Australia International Student Mobile and Data Plans: Stay Connected, Hassle Free

Australia’s buzzing telecommunications market is packed with excellent data plans perfect for international students. Big players like Telstra, Optus and Vodafone own the networks, while budget-friendly Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) like amaysim, ALDI Mobile and Kogan Mobile lease them from the major providers.

However, MVNOs often offer the same reliable coverage as the major networks but at a lower price, making them a budget-friendly option for students and short-term visitors. Think of them as the savvy middlemen of the mobile world!

The secret to finding the best plan? Understand your options, pick a provider and choose a plan that balances your data needs with cost and coverage.

1. Plan Types: Prepaid vs. Postpaid

Most international students go for prepaid plans—they’re flexible, don’t require lock-in contracts or credit checks and are easy to manage.

2. Best Value MVNO Providers

MVNOs are your budget-friendly heroes. They use the same reliable networks as the big guys but at a fraction of the cost.

• amaysim (Optus network): Competitive monthly deals with generous data allowances. Starts from A$30/28 days for a 32GB data with unlimited standard international talk and text to 28 countries including China, India and Singapore*.
• ALDI Mobile (Telstra network): Great coverage and simple, value-packed plans. Starts from A$23/30 days for a 12GB data plan with unlimited standard calls to Australian fixed lines and standard Australian mobiles*.
• Kogan Mobile (Vodafone network): Long-expiry plans (6 or 12 months) with big savings. Save big with their standout 365-day plan at A$189 for a whooping 500GB data*. This works out to be A$15.75 per month for an average of 41GB data per month.
• Felix Mobile (Vodafone network): Unlimited data at one speed—perfect for heavy users. Offers A$40/month for unlimited mobile data*.

3. Key Considerations For Students

• Coverage: Telstra shines outside of Australia’s major cities, while Optus and Vodafone dominate metropolitan areas (cities like Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra etc.).
• International Calls: Many plans include unlimited calls to select countries—check the provider’s list. For example, Optus’s A$39 monthly plan gives you 400 minutes of international standard calls to places like mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, the USA and Vietnam.
• Data Rollover: Some providers let you save unused data for the next month, a feature often referred to as a “data bank”.
• University and Student Accommodation Wi-Fi: Most campuses and student accommodations offer free, high-speed Wi-Fi, so you might not need a huge data plan.

4. Typical Recommended Plans (Monthly Prepaid)

Here’s what you can expect:

5. How To Get Started

1. Arrive in Australia: You’ll need your passport to buy a SIM card.
2. Buy a SIM: Grab one at the airport, supermarkets (Woolworths or Coles), convenience stores or telco shops.
3. Activate Online: Follow the provider’s instructions to get connected.

*Note: All pricing and features are as of 18 November 2025. Do check out the individual websites for more options and latest promotions provided by each operator.