1GB of internet / month would be enough for me. Don't mind buying a new sim every month. So far I found these options:
Lyca $6 for the first month with TopCashback - but I had very bad experience with them, and I'm not alone
Felix $12.50 with TopCashback (-$5)
Lebara $9 for the first month (yeah, looks like previous $7 deals are no more)
Anything cheaper?
Best alternative without looking for a new deal every month is Kogan Mobile 365 day SMALL plan
Currently $140 for 12 months
Works out at $11.67 per month
Cheaper if you get it in promo
Currently Boost $39 sim (65GB) for $13 minus $7.50 cashback via ShopBack = $5.50.
What does it mean "Upsized" on the ShopBack?
It means for a time limited period the Cashback rate is increased.
OP, are you after then cheapest introductory offers, or the cheapest long-term cost?
Some OzBargainers switch plans every few months, taking advantage of a new introductory offer as soon as their previous introductory offer runs out. Some have claimed this gives the free or almost-free mobile usage, but you need to spend time looking for the next offer, and time signing up. Whether that's worth it is debatable.
You also don't mention if you want unlimited calls, or any calls at all (some people just message through WhatsApp or similar). If so, there may be some cheap data-only plans.
If you're looking for the cheapest long-term plan with unlimited calls, look at Kogan Mobile's "small" annual plan:
https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/kogan-mobile-prepaid-voucher-co…
It is equivalent to $12.50 per month, but Kogan don't say if the $150 annual price is an introductory price, so check first (I'd email them so you have it in writing).
but Kogan don't say if the $150 annual price is an introductory price
It’s a standard price, though they typically have sales every June for EOFY and then throughout the year, and often the higher inclusion plans will end up being cheaper than this $150.
Past sales: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/deals/koganmobile.com.au
Thanks for that. I looked for the CIS for this plan, looking for the renewal cost, and it wasn't clear which CIS applied or whether the prices in the CIS were up-to-date.
often the higher inclusion plans will end up being cheaper than this $150.
I see that, and it seems like there's a deal every month - so there should be no difficulty finding one near renewal time.
Thanks again!
OP, are you after then cheapest introductory offers, or the cheapest long-term cost?
Cheapest introductory.
Some OzBargainers switch plans every few months, taking advantage of a new introductory offer as soon as their previous introductory offer runs out. Some have claimed this gives the free or almost-free mobile usage, but you need to spend time looking for the next offer, and time signing up. Whether that's worth it is debatable.
Currently I am doing exactly this, new Lebara sim every month, but now they cost $9, a bit too much. They are always available in Coles/WW, activation is always no problems, and takes just couple of minutes
You also don't mention if you want unlimited calls, or any calls at all (some people just message through WhatsApp or similar). If so, there may be some cheap data-only plans.
Don't need any included calls or sms. Something like Lebara PAYG would be perfect, if only it had a little bit of data included
I have a rather non-conventional plan that may suit you, and it appears to be even cheaper than the introductory offers listed so far.
I was recently looking through eSIM plans, looking for data-only plans, to see if I could find a plan with 1GB or less per month. And I found several, but of course your mobile phone will need to support eSIM if you want to use them.
Here's the plan: 1GB per 30 days, costing 2.15 USD. At current exchange rates, that's 3.33 AUD per 30 days.
Plan is here, from a company that says they are based in Singapore: https://esim.redteago.com/esim-australia/data-30days-1gb
It also says that you'll be using the Australian Optus network.
It says the plan can be topped up, but perhaps you should top it up every 28 days instead of every 30 days, to make sure you never miss the top-up and have the plan expire.
Presumably your mobile data gets piped through to them, so it will appear as though you are connecting to the internet in Singapore. This might cause speed problems, and could cause difficulty if you're wanting to do internet banking, as the bank may think it's a hacking attempt from overseas. Using WiFi for problematic things will avoid that problem.
I haven't done this myself, my phone doesn't support eSIM. But it's a cheap experiment if you're willing to try.
It does seem bizarre to me that Australian mobile data is cheaper from an overseas supplier, than can be bought from a local supplier. I suppose it's no different than subscribing to Netflix through India or Argentina.
I was about to suggest something similar if esim is an option. For what OP wants to achieve I would…
Get an Amaysim starter kit from Woolies or Coles and activate it with AYG data. Usual deals are $10 for the $30 credit kit or $15 for the $40 kit… credit lasts a year and can rollover when topped up. This way, they can receive and make the odd call/SMS. Can disregard if they don't need calls/sms at all.
Get a data esim such as the ones from Eskimo (which has a free trial to test connection). For Australia, 10Gb costs ~$28 and lasts 2yrs.
I personally like not having to worry about renewing my mobile plan every month or every few months so would personally do the above if I didn't need unlimited calls/txt.
@Mugsy: That Eskimo plan does look good, but as expiry is so long, most people will burn through the data before it expires.
Do you know if Eskimo alert you when you're getting close to the end of your data? Or do you have to track your data usage through the app?
@Russ: No idea. I have 1Gb global data with them on both my phones as a back up but have yet to use their service.
My plan to go overseas for holidays has been postponed.
@Mugsy: Esim would be great for data only, but you need an Esim-enabled phone.
FYI I'm thinking of getting a cheap, smashed up Samsung phone running a hotspot for my IOT and IP cameras as I don't want to use the ''communal'' router in my share house, and maybe occasionally connect it with a monitor using DEX mode. I'll run a second hotspot for my laptop using my primary phone with Felix unlimited data, whenever I'm at home. And I won't need to pony up my share of the internet bill.
I don't expect to check on my IP cameras much so I wouldn't burn through the data, even if it's only 10GB for 2 years.
@safrane: Yeah, an esim enabled phone or an esim adapter is needed.
I guess for my family, esim enabled phones are quite normal. We've all had to get new phones sometime in the past 3yrs and most of us have esims because of it. In Dad's case, he needed it as he and mum travel a lot so having access to travel esims was a must. The first time he went overseas with an esim enabled phone, his Amaysim roaming didn't work in Japan so I bought an esim online, whatsapped it to him, and he was able to use the Moto G54 I bought him as a back up travel phone to get on the net when out and about, and he could hotspot that with his and mum's other phones.
I had a work colleague who use to use his mobile plan to sort out his home internet. Had a docking station that when he got home, he'd drop his phone into and it would be hooked up to a wifi router to connect his home wifi to the internet. Makes a lot of sense for anyone just needing the net for anything that doesn't require a fast, stable, low latency connection.
It does seem bizarre to me that Australian mobile data is cheaper from an overseas supplier, than can be bought from a local supplier. I suppose it's no different than subscribing to Netflix through India or Argentina.
Locals can afford more, so they charge more.
Many travellers are on a shoestring, or doesn't need (or are not enticed by) the local telco offerings, which are not designed for tourists in mind.
Also there are logistical and distribution challenges with physical SIM cards, and tourists these days doesn't need a local mobile number to call and text. I relied on the Red Bull eSIM data when I arrived into Melb from NZ so I can access the internet beyond the airport WiFi, until I reach my accommodation and receive my (previously mailed) Felix SIM card. Otherwise I'll have to pay for roaming on my NZ SIM, or having to buy a SIM card from Optus/Telstra at the airport.
amaysim 4GB 90 days $30
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/898182
You can't buy it on a new SIM directly from amaysim. If you need it right now and you don't already have an amaysim SIM, you probably have to buy one for $2 and then add $30.
Colesworth frequently sells $30 prepaid packs for $10. As you are happy to buy a new SIM every time just stock up when they are on sale
Just of note, the starter kits will expire (usually give or take 3 months from purchase). So don't stock up more than 1 at any given time and start keeping an eye out for the discount 1 month after activating the previous one. Be sure to ask the staff when the kit expires before buying.
But yeah, getting the $30 starter pack for $10 and activating as AYG and buying the 90 day plan equates to $10 every 3 months for calls/text and 4Gb data. But will need to change number every 90 days.
So your suggestion is to buy one to activate now, and then buy another to activate a few days before the anticipated 3 months starter kit expiry - say activate the 2nd starter pack on day 85?
Can be activated on day 90… once you have a profile/account set up with Amaysim, activating a second service is almost instant.
You should've bought Catch mobile last week 3 month $20 20gb.
Coles $149 365 day 140gb prepaid starter pack? That's $12.50/month.
Sale ends today though
Not cheaper but an alternative
Amaysim $10 sim @ Woolworths till cob Tue.
( $30 sim discounted to $10)
28 day validity.