SIM Card Guides

Australia SIM card guide: How and where to buy one

Using an Australia SIM card is a simple and reliable way to stay connected in the country. Find out more about the top options and what they have to offer.

Sharks, crocodiles, spiders, and excessive roaming charges — there’s no shortage of scary stuff in Australia. Thankfully, roaming doesn’t have to be an issue, since you can use travel SIM cards for Australia or eSIMs to stay connected at an affordable price.

Follow along as we take a look at the best Australia SIM card options, their features, pricing, and introduce Holafly, a top eSIM option for Australia.

In this article

How much does an Australian SIM card cost?

A prepaid SIM card for the internet in Australia can cost anywhere from USD $15 to $60, depending on the amount of data, calls, and texts you need. If you’re staying in Australia for a while, you can find options with a 12-month validity period and larger data allowances priced at around $130 to $320.

Where can I buy a SIM card for Australia?

Whether you want to prepare for your trip in advance and buy one online, or get your card after you land in Australia, let’s take a look at some of the best ways to get a physical SIM card for Australia.

Buy online in advance: You can order your SIM card for Australia online and have it delivered to your home, hotel, or the airport you’ll land in. These options are offered both by local network providers and travel SIM retailers.
Buy once you land: Prepaid SIM cards are widely available in Australia. All major cell service providers have shops in Australia’s international airports, dedicated customer centers, and even shopping malls throughout Australia.
Buy an eSIM instead: When it comes to eSIMs vs physical SIM cards, eSIMs offer more convenience since it’s a completely digital product. You can simply buy, set up, and activate your eSIM online and get connected within minutes. All you need is an internet connection and an eSIM-compatible phone.

Requirements for buying a SIM card in Australia

You’ll need a valid form of ID, such as a passport or your ID card, when buying a physical SIM card in Australia or ordering one online. To get a postpaid plan, you might also need to provide an Australian address that you’re staying at, though that’s usually not required for tourist SIMS.

If you buy a travel eSIM, such as Holafly, you won’t need an ID. Simply make your purchase online and get connected.

Best SIM cards in Australia

Australia’s biggest telecom companies, such as Telstra, TPG, Superloop, Optus, and Vodafone, all have travel SIM options for tourists visiting Australia. Let’s take a look at some of the top options available on the market today.

TPG Telecom SIM for Australia

TPG Telecom is a widely used provider in Australia, known for its broadband and mobile services. They offer mobile SIM plans with no lock-in contracts, and typically with unlimited standard calls and texts.

Their most popular monthly SIM plans include:

25 GB for $12.50 AUD ($8.25 USD)
50 GB for $17.50 AUD ($11.50 USD)
100 GB for $22.50AUD ($14.85 USD)

It’s worth noting that TPG Telecom only sells its SIM cards online. Therefore, you won’t find any physical locations at the airport or in Australia’s cities.

Superloop Australia SIMs

Superloop is a relatively new player in the Australian telecommunications market that offers plenty of SIM plan options. All of their SIMs operate on the Optus mobile network, ensuring reliable connectivity throughout Australia.

All cards allow local and international calls and texts, with unlimited minutes and messages in Australia and 15 other countries. The only difference between the plans is the data allowance on offer.

15 GB for $25 AUD ($16.30 USD)
35 GB for $35 AUD ($22.80 USD)
60 GB for $40 AUD ($36.30 USD)
100 GB for $50 AUD ($33 USD)
150 GB for $60 AUD ($39.15 USD)

All plans offer unused data rollover up to 1000 GB, so if you’re using your SIM for a while and don’t use all of your data, it simply transfers over to the next month.

Telstra Telecommunications SIMs

Telstra Network is one of the leading Australian mobile providers, so it’s no surprise that Telstra also offers some of the best prepaid SIM card options. It also shares its network with other notable travel SIM providers in Australia, such as Boost Mobile.

Besides having one of the country’s most reliable mobile networks, it also offers a prepaid SIM starter kit, accessible to all visitors.

Activating Telstra’s packages will get you unlimited calls and messages to Australian numbers as well as access to 4G and 5G networks for speedy internet access.

Telstra’s four main plans include:

55 GB $39 AUD ($25.50 USD)
80 GB for $49 AUD ($32 USD)
100 GB for $59 AUD ($38.50 USD)
125 GB for $69 AUD ($45 USD)

The data allowances mentioned above all include an activation bonus, which ranges from 40 GB to 65 GB depending on the plan. It’s great if you only need the card for a month or less, but keep in mind that your data usage limit would be significantly smaller for every month after that.

Optus SIM cards

Optus is another major telecommunications provider that offers tourist SIM cards in Australia. It has a whole selection of services aimed at prepaid customers. Conveniently, you’ll be able to find their official stores in major cities and airports.

Their prepaid SIM packages include unlimited calls and messages to Australian numbers and limited minutes for international calls to some destinations. It’s important to mention that you must have an ID to activate an Optus SIM card and the Optus app to manage your service.

Optus’ prepaid SIM plans include:

5GB for 7 days for $13 AUD ($8.50 USD)
40 GB for 28 days for $35 AUD ($22.80 USD)
45 GB for 28 days for $39 AUD ($25.50 USD)
65 GB for 28 days for $49 AUD ($32 USD)
85 GB for 28 days for $59 AUD ($38.50 USD)
140 GB for 186 days for $180 AUD ($117.50 USD)
300 GB for 365 days for $350 AUD ($228.40 USD)

All plans also have data rollover up to 200 GB, so you can save some data one month if you know you’ll be needing more during the next one. These plans also have a capped download speed, but with the maximum potential download speed set at 250 Mbps, you’re not going to suffer from slow internet.

Vodafone SIM cards

The well-known international phone company Vodafone also operates in Australia, with plenty of prepaid SIM cards for tourists. Travelers can choose from 4G and 5G connection speeds depending on the area.

Their options also include unlimited calls and messages to Australian numbers and data rollover up to 200 GB.

The options currently available are as follows:

6 GB for 7 days for $12 AUD ($7.80 USD)
75 GB for 28 days for $35 AUD ($22.80 USD)
105 GB for 28 days for $45 AUD ($29.40 USD)
150 GB for 28 days for $55 AUD ($35.90 USD)
140 GB for 185 days for $160 AUD ($104.40 USD)
220 GB for 365 days for $250 AUD ($163.15 USD)
320 GB for 365 days for $320 AUD ($208.80 USD)

Much like with Telstra’s plans, the data allowance only applies for the first few months. If you decide to use the card for a while longer, you’ll get less data for the same price with some plans.

Can I use an American SIM card in Australia?

Yes, you can use your regular American SIM card in Australia thanks to international roaming. Your cell service provider has agreements with other mobile network providers in Australia, which allow you to connect to local networks in Australia with your regular SIM card.

So, why even buy a travel SIM in the first place? Well, data roaming, calls, and texts from your regular plan can be much more expensive than a travel SIM. That said, it all depends on the roaming options your provider offers. So, make sure to check roaming plans and rates by your regular provider, and if the price is right for you, you might not need a separate SIM after all.

Holafly eSIM for Australia: Unlimited data and fast setup

Need a convenient and affordable way to stay connected in Australia? The Holafly eSIM service offers complete peace of mind with unlimited data plans, 24/7 customer support, and up to 500 MB of data sharing daily. Much like with international roaming, you get reliable network coverage from top local service providers while using the eSIM.

The prices for Holafly’s eSIM for Australia range from AUD $2 to $10/day ($1.55 to $5.90 USD), depending on the duration of your plan. You can choose any validity period from 1 to 90 days to match your digital SIM with your stay and avoid paying for any unnecessary days. Holafly works on all eSIM-compatible mobile phones and other compatible devices.

Travel frequently? Holafly Plans is a monthly eSIM subscription service that gives up to 5G speeds in 170+ global destinations, all under one plan. With no contracts or local ID needed, it’s the perfect solution for digital nomads or frequent travelers.

The prices range from USD $39.90 to $64.90 (AUD $61.50 to), with data allowances ranging from 10 GB/month to unlimited data. Simply choose the one that suits you best, use it to stay connected for as long as you need, and cancel any time at no extra cost.

Have more international trips in your plans? Check out our travel SIM card articles for every region!

Plans that may interest you

Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

Read full bio