iPad price and plans in Australia: Your options compared

If you’ve got the latest iPhone and MacBook but you still need to fill that 8.3-12.9-inch rectangular hole in your life, you’re probably in the market for a new iPad mini, iPad, iPad Air or iPad Pro. The only issue is, you can spend between $749 and $4,099 on a new iPad, depending on what size and features you need and whether you need 4G/5G connectivity or you’re happy to get by on a WiFi connection. That’s why a lot of folks opt for getting an iPad on a plan, it allows you to spread that cost over 12, 24 or 36 months, depending on the provider you go with. Just like their smartphone plans, these providers don’t lock you into a contract when you sign up for an iPad plan. It’s more or less a BYO SIM plan and the only thing you’re obligated to pay is the full cost of the device you pair with your plan.

The only downside of that is that you don’t save any money off the cost of the device itself. Still, it’s a good option for people who need a SIM and data with their iPad who don’t want to pay the full price upfront.

Let’s take a look at the most popular plans for each iPad from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.

Before we dive into your options for getting an iPad on a plan, let’s take a look at how much it would cost you to purchase each model outright. That way, you can decide whether it’s worth paying off over time or fronting the cost outright for a WiFi or WiFi + Cellular iPad.

The bulk-standard Apple iPad has become the (more) affordable entry point to the iPad family. It’s not quite as powerful as the M2 iPad Pro or M1 Apple iPad Air but its A12 bionic chip is still no slouch. You also sacrifice a little bit of screen space with the 10.9-inch Apple iPad but for some, it will be a perfect size. Below, you’ll find the most popular plans in Australia for the 64GB and 256GB Apple iPad (10th Gen.).

The most expensive iPad in the family is the large and powerful iPad Pro. Currently, all variants of the iPad Pro 11-inch (4th gen) and the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th gen) are available across Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Below, you’ll find the most popular plans available for each iPad Pro model and storage variant.

If your go-to tablet needs to be lightweight (and a little more affordable) above all else without sacrificing screen real estate, the iPad Air is your best option. Currently, the 64GB and 256GB 5th gen Apple iPad Air are available on a plan in Australia. Check out some of the most popular plans from each provider below.

Users looking for a compact size and lightweight design that is easy to transport should look no further than the iPad mini. The iPad mini (6th gen) is currently only available from Telstra.

Wondering if you need a WiFi or cellular iPad? Thankfully, it’s not very complicated. Spending more on a cellular model allows you to use a data-only or data-sharing SIM card in your iPad. That might be a more important decision if you’re shopping for the latest 5G-capable iPad Pro but for most, it comes down to a basic question: will you need data on the go with your iPad? Or can you get by with home and office WiFi (and mobile tethering or a Pocket WiFi dongle when you’re on the road)?

If you don’t need a dedicated mobile internet connection for your iPad, you can save a lot of cash. Opting for the WiFi + Cellular model (over the WiFi model) will typically cost between $250 and $270 more, depending on the model you choose. It's a huge extra cost and something many will need to consider before dropping their dough on the latest model.

Lastly, if you do opt for the WiFi + Cellular model, you can always purchase the iPad outright and go on a SIM-only data plan. Here's a quick look at the most popular SIM-only data plans available this week.