Australia’s three network operators all sell no-lock-in SIM-only plans, but the prices differ sharply. Vodafone’s Small plan is $39 a month on its current offer, Optus Choice Plus starts at $60 a month, and Telstra’s Upfront plans start at $74. This guide compares what each plan includes, including the standard prices the special offers revert to.
Best Australia SIM-Only Plans at a Glance
| Plan | Network | Price | Data | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small SIM Only | Vodafone | $39/month for 12 months, then $58 | 100GB on offer (65GB standard) | Month to month |
| Medium SIM Only | Vodafone | $50/month for 12 months, then $68 | 220GB | Month to month |
| Large SIM Only | Vodafone | $55/month for 12 months, then $78 | 420GB | Month to month |
| Choice Plus | Optus | $60/month ($39/month for the first 12 months on the current offer) | 100GB on offer (60GB standard) | Month to month |
| Choice Plus | Optus | $70/month | 240GB | Month to month |
| Choice Plus | Optus | $90/month | 480GB | Month to month |
| Upfront Basic | Telstra | $74/month | 50GB | No lock-in |
| Upfront Essential | Telstra | $84/month | 180GB | No lock-in |
| Upfront Premium | Telstra | $99/month | 300GB | No lock-in |
Every plan in the table includes unlimited standard talk and text in Australia and charges no excess data fees: when you run out of full-speed data, speeds slow down instead of your bill going up. Current Vodafone and Optus offers end in mid-November 2026, so check the live price before you order.
Vodafone: Cheapest Way onto a Big Network
Vodafone’s SIM-only range has three sizes. Small is $39 a month for the first 12 months (standard price $58), with 100GB of data during the offer period and 65GB as the standard inclusion. Medium is $50 a month for 12 months, then $68, with 220GB. Large is $55 a month for 12 months, then $78, with 420GB. Once your full-speed data runs out, you keep browsing at up to 2Mbps with no excess charges, which is enough for maps, messaging and music. Vodafone’s network now shares coverage with Optus under their network-sharing deal, which widened its regional footprint.
Optus: Choice Plus and SubHub Perks
Optus sells its month-to-month plans under the Choice Plus name. The $60 plan is currently $39 a month for the first 12 months for new services, with 100GB during the offer and 60GB as the standard inclusion. Higher tiers give 240GB for $70 and 480GB for $90. Optus adds data sharing across eligible services on the same account and SubHub subscription credits on selected plans, which suits households juggling streaming services. Optus prepaid works on 28-day cycles instead, with SIMs such as the $40 recharge sold through its prepaid range.
Telstra: You Pay for Coverage
Telstra’s Upfront range is the premium option: $74 for 50GB (Basic), $84 for 180GB (Essential) and $99 for 300GB (Premium). There is no lock-in, no excess data charges, and you can change plan once a month. Telstra is running a new-service offer that cuts $37 to $50 a month off these prices for the first four months, ending 30 November 2026. The reason people pay Telstra prices is coverage: its network reaches about 2.14 million square kilometres, far more than the other two, which matters outside the big cities.
Which One Fits You?
City users who mostly need data should start with Vodafone’s offer pricing, because $39 to $55 buys more data than the same money at Telstra. Households that want perks and sharing should price Optus. Anyone who drives regional highways or lives outside metro areas should weigh Telstra’s coverage first and price second. And whatever you choose, diarise the date your offer price ends; the jump from $39 to $58 is where most people get caught.
See every comparison in our mobile packages hub, and read our guides to checking your remaining data and converting a SIM to 4G/5G if you are setting up a new phone.
FAQs
Which Australian telco has the best coverage?
Telstra. Its network covers roughly 2.14 million square kilometres, the largest footprint in the country, and it is the default choice for regional and rural users. Optus is second, and Vodafone’s coverage has grown since it began sharing the Optus network, though both still trail Telstra outside the cities.
What is the cheapest SIM-only plan from the big three?
Vodafone’s Small SIM Only plan at $39 a month for the first 12 months is the cheapest big-network offer right now, with 100GB of data during the offer. Keep the standard price in mind, though: after 12 months it becomes $58 a month with 65GB.
Do Australian SIM-only plans lock you into a contract?
No. Telstra Upfront, Optus Choice Plus and Vodafone SIM Only are all month-to-month or no-lock-in plans. You can change plan or leave, though any phone you are paying off on the same account still has to be paid out.
What happens when I use all my data?
On all three networks, nothing scary: there are no excess data charges on these plans. Your speed is simply reduced until the next billing cycle. Vodafone states speeds of up to 2Mbps after your full-speed allowance, which still handles browsing, messaging and music streaming.
Last verified: November 2026
