energy customers. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.7.23
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
5GB
Data
$20
per month
5GB
Data


$20
per month
Go to site
View details
  • 5GB for $12 on the first 3 recharges, normally 3GB for $12. T&Cs apply
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
5 GB
Data
$12
per 7 days expiry
5 GB
Data


$12
per 7 days expiry
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View details
  • $50 included standard national credit
0 GB
Data
$1
per month
+ $50 upfront
0 GB
Data


$1
+ $50 upfront
Calls and services
per month
View details
  • $5 included standard national credit
0 GB
Data
$5
per month
+ $1 upfront
0 GB
Data


$5
+ $1 upfront
per month
View details
  • $5 included standard national credit
0 GB
Data
$5
per 365 days expiry
0 GB
Data


$5
per 365 days expiry
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
3GB
Data
$5
per 5 days expiry
3GB
Data


$5
per 5 days expiry
View details
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Why compare mobile plans with Finder?

  • We don't charge extra. Prices shown on Finder are the same as those you get directly from mobile plan providers.

  • We regularly work with providers to deliver amazing exclusive offers you won't find anywhere else.

  • We have a team dedicated to monitoring mobile plan prices and keeping deals updated daily.

How do I find the best cheap mobile plan?

If price is the main factor you care about, you might think that any plan with the right dollar figure will do.

This will be true for some people, but there are a 2 main factors to consider when finding the best cheap mobile plan for your needs:

  1. Data
  2. Consider how much data you use. You won't find many plans with unlimited data under $20 but you can definitely find plans with data between 10GB and 20GB a month. No matter how much data you're after, a good benchmark for value is to get at least 1GB or more for every $1 you spend.

  3. Promotional periods
  4. Many providers offer their plans with more data at discounts for the first 3–6 months. If you just want the cheapest deal, you could swap plans once the promo expires. Otherwise, make sure you're happy to pay the standard price of the plan.

  • Learn more: Find our top picks for the best mobile plans here, including our favourite cheap mobile plan on Finder.

Is a cheap mobile plan right for you?

Besides the main advantage of having a cheaper mobile bill to pay each month, there are other aspects to consider before you sign up to a cheap mobile plan:

Pros

  • Big range of providers. While we're all familiar with Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, there are plenty of other smaller providers that share the same networks but at a fraction of the price.
  • Flexibility. Most cheap mobile plans are contract-free. If you're unhappy with the service, you can simply switch to another cheap provider.
  • Bundles. You have the option with some providers to save an additional $5–$10 when you bundle with an energy or Internet plan.

Cons

  • Promotional prices. Great for the first 6 months, but remember they'll revert to the full price at the end.
  • Less data. You can't expect to pay low prices and get tons of data.
  • SIM only. If you want to purchase a device with your phone plan, you might need to look at more expensive plans on contracts.
  • Fewer call inclusions. Features such as calls and texts might not be unlimited and international calls may not be included at all.

What points should I look out for on a cheap mobile plan?

There are a few features to look out for when comparing cheap mobile phone plans:

calendar icon

Expiry

Many cheap phone plans are prepaid plans that come with a greater variety of expiry periods. This can include plans with short expiries such as 5–7 days, which means you'd end up potentially paying more than you want with the constant renewals. Just be mindful when purchasing that a plan that costs $1–2 probably only lasts a day or 2.


sim card with plus sign logo

Inclusions

While cheap plans from larger providers tend to include unlimited calls and texts, this might not be the case with all cheap phone plans.


phone with rollover symbol

Data rollover

Some cheap mobile plans offer data rollover which is great if you don't use up all your data. Just keep in mind that you need to recharge your plan on time for the rollover to take effect.


phone with 2 opposite arrows

Data limit

On many cheaper prepaid plans, it's game over once you hit your data limit. You'll need to recharge for more data. If you plan to use lots of data, you might be better off on a slightly more expensive plan with more monthly data to be safe. On cheap postpaid plans, you could be hit with excess data fees, such as $10 for every 1GB you go over.


map of australia

Coverage

Many providers that offer cheap plans are mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that use other providers' networks. Before signing up, check which network you'll be on.

  • Telstra MVNOs (except for Boost) only get access to part of the network, which covers 98.8% of Australians.
  • Optus MVNOs get full access to the network, covering 98.5% of the population.
  • Vodafone MVNOs get full access to the network, which covers 96% of Australians.

Can I trust a smaller provider with cheap mobile plans?

Yes, there's no real catch. Smaller providers or MVNOs are legitimate businesses.

Because they use the phone networks of the 3 big telcos, MVNOs are able to offer much cheaper plans. They're not paying to maintain the cell towers and other infrastructure, so their overheads are low and they can pass the savings on to you.

The main difference you may find with a mobile plan from an MVNO compared to 1 of the 3 major providers – Telstra, Optus and Vodafone – is that their plans may have fewer bonus features than the bigger players.

Which types of mobile plans are the cheapest?

Some of the cheapest plans are those with fewer inclusions targeted at people who don't need very much data (or none) at all or will rarely use their phones. If that sounds like you, a pay-as-you-go mobile plan might be right for you.

If you want to pay upfront (and save money in the long run), a long-expiry plan with inclusions that don't expire until 3–12 months might be better.

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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