A SIM card for Australia: Where to buy one and the best options

Why should you get a SIM card for Australia?

Getting a SIM card for Australia can help you avoid expensive roaming fees and stay connected to the internet during your trip. And if you think you won’t need data on your Australian vacation, think again. While you don’t want to spend your entire trip glued to your phone, you’ll still need internet for various situations, such as getting directions, looking up the best restaurants, finding public transit schedules, and posting to social media. 

To fully understand why you should get a prepaid SIM card for Australia, let’s compare five options for staying connected while you are abroad:

• International roaming. Using roaming in Australia is the simplest option, but it carries a high price tag. International roaming is a deal your home mobile provider makes with a local Australian carrier to allow your phone to access data while abroad. Your home provider will often charge high fees for this convenience, so it’s not practical for travelers on a budget.

• Public Wi-Fi. Connecting to public Wi-Fi is free and easy, but it comes with serious drawbacks. First of all, you may struggle to find a network when you need it. If you’re exploring the outback and need directions, you may be completely out of luck! Most importantly, public Wi-Fi may expose you to cyber threats. If you have to connect to a public Wi-Fi network (even if it’s your hotel’s Wi-Fi), we strongly recommend using a VPN for extra protection.

• Pocket Wi-Fi. Getting pocket Wi-Fi in Australia gives you the convenience of Wi-Fi with an extra layer of security. Pocket Wi-Fi is a portable device that you rent to act as a mobile hotspot. While pocket Wi-Fi is generally cheaper than international roaming, it can still carry a hefty price tag, and if you lose or damage your device, you’ll be on the hook for replacing it. Not to mention, your pocket Wi-Fi has a limited battery life, and if you forget to charge your device before you head out, you may find yourself without a connection for the whole day.

• A SIM card for Australia. An Australian SIM card allows your phone to connect to an Australian mobile provider’s network, just as if you were a local customer. SIM cards offer reasonable prices for data, calls, and texts while also giving you access to better coverage and higher data speeds. 

• An eSIM for Australia. An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you connect to Australian mobile networks without swapping physical cards. You can install it before you leave, activate it instantly upon arrival, and enjoy reliable data at much lower prices than roaming.

The best SIM card providers in Australia

So you need an Australian SIM card, but which provider should you choose? Selecting the best SIM card for Australia will depend on your individual needs, such as your destination, the length of your stay, your budget, and your typical data usage.

Telstra: Ideal for balanced value and coverage

Telstra is Australia’s largest telecommunications provider, so no matter where you are in the country, you’ll get strong coverage at reasonable prices. On top of getting reliable access to 4G and 5G speeds, Telstra’s Australia prepaid SIM cards all come with unlimited calls and texts to Australian numbers, so you won’t have any trouble reaching your Australian friends or making dinner reservations.

Telstra offers various prepaid SIM cards for Australia:

• 5 GB for 7 days (AU$13/US$8.75)

• 45 GB for 28 days (AU$39/US$26.24)

• 65 GB for 28 days (AU$49/US$32.97)

• 85 GB for 28 days (AU$59/US$39.70)

• 110 GB for 28 days (AU$69/US$46.42) 

While Telstra is more expensive than other Australian providers, its strong coverage throughout the entire country makes it the best SIM card in Australia for most visitors.

Optus: Great for frequent travelers

Optus is a major Australian telecommunications provider, and it offers a variety of prepaid SIM cards with unlimited minutes and text messages to Australian numbers. Optus has strong 4G and 5G coverage in urban areas, but if you’re planning to drive down the outback’s Red Centre Way, the service might get spotty.

Optus has a selection of prepaid SIM cards for Australia in its offer:

• 5 GB for 7 days (AU$13/US$8.75)

• 60 GB for 28 days (AU$35/US$23.55)

• 65 GB for 28 days (AU$39/US$26.24)

• 90 GB for 28 days (AU$49/US$32.97)

• 110 GB for 28 days (AU$59/US$39.70)

For short trips, Optus only offers the 7-day 5 GB plan, but if you travel to Australia frequently, the 28-day plans can be a great option, especially with Optus’s data rollover policy. If you don’t use up your data allowance, up to 200 GB can roll over to the next month.

Vodafone: Great for short trips

Vodafone is a major international mobile carrier, and if you already have a Vodafone plan, you can get a prepaid Australian SIM card with the provider you already know and trust. However, Vodafone can be the best SIM card in Australia for tourists from anywhere because it offers various short-term options, such as: 

• 1 GB for 7 days for US$13. 

• 3 GB for 15 days for US$29.50. 

• 10 GB for 30 days for US$80.

If you’re planning a longer stay Down Under, Vodafone also offers monthly prepaid Australia SIM plans that, like Optus, offer data rollover up to 200 GB:

• 70 GB for 28 days for $35 AUD/month (US$23.55)

• 100 GB for 28 days for AU$45/month (US$30.28)

• 125 GB for 28 days for AU$55/month (US$37)

Vodafone has a strong 4G network in Australia and a growing 5G coverage. If your trip is focused on major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, you’ll have a strong signal, but service could get spotty in the outback.

TPG Telecom: A great budget option

TPG Telecom offers cost-effective SIM cards for budget-conscious travelers. All TPG Telecom plans include unlimited calls and texts to Australian numbers and international minutes and texts to 31 different countries, which makes it even easier to contact your friends and family back home.

TPG Telecom has only monthly plans in its offer. However, if you’re buying a tourist SIM card from TPG Telecom for the first time, you’re a “new customer,” which means you get a special discount for the first six months:

• 25 GB (4G network only, speeds up to 150 Mbps) + 100 international minutes and SMS for AU$12.50/month (US$8.41)

• 50 GB (5G network, speeds up to 150 Mbps) + unlimited international calling and SMS for AU$17.50/month (US$11.77)

• 100 GB (5G network, speeds up to 250 Mbps) + unlimited international calling and SMS for AU$22.50/month (US$15.14)

It’s important to note that you can’t buy a TPG Telecom SIM card in person. TPG Telecom keeps operating costs down by being an online-only retailer, so you need to get your SIM card before the trip. TPG Telecom also uses Vodafone’s network, meaning that your coverage will be the same as for a Vodafone SIM card.

Here’s a table to help you compare providers and find the best SIM card for Australia, depending on your unique needs: 

Note: This data was collected in January 2026. Check the providers’ websites for the most up-to-date pricing.

How much do SIM cards cost in Australia?

The cost of a SIM card in Australia can range anywhere from US$8 to US$80, depending on your specific provider, data allowance, and plan duration.

• 7-day tourist SIM cards typically cost around US$13. 

• 28-day tourist SIM cards generally range from US$23.55 to US$46.42.

• Local monthly SIM cards can cost between US$8 and US$39.70 per month.

Where to buy a SIM card in Australia

If you’re looking to buy a SIM card in Australia, you have a few options.

At the airport

One of the most convenient places to pick up an Australian SIM card is the airport. Here’s a breakdown of where to buy a SIM card at four of Australia’s major airports:

• Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. Both arrivals halls (A and B) at Sydney Airport have multiple kiosks of major Australian SIM providers, like Optus and Vodafone.

• Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine Airport). In the Terminal 2 arrivals hall at the Melbourne Airport, you will find the Welcome Centre, which sells Telstra SIM cards, as well as the official Optus and Vodafone stores. If your flight arrives late at night, you can find a 24/7 Optus SIM card vending machine near the shop.

• Brisbane Airport. Brisbane Airport’s international terminal has a Vodafone store and an Optus store.

• Perth Airport. At the Perth Airport, you’ll find retail locations for Vodafone and Optus (which operates 24/7).

Buying a SIM card at the airport may be the most convenient option, but it’s not always the most cost-effective. Many providers charge higher rates at the airport than in their retail locations.

In local stores

If you can wait to grab your Australia SIM card in town, you’ll have plenty of options. Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone all have multiple retail locations in major cities and shopping malls. You can also pick up prepaid Australian SIM cards at convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Woolworths, and JB Hi-Fi. 

A mobile provider’s store will have helpful staff who can walk you through your options and help you find the best SIM card in Australia for your data needs and trip length. However, convenience stores offer a quick, easy way to get your Australian SIM.

Online

You can also order a SIM card for Australia online before your trip. Many local providers, like Vodafone and TPG Telecom, offer online ordering, but you can also look for travel SIM providers like Simify. When you order online, you can either have the SIM card shipped to your home address, the airport, or your hotel. If you opt to have it shipped to your house, make sure you give yourself plenty of time so that your SIM card doesn’t arrive after your departure!

The easiest way to buy an Australian travel SIM card online, however, doesn’t involve a physical SIM. It’s actually an eSIM! You can buy an eSIM online at any point in your trip without having to worry about shipping or inflated fees.

Consider an eSIM for Australia

An eSIM is a virtual alternative to physical SIM cards. eSIMs use pre-installed technology in your smartphone to allow you to connect to an international network, without the need for swapping out a card.

With an eSIM for Australia, you can:

• Save money thanks to reasonable prices and flexible data plans that meet your unique needs.

• Easily monitor your data usage and top up online if necessary.

• Avoid the risk of lost, stolen, or damaged SIM cards.

• Get the option to use the same eSIM for Asia and Oceania for multi-country trips.

And when it comes to choosing an eSIM service for international travel to Australia, Saily is a great option. Saily’s data plans for Australia start at just US$3.99 for 7 days, and they offer reliable coverage, high data speeds, and enhanced security.

Quick recap: How to stay connected in Australia

If you want to stay connected on your next trip to Australia, you have a couple of options to choose from. You can buy a local Australian SIM card or rent a pocket Wi-Fi device, but for most travelers, an eSIM is the best choice. An eSIM for Australia gives you the best, most reliable, and most cost-effective way to get the data you need.