The best prepaid mobile plans in Australia (December 2023)

Looking for the best prepaid mobile plans and cheap mobile plans? We're here to help you find your way. Read on on for our top picks for prepaid mobile plans.

Best prepaid plan
TPG
TPG 45GB Mobile Plan
Starts at
$15
per month
Data
45GB p/recharge
🔥Deal
50% off for the first six months
Network
Vodafone 4G
Best prepaid plan for light use
Catch Connect
Catch Connect 30 Day Plan – 30GB
Starts at
$25
per month
Data
30GB p/recharge
Network
Optus 4G
Best prepaid plan for heavy use
TPG
TPG 60GB Mobile Plan
Starts at
$20
per 30 days
Data per recharge
60GB p/recharge
🔥Deal
50% off for the first six months
Network
Vodafone 4G
Cheapest prepaid plan
Lebra Mobile
Lebara $14.90 Extra Small Plan
Starts at
$14.90
per 30 days
Data
4GB p/recharge
🔥Deal
Bonus 4GB on first recharge
Network
Vodafone 4G
Best 5G prepaid plan
Lebra Mobile
Lebara $49.90 Extra Large Plan
Starts at
$49.90
per 30 days
Data
80GB p/recharge
🔥Deal
Bonus 40GB for first 30 days
Network
Vodafone 5G
Nathan Lawrence
Dec 03, 2023
bullet10 min read

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Buying a prepaid plan means you’re in control of how much you spend each month.

There’s no contract, and the bill comes upfront, so you don’t have to worry about bill shock or excess data usage. You also get extra flexibility when it comes to choosing your next handset. Rather than be forced to pick something from your provider's stocklist, a prepaid mobile plan can be paired with an iPhone 15 and Google Pixel 8 Pro or any other handset you fancy.

How do prepaid plans work?

What is a prepaid plan?

Prepaid mobile plans tick many of the same boxes that postpaid plans do. The big difference is that you're paying for whatever bundle of data, calls and texts you decide upon in advance rather than at the end of the month. After a set period, those inclusions will expire and you'll have to pay up.

Best prepaid mobile plan

TPG 45GB Mobile Plan

How we picked the best prepaid mobile plan: 

  • We ranked prepaid plans with 30GB of mobile by price and chose the cheapest one.

If you want to save money and don't mind fewer gigabytes of data each month, we recommend going with the TPG 45GB Mobile Plan.

It has identical first-year dollar-to-data value albeit to the TPG plan we chose for our best heavy-use pick at a cheaper monthly price. That more affordable price comes with less monthly data, but it also comes with a smaller amount of bill shock once your honeymoon period is over and the regular $30 per month price kicks in.

Additional Info
  • Data: 45GB
  • Expiry: 1 month
  • Network: Vodafone 3G/4G
  • SIM fees: None
  • Delivery fees: None
  • International roaming: No
  • Cost over 24 month period: $630

How does this prepaid mobile plan compare?

If this prepaid mobile plan plan isn't quite what you're after, check out the widget below for a round-up of your alternatives.

Best prepaid plan for heavy use

TPG 60GB Mobile Plan

How we picked the best prepaid plan for heavy use: 

  • We ranked prepaid mobile plans with 60GB of mobile by price and chose the cheapest one.

60GB for half the usual price is hard to beat, so we've gone with the TPG 60GB Mobile Plan as our pick for the best value prepaid plan this month. New customers get six months of promo pricing before the plan reverts to a reasonable monthly cost of $40 per month.

For the full-rundown on this provider, check out our guide to TPG mobile plans and prices.

Additional Info
  • Data: 60GB
  • Expiry: 1 month
  • Network: Vodafone 3G/4G
  • SIM fees: None
  • Delivery fees: None
  • International roaming: No
  • Cost over 24 month period: $840

How does this prepaid mobile plan compare?

If this prepaid mobile plan isn't quite what you're after, check out the widget below for a round-up of your alternatives.

Best prepaid plan for light use

Catch Connect 30 Day Plan – 30GB

How we picked the best prepaid plan for light use: 

  • We ranked prepaid mobile plans under $20 per month by the amount of dollars to gigabytes, then privileged regular pricing over promo pricing as a tiebreaker.

The Catch Connect 30-Day Plan – 30GB is a great, cheap prepaid mobile plan pick for those with more modest data needs.

The name says everything you need to know about this entry in our list of the top-rated prepaid plans, except for the $25 recharge fee you pay every 30 days. That’s a good price for 30GB of data on the Optus network, though you shouldn’t expect any perks with this plan. For example, access to the Optus 5G network isn't included with this particular MVNO. For a sense of how Catch Connect compares, check out this guide to Optus MVNOs.

Additional Info
  • Data: 30GB
  • Expiry: 30 days
  • Network: Optus 4G Plus
  • SIM fees: None
  • Delivery fees: None
  • International roaming: Yes
  • Cost over 24 month period: $612

How does this prepaid mobile plan compare?

Below is a daily updated list of the cheapest prepaid mobile plans that cost less than $20 per recharge.

How much prepaid data do I need?

Get the right amount of gigabytes

Aussie prepaid users only go through 6.3GB of data on average per month, according to the ACCC’s Communications market report 2020–2021, which is around 9GB of data these days. Generally speaking, a 10GB plan should be enough for the average prepaid user, but we’d recommend sticking to 30GB and above for those with bigger-data monthly needs.

Cheapest prepaid mobile plan

Lebara $14.90 Extra Small Plan

This pick is based on the plans that are listed in our database.

How we picked the cheapest prepaid plan: 

  • We ranked prepaid mobile plans in our database that are under $20 per month by the cost over a 24 month period and then picked the cheapest one.

If you're looking to pick up a new plan for less than the price of a burger, the biggest decision you'll need to make is whether you want the security of a fixed price or want to take advantage of a timely discount. The latter might get you more bang for your buck for the short term, but you'll eventually have to change providers or get stuck paying a higher rate.

In contrast, the Lebara $14.90 Extra Small Plan is good all year round. It's a little lighter on the data allowance than some of the promo-priced options but it comes with all the same coverage you'd expect from any provider on the Vodafone network. You'll also score an extra 4GB if you sign up before 26 March 2024.

Additional Info
  • Data: 4GB
  • Expiry: 30 days
  • Network: Vodafone 4G
  • SIM fees: None
  • Delivery fees: None
  • International roaming: Yes
  • International calls: 300 international mins to 8 selected countries 
  • Data banking: Yes
  • Cost over 24 month period: $372.50

How does this prepaid mobile plan compare?

If this prepaid mobile plan isn't quite what you're after, check out the widget below for a round-up of your alternatives.

How we choose the best prepaid plans

As always, all of our returning picks for the top prepaid mobile plans have been vetted to ensure they’re the best value at the start of the month. We compare all relevant prepaid recharges and subscriptions to pick new winners or confirm the continued reign of incumbent victors. Most of our categories involve monthly plans, which offer either 28 days, 30 days or a full month.

Best 5G Prepaid plan

Lebara $49.90 Extra Large Plan

How we picked the best 5G prepaid plan: 

  • We ranked prepaid mobile plans with at least 40GB of data and 5G connectivity by price and picked the that offered the most data per dollar.

Telstra's own $60 prepaid Mobile Plan is a good place to start your search when it comes to prepaid 5G mobile plans, but the Lebara $49.90 Extra Large Plan is our choice for the best place to end it.

This prepaid plan comes with 80GB of monthly data, unlimited talk and text to 60 selected countries, plus 500 minutes to 12 selected destinations, and 50 minutes to a further 10 countries. You'll also get access to Lebara's ongoing 5G trial, which is powered by the Vodafone network.

Additional Info
  • Data: 80GB
  • Expiry: 30 days
  • Network: Vodafone 4G/5G
  • SIM fees: None
  • Delivery fees: None
  • International roaming: Yes
  • Data banking: Yes
  • Cost over 24 month period: $1247

How does this prepaid mobile plan compare?

If this prepaid mobile plan isn't quite what you're after, check out the widget below for a round-up of your alternatives.

How long do prepaid plans last?

Prepaid expiry explained

Even if you're always paying the bill upfront, prepaid plans come in different shapes and sizes. Some plans expire after just a couple of days while others prepaid SIMs will set you up for weeks or months of mobile connectivity in advance. Some will even last you a full 365-days.

If you’re interested in reading about more prepaid mobile plans that expire after 90, 180 or even 365 days, see our guide to the best prepaid long-expiry plans.

What to look for in a prepaid plan

Here's a complete guide to prepaid mobile plans

The first thing you need to understand about prepaid plans is the differences between prepaid plans recharges, subscriptions and starter packs.

  • Subscriptions are a convenient auto-recharging option that can offer SIM Only-like value. However, if you like the idea of more control about when and how much you're paying each month, then opting for a starter pack may be the better fit.
  • Providers typically offer bonus data or a discounts on these prepaid SIM packages. Once that initial allotment of data, talk and text expires, you'll have to pay for a recharge in order to keep using your SIM.
  • If you need data in a pinch, you can probably get by on a plan with fewer than 28 days expiry. Even if you aren't, monthly plans are the easiest way to determine ongoing costs. Just remember to factor in an extra recharge per year for an ongoing 28-day prepaid plan.
  • Don't forget to double check which network your prepaid plan provider is partnered with. Quality coverage should result in a better prepaid experience, from call reliability to download and upload speeds.
  • Perks like international calls and roaming aren’t essential. They're nice to have, but rarely as important as making sure you have a prepaid plan that meets your needs and doesn't blow your budget.

Buying a prepaid plan means you’re in control of how much you spend each month.

  • There’s no contract, and the bill comes upfront, so you don’t have to worry about bill shock or excess data usage.
  • Rather than be forced to pick something from your provider's stocklist, a prepaid plan can be paired with an iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8 or any other handset you fancy.

What are the best prepaid plans?

Our list of the best prepaid plan providers doesn't change too much from month to month, but we'll be sure to update this article (and the picks on it) whenever it does.

Since not everyone has the same needs when it comes to phone plans, our list of prepaid plans is broken into five categories.

  • Prepaid mobile plans for light use
  • Prepaid mobile plans for heavy use
  • Best value prepaid mobile plans
  • Cheap or cheapest prepaid mobile plans
  • 5G prepaid mobile plans

What's the difference between prepaid and postpaid plans

The prepaid plans vs postpaid plans

Prepaid
Postpaid
Payment takenBeforeAfter
Phone IncludedOptionalOptional
When inclusions usedNo access until next recharge earlyCharged per minute, text and GB over limit

Postpaid plans are usually associated with contract terms and included handsets (though there are some decent month-to-month SIM Only plans available these days) whereas prepaid mobile plans are low-commitment plans that give you more control over your spending, and they have no contract.

With prepaid plans, you pay for the calls, texts and data you think you will need before using them. Postpaid plans calculate your usage at the end of your billing month and bill you for the calls, text and data used over that period (typically with excess fees if you go over your plan’s inclusions).

bullet
Expert Advice
“Whether you choose a prepaid or a postpaid phone plan it really comes down [whether] you want to pay for your service upfront and reap the benefits of usually a cheaper plan or pay for your phone plan afterwards and usually enjoy some extra perks.”
Kate Reynolds
Kate Reynolds
Digital Content Editor

Prepaid plans also come with the risk of getting cut off without notice, which can be dangerous if you forget to recharge, whereas Postpaid plans will only cut you off if you fail to pay the last month’s bill after it’s due.

Prepaid mobile plans simply restrict your network access when you’ve burned through your data, whereas excess usage on a Postpaid plan may result in additional charges on your bill at the end of the month (unless telcos use shaping).

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Where can I buy a prepaid mobile plan in Australia

Australians after a prepaid mobile plan can find them in many of the same physical and digital locations as their postpaid counterparts, including major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths, specialised telco stores and electronics outlets like JB Hi-Fi and online through websites like Catch and Amazon.

How to change prepaid plans

Switching it up

Typically, all that’s required to switch prepaid mobile plans is to select a different recharge type next time you top-up. Some providers may will ask you to use an automated service over the phone, but many allow you do it all from within an app.

If you want to switch from one prepaid plan provider to another and keep the same number, make sure you approach your new telco with the mobile number you would like to switch, the associated account number (if available), and your personal details for security purposes (e.g. name, date of birth, driver’s licence number).

Are prepaid mobile plans and phones locked?

Unlike contract phone plans, prepaid phones tend to be network locked. You might run into trouble when using one telco’s prepaid handset with another’s prepaid SIM. Unlocking your Prepaid handset will come with a small fee, which may vary depending on the make and model of your phone and the date of purchase.

Which providers offer prepaid mobile plans in Australia

At the time of writing, the 16 Australian providers in our database are offering prepaid mobile plans.

Where can I buy a prepaid SIM card in Australia?

You'll be able to find prepaid SIMs in major supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles, specialised outlets like Telstra and Optus Stores as well as online through the website of a given provider.

Many of Australia's mobile providers tend to throw in a SIM with any given prepaid mobile plan at no additional cost when you sign on for a plan. However, some providers (like ALDI Mobile) charge a nominal $5 upfront fee to set up an account with them.

Is it cheaper to have a prepaid phone plan or contract?

While pricing of prepaid mobile plans and postpaid plans varies from provider to provider, prepaid plans tend to be cheaper. The cheapest prepaid mobile plan start from as little as $9 per month, while most budget-friendly postpaid plans start around double that.

Looking for a new mobile plan?

All prepaid mobile plans

Take a look at more prepaid plans in Australia according to WhistleOut’s comparison engine.

Nathan Lawrence
Written by
Nathan Lawrence
Nathan Lawrence has been banging out passionate tech and gaming words for more than 11 years. These days, you can find his work on outlets like IGN, STACK, Fandom, Red Bull and AusGamers. Nathan adores PC gaming and the proof of his first-person-shooter prowess is at the top of a Battlefield V scoreboard.

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