Best Phone Plans for Students
Compare Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone plans
Transparency Notice: VisaMate may earn a commission when you activate a plan through our links. This helps keep our guides free. We compare all major providers fairly so you can choose what's best for you.
Get Extra Value on Your First Plan
When you activate through VisaMate, you may receive exclusive student offers and bonuses!
- • First month discounts - Save on your initial activation (when available)
- • Bonus data - Extra GB for VisaMate students on select plans
- • Cashback opportunities - We share commission on eligible activations
* Offers vary by provider and promotion period. Check provider's site when you click through for current deals.
✓ Good News! Australian phone plans are flexible and affordable for students. Expect to pay $30-60/month for good data and calls. All providers offer SIM-only plans with no lock-in contracts.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Telstra | Optus | Vodafone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Plan Cost | $40-60/mo | $30-50/mo | $25-45/mo |
| Network Coverage | Best (99.5%) | Excellent (98.5%) | Good (96%) |
| Typical Data | 40-80GB | 40-100GB | 40-100GB |
| 5G Available | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| International Calls | Add-on | Included | Included |
| Contract Required | No | No | No |
Optus
Popular Student Choice
Optus is the most popular choice among international students, offering great value with excellent data allowances and included international calls to select countries. Good network coverage in cities and campuses.
Student Saver Plan
$35/mo- ✓ 60GB data (rollover unused)
- ✓ Unlimited calls & texts in Australia
- ✓ International calls to 35+ countries included
- ✓ 5G network access
- ✓ No lock-in contract
*Prices as of December 2025
Why Students Choose Optus
- ✓Best value for money (data per dollar)
- ✓Free international calls to India, China, Nepal, Vietnam, etc.
- ✓Data rollover (unused data carries over)
- ✓98.5% network coverage
- ✓Student discounts available
- ✓Easy activation in-store or online
Things to Know
- •Coverage weaker in remote/rural areas
- •International calls limited to select countries
- •5G not available everywhere
- •Need Australian ID for postpaid plans
Best for: Students who need generous data, make regular calls home to Asia, and want the best value. Perfect if you're studying in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or other major cities.
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Telstra
Australia's Largest Network
Telstra has the best network coverage in Australia (99.5%), making it ideal if you'll be traveling to regional areas or want the most reliable connection. Premium pricing but premium service.
Basic Plan (SIM Only)
$58/mo- ✓ 80GB data
- ✓ Unlimited calls & texts in Australia
- ✓ 99.5% network coverage (best in Australia)
- ✓ 5G access included
- ✓ International call packs available
- ✓ Month-to-month (no lock-in)
*Premium pricing for premium coverage
Why Choose Telstra
- ✓Best network coverage in Australia (99.5%)
- ✓Works in remote and regional areas
- ✓Fastest 5G speeds
- ✓Most reliable for travel
- ✓24/7 customer support
- ✓Telstra Air WiFi hotspots nationwide
Things to Know
- •Most expensive provider ($15-20 more than others)
- •International calls cost extra
- •Fewer student-specific discounts
- •Overkill if you stay in cities only
Best for: Students who travel to regional Australia, want guaranteed coverage everywhere, or need the most reliable network for important calls/video meetings. Worth the premium if you value reliability.
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Vodafone
Best Value Budget Option
Vodafone offers the most affordable plans with generous data and included international features. Network coverage is good in cities and improving. Great choice for budget-conscious students.
$40 Lite Plus Plan
$40/mo- ✓ 100GB data (best value!)
- ✓ Unlimited calls & texts in Australia
- ✓ International calls to 50+ countries
- ✓ 5G network included
- ✓ No lock-in contract
- ✓ First month sometimes discounted
*Best GB per dollar ratio
Why Choose Vodafone
- ✓Most data for your money (100GB at $40)
- ✓International calls to 50+ countries included
- ✓Often have new customer promotions
- ✓Good coverage in major cities
- ✓Improving network with 5G rollout
- ✓Flexible plans, easy to change
Things to Know
- •Network coverage weaker than Telstra/Optus (96%)
- •May have dead spots in some suburbs
- •Less reliable in regional areas
- •Customer service can be slower
Best for: Budget-conscious students who stay in major cities and want maximum data. Perfect if you're in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane metro areas and prioritize value over coverage.
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Which Plan Should You Choose?
Choose Optus if...
- ✓ You want best overall value
- ✓ You call home often (Asia)
- ✓ You stay in cities mostly
- ✓ You want data rollover
- ✓ You're budget-conscious but want reliability
Choose Telstra if...
- ✓ You travel to regional areas
- ✓ You need 100% reliable coverage
- ✓ Budget isn't your main concern
- ✓ You value premium service
- ✓ You're going on road trips
Choose Vodafone if...
- ✓ Budget is your top priority
- ✓ You use lots of data
- ✓ You stay in major cities only
- ✓ You're okay with some coverage gaps
- ✓ You want 100GB for $40
Prepaid vs Postpaid Plans
Prepaid (Pay in Advance)
Pay upfront each month. No credit check, no bills, no surprises. Best for most students.
- ✓No credit check required
- ✓Can activate immediately when you arrive
- ✓No surprise bills
- ✓Easy to cancel anytime
- ✗Must remember to recharge
Recommended for: New arrivals, students without Australian credit history, anyone who wants flexibility.
Postpaid (Pay After)
Get billed monthly after using services. Requires ID and credit check. Better for long-term residents.
- ✓Auto-payment (set and forget)
- ✓Sometimes better deals/bonuses
- ✓Can get phone on payment plan
- ✗Needs Australian ID and credit check
- ✗Risk of unexpected charges
Recommended for: Students who've been in Australia 6+ months with bank account and ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a SIM card when I arrive?
Buy one at the airport (kiosks available), any provider store (Telstra/Optus/Vodafone shops), or retailers like Woolworths, Coles, 7-Eleven. Bring your passport for ID. Activation takes 10-30 minutes.
Can I keep my home country phone number?
Not on an Australian SIM. You'll get a new Australian number (+61). Use WhatsApp, WeChat, or similar apps to stay connected with your old number for messaging.
How much data do I need?
Most students use 40-80GB per month. If you use WiFi at home and university, 40GB is enough. If you stream videos on mobile data or hotspot your laptop, get 80-100GB.
Are international calls included?
Optus and Vodafone include international calls to select countries (India, China, Nepal, Vietnam, etc.). Telstra charges extra. Check if your home country is covered, or use WhatsApp/Skype instead.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes! All prepaid plans have no contract - just don't recharge next month and it automatically cancels. Postpaid plans may require 30 days notice, check terms.
What if I run out of data?
Your data stops working but calls/texts still work. You can buy data add-ons ($10 for 5-10GB) or upgrade your plan mid-month. Most providers have apps to track usage.
Ready to Get Connected?
Choose the plan that fits your budget and needs. All providers offer excellent service!
💡 Pro Tip: Get a SIM card at the airport when you land so you can use maps and contact people immediately!