Prepaid SIM card for Australia: Where to Buy in 2023?

Australia is a place most people want to visit. Whether it is for its beaches or the country’s fauna, it is a destination people truly love to visit. Therefore, people must stay communicated as much as possible when traveling there. How can they do it? With a prepaid SIM card for Australia!

Today we will talk about the Australia SIM card and all its features. That way, you will know how to get one, where to get it, and other important information that can help you to stay communicated while traveling. 

Also, if you have a compatible cell phone with eSIMs, then you could get an eSIM for Australia. This is the evolution of physical SIM cards, which are completely virtual. We will be talking to you more in detail about these virtual SIMs.

Where can I buy a SIM card for Australia?

This is the most frequent question people ask. It is fair to say that not everyone knows where to get one, so let’s see the options.

• In an online store: For example, you can get your SIM card through an online store within minutes and activate it on your cellphone.
• Physical stores: Another option for people to buy their SIM cards is a physical store that they can surely find while traveling. These stores can be found around the city or at the airport.
• In case you want to try something different, there’s always an option to use an eSIM.

Buy before you travel.

A trend that is here to stay is virtual shopping. Nowadays, there are many virtual stores where you can buy anything you need, including prepaid SIM cards for your trip. And this is the way you can buy a SIM card before your trip starts so that you can get a good service in advance.

However, you can not only buy physical SIM cards because currently there are advantageous virtual SIM cards, which have benefits and features very similar to physical cards, but as the name says, they are completely virtual. This makes it much easier to acquire them since you can do it from anywhere in the world and at any time. But we will talk about this innovative service in detail later.

To buy a SIM card, either a physical or virtual card, you will first have to choose a reliable store whose process is simple. In this case, if you would like to purchase a virtual SIM card, we would recommend Holafly as your trusted store. On the other hand, you must also have one of the payment methods required to make virtual purchases, most of which tend to be credit cards, Google or Apple Pay, and even PayPal.

Pros of buying a data plan for abroad before traveling

• Internet the moment you land

If you buy your SIM card in advance, you’ll be able to use the internet as soon as your plane lands in Australia. You’ll be able to text your relatives to let them know you’re safe and get a speedy taxi or Uber from the airport this way. It will also save you time if you have internet connectivity arranged before you travel because you won’t need to look for cellular stores or stand in line at airport shops. You can start your journey right away.

• Includes good data plans

Some providers offer good data plans, so you’ll never need to worry about being left without connectivity. However, it is important that you verify that you will connect to a good internet network so that you can have a stable and fast internet connection.

• Get ahead of situations.

As you will make the purchase and set up before you arrive in Australia, you will be able to resolve any issues with your phone or SIM card from home and not when you are already in a city you may not know.

Buy your tourist SIM card in Australia.

On the other hand, if you are the type of person who prefers to make your purchases in person, or simply does not have the necessary payment methods to buy online, then let us tell you about the other option you have to buy a SIM card for Australia. In this case, we are talking about making your purchase directly in Australia once you arrive, through the different mobile operators.

However, with this option, you will have to wait to buy the SIM card to be able to connect to the internet, so you will spend some minutes without an internet connection unless you find a free wifi point. In Australia, you can buy prepaid SIM cards in the official stores of mobile operators, such as Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. These stores can be found in some airports, and in city shopping malls, among others.

Telstra

One of the first options you have to buy a prepaid SIM card for Australia as a tourist is through Telstra and its stores. This phone company has packages called prepaid starter kit accessible to visitors to the country. There are plans for short, medium and long stays, from 2GB of navigation to use in 7 days, up to 65GB to use in 28 days and a choice of 6 months or more with GB based on recharges.

In all versions the packages include unlimited calls and messages to Australian numbers as well as access to 4G and 5G networks. If you use the My Telstra service you will be able to set up auto-renewal of your selected package. Finally, these packages have rollover up to 200GB if you recharge before the expiration of the plan, so the unused data is transferred to the next period.

Optus

let’s talk about another alternative. This company has a whole section in its services aimed at prepaid customers, so if you visit the country, you can purchase their Optus Flex plans. They have options from 7GB for 7 days, 30 GB or 40 GB to use in 30 days, and even options with annual subscriptions. In any of the cases, the company offers free delivery within the country with a maximum of five days lead time.

All their packages include unlimited calls and messages to Australian numbers and reduced minutes for international calls within some destinations. You have the possibility of rollover up to 200GB if your payment is on time. It is important to mention that you must have an ID to activate the SIM card, and you must also have the Optus app to manage your service. SIM cards have access to a 4G network, you can also pay a higher amount for a 5G network, but this has coverage in certain areas that you can check on the website of the company.

Vodafone SIM card

The well-known international phone company also has a branch with operations in Australia, and within their products, they have three options of prepaid SIM cards for tourists. These options are 40GB, 50Gb, or 60GB to be used in 28 days and with 4G or 5G connection speeds, depending on the area. After you use this data, you will be able to continue browsing but at a reduced speed of 1.5Mbps.

Unlimited calls and messages to Australian numbers are also included, as well as international calls to some areas that you can check on their website. You can choose to activate the auto-renewal of your plan; in case you don’t want to top up you will have to do it manually. The activation of the prepaid SIM card can be done online or at Vodafone nationwide stores. If you’re activating your prepaid service online, you’ll need a credit or debit card along with a valid form of ID.

How much does a prepaid SIM card for internet in Australia cost?

There is no doubt that there are many plans available with each of the local carriers in Australia as well as a wide range of prices. Telecommunications are not exactly cheap in the country compared to other destinations.

For this reason, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $60 for 30-day data packages suitable for most stays. In case your trip takes you to spend more time in Australia, there are options from $150 to $300 for six or 12-month prepaid subscriptions. If you still can’t find a suitable plan for you or if you want to move up to the new eSIM technology, we invite you to check out what Holafly has to offer.

Holafly eSIM for Australia: a great alternative

Time to talk about something that people have to know, especially those who travel a lot. Let’s see what we can expect from the eSIM card, what benefits people can get while using one, and especially what people can get if they choose Holafly as their eSIM provider.

In resume, eSIM cards are basically normal SIM cards, but they are entirely digital and primarily work on last-gen devices. So, let’s see why we say it is a great alternative for people to use a Holafly eSIM Australia. In order for you to have a better understanding of the advance that this represents in telecommunications, we will mention more of its characteristics below.

Advantages and disadvantages of Virtual SIM cards

The best way to learn about a new technology is through its advantages and disadvantages as we can see here.

Advantages:

• You won’t have to wait.

Being fully virtual your purchase and subsequent activation of the eSIM can take just a few minutes and a few clicks. In Holafly’s online store you search for Australia as your destination, choose one of the available plans and after making your payment you will receive your eSIM through a QR code to your email.

• From anywhere

You only need an internet connection and a device such as a PC or laptop to access the Holafly store. From your home or even if you are already in Australia you can make the purchase without problems through different payment methods such as credit or debit card, even paypal an google or apple pay.

• An option to save money

You can save on shipping costs in addition to the cost of a physical SIM card itself. Not only this, eSIMs have much lower rates than international roaming services or if you choose to buy a pocket wifi for this destination.

Disadvantages:

• Not all phones available

As we mentioned in the introduction, virtual SIM cards are available in the latest generation of phones. The process of incorporation of the technology is taking faster and faster nowadays. If you want to confirm the compatibility of your phone you can use this list of eligible phones.

How much does a Holafly eSIM card for Australia cost?

Let’s see how much an eSIM for Australia costs.

As we told you before, the eSIM is quite cheaper than using a normal roaming service!

Frequently asked questions about SIM cards for Australia