Last updated: 25 June 2023
While travelling, many of us find ourselves in need of making just a few local calls and the rest of the time we’re online to update Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts with pictures of Uluru and Bondi beach. Times like this, it’s often better to buy a local SIM card for your phone so you don’t suffer any unnecessary roaming charges.
Many carriers nowadays offer special deals to their customers, perhaps for $5/day you can roam without racking up a huge bill. However this isn’t the case everywhere. Be sure you know the roaming rules before you leave your home country.
Here are some tips to getting a prepaid SIM in Australia:
Telco Providers
There are three main phone providers in Australia.
Telstra
The big boy of the playing field. Telstra is the original Telecom providing and supplying all of Australia’s copper phone lines. They now dominate the market in terms of coverage and in rural areas. Their prepaid plans are OK but you tend to get less data than other providers for the same price or more.
Optus
Second biggest player in the Australian market. Hosting good coverage across regional areas they tend to be more affordable than Telstra.
Vodafone
Affordable and offer good casual user options. Good coverage in metro areas however coverage can be patchy when you start going into regional areas. Going country? Forget it.
The Rest
There are numerous offshoots, subsidiaries and affiliates of the big 3 providers. These can be beneficial to a casual user as they tend to hang off the parent network but provide a cheaper alternative). Check out: Amaysim, Boost, Virgin. Even the big supermarkets now offer their own plans. Coles, Woolworths even Aldi are in the prepaid market.
Which is the best?
Well, none! As individual needs vary so does the answer. For some, price is the biggest factor, others plan to drive to Alice Springs so coverage is the most important factor. The Australian market is extremely competitive so do your research, especially check coverage maps for each provider. Prices can change often.
How to get a SIM Card in Australia
In Australia, by law certain details must be sighted and recorded on form when a customer purchases a prepaid SIM. Remember to take your passport with you as proof of ID.
Where can I buy a SIM card?
Depends on the phone provider you want to go with. If you’re not picky, then any major supermarket, any post office can help you. Most shopping centres have actual providers (see above) retail shops where you can also buy one.
If you’re flying into Sydney Airport (SYD), Optus and Vodafone also have outlets at Terminal 1.
Data usage
If your phone enables data usage monitoring feature, use it. It’ll help you keep track of how much data you’re using. Although you’re prepaid and won’t suffer any additional charges, you don’t want to use all your allocation in one week.
What do I do when I’m ready to go home?
Just take your SIM with you, or break it into pieces. I don’t recommend you give it to anyone because your details were recorded when you bought it. Any illegal activity conducted on the number can be tracked back to you.
