The 7 best prepaid eSIM plans for Australia in 2024 (+ discounts) (2024)

Last updated : July 21st, 2024

So, you want to be part of the 7.2 million people who visit Australia each year – welcome! Perhaps you want to see a real-life kangaroo, take a selfie at the famous Sydney Harbour, snorkel on the Great Barrier Beach, and visit a lot more Aussie travel destinations.

Australia is a vast country, ranking as the 6th largest globally and often referred to as a continent in itself. There are places to see and do, thus the need to have a reliable phone connection for finding a way around, sharing photos, or just reaching out to friends and family back home.

However, buying a local eSIM can be tricky: there are many choices to choose from, like Telstra (offering the widest coverage, including remote towns), Optus (second largest operator, ideal for bigger cities and towns), and Vodaphone (best for affordable data packages).

While these local network providers are very reliable when traveling in Australia, using them as a foreigner involves a rigorous process, like submitting your passport number and accommodation address. Plus, you need some research to ensure your device is compatible with Australia’s network frequencies.

For this reason, buying an eSIM from third-party mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) is more ideal. MVNOs also use the major local networks mentioned above and provide cheaper eSIM plans and a few extras, such as unlimited plans, phone numbers, SMS, and calls.

In this post, we will compare the best travel eSIM plans and providers for your Australian vacation. We’ll ensure you’ll find the best eSIM option for your trip at the end of this article.

The Best eSIM Providers and Plans for Australia

✅ Our top recommendation: GoMoWorld 20GB Australia

GoMoWorld might not be the most famous eSIM provider, but they offers exceptional value compared to its peers.Our top recommendation for Australia is this 20 GB plan / 30 days plan, perfect for those who need large data for browsing the internet or updating loved ones at home.

The best part? You can activate this offer in a heartbeat by scanning the QR code sent to your email.

GoMoWorld: the best provider for a cheap eSIM plan

Those who are on a backpacker's budget, eyes here!

Of all the international eSIMs we have compared, GoMoWorld, so far, offers one of the cheapest eSIM plans.

To start with, GoMoWorld offers a 2 GB / 7-day plan for only $4.2. With 2GB only, this plan won't last long, but can be really useful, for a layover, for instance.

As mentioned above, the best value according to us is this 20GB 30 days plan.

To buy these plans (or to take advantage of any of their offerings), you must download GoMoWorld's mobile app from Google Playstore or App Store. Once you get the app, create a user profile, purchase the plan, and set it up within minutes.

Unfortunately, you can only use it within Australia, so if you have other plans of visiting nearby countries within this continent, you will need to buy another eSIM data package from the same or different provider.

Exclusive discount : 🎁 Get 2€ off on all eSIMs with the code “ESIMSIO“

Best for Australia + New Zealand: Maya

Do you have plans to travel to New Zealand after your exhilarating trip to Australia, or vice versa? Then, you need a global or regional eSIM that works for both countries.

Maya is an excellent eSIM for anyone traveling to the region. It offers one of the most cost-effective products, uses a Vodaphone network, and provides an extensive 4G/LTE coverage.

Our favorite travel eSIM plan to use around the continent is this 20 GB data plan, valid for 5 days.

With only $25, you can use this eSIM in Australia, New Zealand, and 10 other Asian countries. While unlimited browsing is not possible, customizing your subscription is easy.

You are free to prolong the validity of your eSIM by utilizing the top-up feature. Once Maya reminds you that you're low on data, you can add more via the app with 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB options.

On the flip side, a large amount of data for a short duration might not be for everyone, especially those who usually spend time indoors and can connect to WiFi.

So, here's a large data plan from Nomad that you use for 60 days around multiple countries. It isn't the most affordable travel eSIM for your Aussie trip, but it's ideal for staying connected.

The generous 40 GB plan / 60 days is better than almost any other regional eSIM we looked at for Australian travel. It also offers excellent features like 4G and 5G accessibility and easy top-up.

Maya: best for unlimited plans

To ensure reliable connectivity beyond your hostel's inconsistent WiFi, you'll need sufficient data for your travels in Australia. If you do not worry about budget, you should invest in unlimited data packages for work and leisure purposes.

Maya provides unlimited plans that grant access to 3G / 4G high-speed coverage. This is suitable for adventurous travelers who enjoy outdoor activities like exploring secluded islands, mountain climbing, or visiting remote areas.

Traveling can be unpredictable, making it essential to remain consistently connected to the internet. With this plan, you can enjoy 2GB of high-speed data (you get unlimited 1MB/s data though) daily on your trips to Australia and New Zealand and 10 other Asian countries.

Note, though, that throttling can happen in all unlimited plans. Once you've exhausted the allocated data usage for this eSIM package, you may need to wait until another day to enjoy the same level of coverage.

eSIM Australia FAQs

Is Airalo good for Australia?

Absolutely! Airalo eSIMs are good for your trip to Australia. Their eSIMs are from Yes! Go! - and they use a 4G/LTE coverage from Optus.

We are big fans of Airalo. However, we find their eSIM plans in Australia expensive. Hence, it’s not part of our “best” list.

For instance, their 20 GB / 30-day package is worth $40, which is a lot pricier than the plans we have provided in this post.

Does Vodafone offer prepaid eSIM in Australia?

Yes, Vodafone offers prepaid eSIM to both locals and foreigners in Australia. It’s one of the biggest eSIM providers in the country. You can get their eSIM through their My Vodaphone app.

Also, local MVNOs use the Vodafone network to provide prepaid eSIMs. These providers are Felix Mobile, Kogan Mobile, Lebara, and TPG.

Most international eSIMs likewise collaborate with Vodaphone to provide the best network in the country. Some of these third-party MVNOs are Yesim, Maya, and Nomad.

Do other local providers offer prepaid eSIM for Australia?

Three major local providers offer prepaid eSIM for Australia, namely Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. Regardless of which eSIM you choose, it’s guaranteed that you’ll be able to use a reliable data connection in the country.

Australia also offers local MVNOs. These MVNOs buy network service from the three above mentioned phone networks and provide the basic products as the giant telcos at a lower price.

Which carriers support eSIM in Australia?

Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone are the top 3 carriers that support eSIM in Australia. These telco giants also work with small telcos to provide SIM and eSIM services in the country.

Here’s a table of your options:

Sources:

https://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/Guides/what-is-esim

https://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/Guides/which-network-is-behind-your-MVNO

However, buying from international MVNOs is your best bet if you're a foreigner traveling in Australia. Purchasing local eSIMs before or upon arrival in the country can be a hassle and time-consuming, and third-party providers provide a seamless process. Not to mention that it's a lot cheaper than putting your phone on roaming.

Is my device compatible with an eSIM?

eSIM is quite a new technology in the country. It was only launched in 2018, so we expect only newer phone models to be eSIM-compatible. If you've recently bought a new iPhone, Samsung, Oppo, Google, and Motorola phone, then it's likely that your device is compatible with an eSIM.

You can look at this article to know whether your phone is eSIM compatible.

Conclusion

Choosing the best eSIM providers and plans is up to you. It depends on what type of traveler you are – are you a digital nomad? A globetrotter? or only visiting the country for a week or so?

The best plans we've provided in this article are tailored to these types of travelers in mind. So, it's up to you to identify which suits your needs.

Pro Tip: Before you take that much-awaited flight to Australia, check your phone and bank account, as they will also help you find the best plans that work for you.

In case you didn't find the right plan for your trip, there's a high chance that you might find it here:

Have an amazing holiday!