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How to get mobile internet in Australia: Best options
Mobile internet in Australia doesn’t have to be expensive. Discover how you can get easy, cheap and unlimited internet for a worry-free vacation.
When visiting Australia, you won’t need the internet to translate things, but you’ll need it to look for addresses, work abroad, or upload an Instagram picture.
That said, there are different options to stay connected abroad, such as international roaming, using a local SIM card, an eSIM, or relying on public WiFi, but which one is best?
Let’s explore the different ways to get mobile internet in Australia, focusing on the Holafly travel eSIM and comparing it with other options to help you choose the best one for you.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
Holafly eSIM for Australia: Unlimited data in Australia
If you have an eSIM-compatible phone, and you want to ensure you’ll get internet as soon as you land, Holafly is your best option.
With the Holafly eSIM for Australia, you get unlimited data, 24/7 customer support, 5G data speeds, up to 1 GB of hotspot sharing per day, and a secure, private connection.
Pricing starts at $3.90 for a day, but gets lower the longer you stay. On a 90-day trip, you end up paying $1.55 per day, much lower than roaming services or a pocket WiFi.
Local SIM card for Australia
If you have a SIM-only phone, your best option to get internet in Australia is to use a local SIM card.
There are five mobile providers in Australia that offer SIM cards, which are Vodafone AU, Optus, Telstra, TPG, and Superloop, with prices ranging from $12.50 AUD ($8.70 USD) to $69 AUD ($48.10 USD) for fixed-data plans that last up to 28 days.
To get any of the available SIM cards for Australia, you’ll need a valid passport or ID, and you can buy these online or in-store upon arrival.
If you decide to buy in-store, you can visit convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Ezy Mart, or even third-party stores at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. However, TPG is only available to buy online.
Here’s some info about the SIM cards, pricing, and plans you can get:
| Provider | Data | Duration | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodafone AU | 6 GB to 150 GB | Up to 28 days | $12 AUD to $55 AUD (~$8.37 to $38.30 USD) |
| Optus | 15 GB to 100 GB | Up to 28 days | $20 AUD to $45 AUD (~$13.95 to $31.80 USD) |
| Telstra | 5 GB to 110 GB | Up to 28 days | $13 AUD to $59 AUD (~$9.07 to $41.10 USD) |
| TPG | 25 GB to 100 GB | 1 month | $12.50 AUD to $22.50 AUD (~$8.70 to $15.70 USD) |
| Superloop | 15 GB to 160 GB | 1 month | $25 AUD to $60 AUD (~$17.55 to $41.80 USD) |
Roaming in Australia
Mobile providers from the UK and the USA offer a variety of options for international roaming in Australia.
These include pay-as-you-go rates, with some costing over $10 for 1 GB, and roaming passes that work for 1 to 30 days.
But this will all depend on which provider you use, so let’s see how each one works.
USA roaming in Australia
Depending on your carrier, you can get free roaming in Australia. However, it’s not the case with all carriers.
Here’s how AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile roaming in Australia works.
| Carriers | Roaming passes | Pay-as-you-go |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $12 daily with unlimited data, texts, and calls | $2.05/MB, $3/minute, $0.50/text |
| Verizon | $10 daily with unlimited data, texts, and calls | $2.05/MB, $1.79/minute, $0.50/text |
| T-Mobile | Free with Better Value and Experience Beyond up to 30 GB, with lower speeds afterwards $5 to $50 for up to 30 days with up to 15 GB of high-speed data $0.01/MB, $0.25/minute, free texts with other T-Mobile plans | Use roaming passes |
UK roaming in Australia
Similar to the USA carriers, the UK roaming works with roaming passes and pay-as-you-go rates.
Here’s how O2, Three, Vodafone UK, and EE roaming works:
| Carriers | Roaming passes | Pay-as-you-go |
|---|---|---|
| Three | Free roaming on eligible Value and Complete plans £5 daily on plans without free roaming £12.50 to £60 roaming passes for up to 14 days | £10 to £31.50 per month with Auto-Renew data packs |
| Vodafone UK | Free roaming on eligible plans £6 to £7.86 daily with up to 25 GB of data, with free calls and texts on other plans | 0.12p/MB, 0.60/minute, 0.08p/text |
| EE | Free roaming on eligible plans £5 for a daily roaming pass or £25 for a 7-day pass with your local allowance on other plans | £1.80/minute, 0.60p/text, data with roaming passes |
| O2 | Free roaming on plans with O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Bolt On or O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Ultimate Bolt On £7 daily with unlimited data, texts, and calls with O2 Travel Bolt On plans £6 to £18 for up to 5 GB of mobile data, £3/minute, and £1/text on other plans | £7.20/MB, £2/minute, 0.50p/text |
Public WiFi in Australia
Free WiFi in Australia is pretty common in airports or public spaces like the Sydney Opera House, Queen Victoria Markets, and many others.
Cities like Melbourne and Canberra have a free public WiFi network called VicFreeWiFi and Cbrfree, which travelers can use as much as they need.
However, keep in mind that these free networks aren’t as safe as using a protected WiFi or personal hotspot, so try not to use them to enter financial or personal information.
Pocket WiFi in Australia
Using a pocket WiFi in Australia is a good alternative for travelers in groups or those who need to share internet with other devices, such as a laptop.
However, renting a pocket WiFi can be pretty expensive, with options like Cello Mobile costing over $100 a week, excluding delivery fees and add-ons. Plus, these usually work with limited data.
But if you plan to work remotely or share the internet in Australia, using Holafly Plans is a great option. Monthly plans range from $49.90 to $64.90, including unlimited data, coverage in over 170 destinations, high-speed 5G internet, and you only need an eSIM-compatible phone.
Plus, if you get the $64.90 plan, you also get unlimited hotspot data and a local phone number at no extra cost.
What is the best way to get internet in Australia?
The best way to get internet in Australia will depend on the traveler’s needs, but it’s fair to say that data, safety, and pricing are important things to consider.
That said, using free WiFi isn’t the ideal solution. Everyone has access to it, making it easy to steal your data without you noticing.
Roaming is cheap, but only on selected UK plans. USA roaming in Australia is pretty expensive, as 1 week can cost over $80 on roaming passes, and over $100 in a single day on pay-as-you-go plans.
That said, SIM cards and the eSIM for Australia are the best and safest options to use. But if you prefer to have an internet connection as soon as you land, the eSIM is your go-to option.
| Option | Hotspot sharing | Security | Support | Phone unlocked required | Physical installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket WiFi | Yes | Private network | Limited | No | Yes, with a password |
| Public WiFi | Yes | Open network | No | No | No |
| Local SIM | Depends on the mobile provider | Private network | Local carrier | Yes | Yes |
| Roaming | Depends on the local plan | Private network | With home carrier | No | No |
| eSIM (Holafly) | Yes | Private network | 24/7 CS | Yes | No |
So, based on your needs, both the Holafly eSIM for Australia and Holafly Plans are your best options.
Connect to the fastest networks
International eSIMs, local networks. Enjoy the best of both worlds with Holafly.
Internet in Australia: Frequently asked questions
The Holafly eSIM for Australia is the best option for staying connected around Australia. It includes unlimited data, hotspot data, and 5G speeds, so you’ll get a reliable service for as much as you need.
You can get mobile data in Australia through different services, but the best option is to use a travel eSIM from Holafly to get unlimited data during your trip.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
