If you are looking to compare mobile phone plans for your travels to Australia, then prepaid is the way to go. No contract and all you need is a passport to purchase a sim card for pretty much tens of thousands of retail outlets around Australia. Prepaid mobile plans are not just for travelers to Australia, they are also for the lucky ones who live here (permanently or temporarily) and wish to make international calls from their mobile phone to both mobiles and fixed lines. We compare the best prepaid mobile plans for making international calls. One sim can do both, cheap local calls and cheap international calls.
| Prepaid Mobile Plans for International Calls | |||||||||
| Product | Call rate1 | Flagfall | Txt | Expiry3 | Free Calls | International Calls | Buy Now | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Fixed Line2 | Mobile2 | |||||||
 Virgin Home Made |
10c^ | 20c (Nil for countries shown) | 25c | 28 | Unlimited talk & text to Virgin $2/MB data charged p/KB |
Vietnam India Philippines USA Malaysia China Thailand Indonesia UK NZ |
5c 5c 15c 5c 5c 5c 5c 8c 10c 10c |
5c 5c 15c 5c 5c 5c 5c 8c 10c 10c |
Buy Virgin |
| *0c flagfall applies | |||||||||
 Optus Connect 4 Less |
5c^ | 23c | 10c/20c Int | 28 | 1MB data free then 10c/MB | Vietnam India Philippines USA Malaysia China Thailand Indonesia UK NZ |
4.9c 1.9c 11c 3c 0c 0c 1c 5c 3c 3c |
6c 1.9c 17c 3c 2c 0c 2c 9c 15c 15c |
Buy Optus |
| *23c flagfall applies | |||||||||
 gotalk Anytime |
0c fixed lines/9.5c^ mobiles | 29c | 14.5c/5c gotalk | 90 | Free calls to gotalk for first 5 mins (flagfall applies) 5MB/day FREE then 2c/MB |
Vietnam India Philippines USA Malaysia China Thailand Indonesia UK NZ |
3.9c 1.9c 8c 2.9c 1.9c 0.9c 0.9c 2.9c 2.9c 4.9c |
6.9c 1.9c 19c 2.9c 1.9c 1.9c 1.9c 9c 15c 24c |
Buy gotalk |
| *29c flagfall applies | |||||||||
 Lebara Mobile |
7.5c^ | 29c | 15c | 90 | Free calls to Lebara for first 10mins | Vietnam India Philippines USA Malaysia China Thailand Indonesia UK NZ |
8c 2c 8c 5c 2c 2c 0c 7c 5c 5c |
12c 3c 25c 5c 3c 3c 3c 12c 19c 29c |
Buy Lebara |
| *29c flagfall applies | |||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 Vodafone International |
5c^ | 10c | 15c | 30 | Recharge $20+ for unlimited Vodafone talk | Vietnam India Philippines USA Malaysia China Thailand Indonesia UK NZ |
5c* 0c 15c Max $1 2c* 0c 2c* 9c Max $1 Max $1 |
6c* 0c 20c Max $1 2c* 0c 2c* 9c 20c 20c |
Buy Vodafone |
| *23c flagfall applies | |||||||||
 Crazy Johns Flat Chat |
5c^ | 10c | 1c | 90 – 365 | Free calls to Crazy Johns | Vietnam India Philippines USA Malaysia China Thailand Indonesia UK NZ |
5c 3c 11c 3c 1c 2c 1c 9c 5c 5c |
8c 3c 17c 3c 3c 3c 2c 9c 19c 29c |
Buy Crazy Johns |
| *10c flagfall applies | |||||||||
 LycaMobile |
0c^ | 29c | 15c | 90 | Free calls to Lycamobile (flagfall applies) 5MB/day free data |
Vietnam India Philippines USA Malaysia China Thailand Indonesia UK NZ |
4c 0c 8c 3c 2c 0c 0c 3c 3c 5c |
8c 1c 19c 15c 2c 1c 2c 9c 15c 24c |
Buy Lycamobile |
| *29c flagfall applies | |||||||||
 Telstra Simplicity |
7.5c^ | Free | 12c | 30 – 180 | Vietnam India Philippines USA Malaysia China Thailand Indonesia UK NZ |
15c 15c 20c 15c 15c 15c 15c 15c 15c 20c |
15c 15c 20c 15c 15c 15c 15c 15c 15c 20c |
Buy Telstra | |
| *0c flagfall applies | |||||||||
 Hello Mobile |
0c | 35c/10c to Hello Mobile | 10c | 90 | Free calls to national mobile and landine number. Flagfall applies. | Vietnam India Philippines USA Malaysia China Thailand Indonesia UK NZ |
3c 1c 7c 1.9c 0c 1.5c 0c 1.6c 3c 4c |
6c 2.5c 19c 1.9c 1c 1.5c 1.5c 6c 18c 29c |
Buy Hello |
| *35c flagfall applies | |||||||||
| 1 – Call rates per 30 seconds. ^Actual call rates are per minute. 2 – Per minute call rates for mobile phones and fixed phone lines. Does not include flagfall. 3 – Expiry in days. 4 – Call rate per 30 secs. | |||||||||
| Prepaid Mobile Plans for International Travellers (Short Stays) | |||||||
| Product | Call rate4 | Flagfall | Txt | Expiry2 | Data | Call Cap/Credit | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Optus Connect 4 Less offers great domestic and international rates (call home). With almost 97% of Australia covered you are always connected. Pick up a sim card from any Optus store which can be found just about everywhere.” | |||||||
| Optus Connect 4 Less |
5c^ | 23c | 10c | 30 | First 1MB/day free then 10c/MB | Buy Optus |
|
| “Optus Turbo Cap Plus is ideal if you have arrived with your Smart Phone and want to ensure that you have lots of call credit as well as internet access for your phone whilst you travel around Australia. Sim Cards can be picked up at the airport.” | |||||||
| Optus New Turbo Cap Plus |
44.5c^ | 39c | 29c | 30 | 500MB + Unlimited Social Network | $30 Recharge = $300 in Calls + unlimited national SMS | Buy Optus |
| “Vodafone offers good coverage in you are staying and travelling between capital cities and staying in metro areas. Lots of stores around to pick up a sim pack. Although call rates are higher than some of the providers, you get extra value in free talk/txt time to more you recharge. Vodafone also offers prepaid plans with data options if you have a 3G phone.“ | |||||||
Vodafone Txt & Data |
39c^ | 35c | 28c | 60 | $30 – 250MB + Unlimited Social Network |
Recharge = $30 Call Credit + 500 txt + $100 Vodafone credit | Buy Vodafone |
| “Virgin offers good value rates for calls and txt. Plus you get unlimited calls between Virgin phones whilst in Australia. Virgin stores are also everywhere so its easy to find them and pick a sim card or recharge. Virgin runs off the Optus network so coverage is great everywhere. Virgin also offers data packs for 3G phones.” | |||||||
| Virgin Topless $29 |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 14 | 1GB | Unlimited calls 24/7 | Buy Virgin |
|
| “Telstra’s coverage is by far the best in Australia. They also offer data packs although they are not the cheapest. Stores can be found everywhere. If you plan to get very rural whilst in Australia, then is probably your best option.” | |||||||
 Telstra Prepaid Cap Encore |
44.5c^ | 39c | 29c | 30 | 400MB | $30 Recharge = $500 Call Credit | Buy Telstra |
| “If you are likely to be making lots and lots of calls internationally whilst you are in Australia, then you might wish to consider a sim card with great local and international calls rates. gotalk Anytime is an award winner with the cheapest call rates in Australia.” | |||||||
| gotalk Anytime |
4.5c^ | 25c | 14.5c | 90 | 5MB free p/day then 2c/MB | Buy gotalk |
|
1 – Call rates per 30 seconds. ^Actual call rates are per minute. 2 – Call rates for mobile phones and fixed phone lines. Does not include flagfall. 3 – Expiry in days. 4 – Call rate per 30 secs.
Optus Prepaid Mobile Plans Terms & Conditions
Optus 3G service: To access Optus 3G services on the iPhone, you must be in an Optus 3G coverage area and have an Optus 3G SIM card. The Apple iPhone 3G is UMTS2100MHz band handset and will provide you with access to 3G/HSPA services in Optus 3G/HSPA service areas. Outside these areas coverage will fall back on the GSM/GPRS network. The Apple iPhone 3G will not provide you with access to 3G services in Optus dual band coverage areas where a dual band (2100/900MHZ) handset is required. For full coverage details please see www.optus.com.au/coverage.
Unlocking Fee: Handsets are locked to the Optus network. A fee of $80 does apply if you leave Optus for any reason within 6 months of your activation date. If you have recharged to $80 no fee applies. BlackBerry® smartphones and Apple iPhones are locked to the Optus network. $120 fee applies if network locking is removed within 6 months from activation. If recharges have exceeded $120 no fee applies. Limit 1 per customer (except SA).
Long Expiry: Optus Mobile Fair Go™ Policy applies. 186 day credit expiry. MyCredit and My Bonus can be used for standard national & international calls & text, internet browsing & international roaming. MyCredit can also be used for premium SMS & content, Zoo content usage charges, video calling, 966 and satellite calls. MyBonus excludes premium SMS & content, Zoo content usage charges, video calling, 966 and satellite calls. Optus to Optus Calls: can be used for standard national calls to Optus GSM mobiles within Australia. Data usage will be charged at $2/MB and is charged in 1MB increments per session for uploads and downloads within Australia. Some handsets are set to seek data automatically (e.g. email or other apps). This will use the internet and, in some cases, charges will apply. Who’s Who Tone: when calling another Optus GSM mobile number, you’ll hear a special tone. This will help you manage your include value by letting you know when you’re calling another Optus GSM mobile. This feature cannot be turned off. Offer may be changed or withdrawn without notice to you. For the most up to date information visit www.optus.com.au/callingoffers
Crew Cap: Optus Mobile Fair Go™ Policy applies. 60 day credit expiry. MyCredit and MyBonus can be used for standard national & international calls & text, internet browsing & international roaming. MyCredit can also be used for premium SMS & content, Zoo content usage charges, video calling, 966 and satellite calls. MyBonus excludes premium SMS & content, Zoo content usage charges, video calling, 966 and satellite calls. Optus to Optus Calls: can be used for standard national calls to Optus GSM mobiles within Australia. Unlimited Optus to Optus SMS includes standard national SMS to Optus GSM mobiles within Australia. Data is charged in 1MB increments per session for uploads and downloads within Australia. Excess data usage (beyond Data included in your recharge) will be charged at $2/MB and is charged in 1MB increments per session for uploads and downloads within Australia. Some handsets are set to seek data automatically (e.g. email or other apps). This will use the internet and, in some cases, charges will apply. Who’s Who Tone: when calling another Optus GSM mobile number, you’ll hear a special tone. This will help you manage your include value by letting you know when you’re calling another Optus GSM mobile. This feature cannot be turned off. Who’s Who Tone: on Crew Cap when calling another Optus GSM mobile number, you’ll hear a special tone. This will help you manage your include value by letting you know when you’re calling another Optus GSM mobile. This feature cannot be turned off. Offer may be changed or withdrawn without notice to you. For the most up to date information visit www.optus.com.au/callingoffers.
All offers: These offers may expire or be withdrawn at any time. For the most up-to-date information, see Mobile Offers.
Dollar Days: $1 Days daily usage fee is $1 (excluding add-ons), $2 Days daily usage fee is $2 (excluding add-ons) and $3 Days daily usage fee is $3. $1 Days Usage fee includes unlimited: standard national calls, SMS & MMS to Optus GSM mobiles; standard national calls to Australian fixed lines; and mobile access to Facebook and Twitter within Australia. $2 Days Usage fee includes unlimited: standard national calls, SMS & MMS to Australian GSM mobiles (excluding Pivotel); standard national calls to Australian fixed lines; and mobile access to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, eBay, and Foursquare within Australia. $3 Days usage fee includes unlimited: standard national calls, SMS and MMS to Australian GSM mobiles (excluding Pivotel); standard national calls to Australian fixed lines; and mobile Internet browsing on your handset within Australia. $1 Days Add-ons: For an additional $1 per day, you receive unlimited standard national SMS and MMS to Australian GSM mobiles (excluding Pivotel). For an additional $1 per day, you receive unlimited standard national calls to Australian GSM mobiles (excluding Pivotel). $2 Days Add-ons: For an additional $1 per day, you receive unlimited mobile Internet browsing on your handset within Australia. $3 Days Free Weekends: When you pay $3 Daily usage fee every day from Monday to Friday, no daily usage fee applies for Saturday and Sunday. All Dollar Days offers: Include free voicemail deposits and retrievals in Australia. Excludes premium SMS and content, international and satellite calling and text, international roaming charges, Zoo content usage charges, video calling, 966 calls, mobile handset tethering and use of non mobile voice devices.
Optus Mobile Fair GoTM Policy applies.Timing is based on AEST (the time in Sydney, NSW) regardless of your location. Please adjust your usage to allow for time differences. The usage fee is charged on the first outbound standard national call, SMS, MMS or mobile internet access each day after 12.00.00am AEST. An SMS will be sent to you regardless of time of day when the first daily outbound usage activity is completed. This feature cannot be turned off. Usage fee is not charged on days when no outbound standard national call, SMS, MMS or mobile internet access is made. Unlimited standard national daily calls maximum duration is 23 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds. Daily usage fee and add-on inclusions expire on the earlier of: 1. 11:59:59pm AEST each day; or 2. the time on which you select another offer. International calls are charged in increments of up to 10 minutes. You may change between different Dollar Days offers a maximum of once every 30 days. If you change from a Dollar Days offer to another offer after you have paid your daily usage fee, you will forfeit the benefits available under the Dollar Days offer. Me2U is not available with these offers. $10, $15 and $20 vouchers expire in 14 days; $30, $40 and $50 vouchers expire in 30 days; $70 and $100 vouchers expire in 60 days. Unused credit rolls over when your next recharge is before your credit expiry. Options for $10, $15 & $20 top-ups are not available. The $5 data top-up is not available on Dollar Days. If you purchase a $5 data top-up on Dollar Days, you will receive $5 of credit with a 5 day expiry. Mobile Internet access requires a compatible handset. Optus may in the future require customers to change their Internet connection settings to be able to access the Internet while on the Dollar Days offers. Some Handsets are set to seek data automatically (e.g. email or other apps). This will use the internet and, in some cases, charges will apply. Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. Twitter® and Twitter® logo are trademarks of Twitter Inc. LinkedIn and the LinkedIn logo are registered trademarks of LinkedIn Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. eBay and the eBay logo are trademarks of eBay Inc. All rights reserved.
Turbo Cap Plus: Optus Mobile Fair Go™ Policy applies. Data is charged in 1MB increments per session for uploads and downloads within Australia. Excess Data usage will be charge at $2/MB. Optus may in the future require customers to change their internet connection settings to be able to access the Internet while on the Turbo Cap Plus plans at these rates. Unlimited mobile access to Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Ebay & MySpace: Compatible handset required & is only available within Australia. Access via any other means including 3rd party applications will incur additional data charges applicable on your prepaid calling offer. Additional data charges will also apply for any external links accessed via these sites. Some handsets are set to seek data automatically (eg email or other apps). This will use the internet and, in some cases, charges will apply. Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc. Twitter ® and the Twitter logo are trademarks of Twitter Inc. eBay and the eBay logo are trademarks of eBay inc. All rights reserved. LinkedIn and the LinkedIn logo are registered trademarks of LinkedIn Corporation in the U.S. and/orother countries. All rights reserved. Excludes use of the Facebook SMS and other social media alert services. Offer may be changed or withdrawn without notice to you. For the most up to date information visit www.optus.com.au/turbocapplus.$300 value: Credit and MyBonus can be used for standard calls, text, internet browsing & international roaming. Credit may also be used for premium SMS & content, Zoo content usage charges, video calling, 966 and satellite calls. Excludes Pivotel.*Bonus Unlimited SMS: Is available to customers who connect and then recharge with $30 or more on Turbo Cap Plus between 1/04/11 and 30/06/11. Applies to every recharge of $30 or more until the offer is removed. Includes standard national SMS to Australian GSM mobiles and excludes all other messaging types. Will be applied within 72 hours of recharge and expires on the earlier of: 1. Recharge; 2. after 30 days; 3. the time on which you select another offer. This offer is not available in conjunction with any other offer.Data: is for use within Australia on internet browsing & downloading content. Data is charged in 1MB increments per session for uploads and downloads within Australia. Excess Data usage (beyond any Data included in your recharge) will be charged at $2/MB. Optus may in the future require customers to change their internet connection settings to be able to access the Internet while on the Turbo Cap Plus plans at these rates.
Connect 4 Less: All calls are charged in one minute increments and are rounded up to the nearest minute. All recharge credits of $40 or less expire within 30 days. All recharge credits of $50 or more expire within 90 days. Minimum My Credit balance of 21c required. You will receive My Credit depending on the value of your recharge. Activate online and receive 20 bonus international SMS. Recharge online and receive 25 bonus international SMS. Bonus international SMS only available when you recharge with a credit card or Paypal online and cannot be used for national SMS. National Calls from Optus Pre-Paid to Optus Pre-Paid are charged at 0c per minute for first 10 minutes, $0.20 per min thereafter. Me2U is not available on Connect 4 Less. National data usage is charged at 50c per day (form 00:00 hrs to 23:59 hrs) for the first 10MB of data used. Thereafter, data is charged at 50c per MB, charged in 1MB increments. Unlimited Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, FourSquare and eBay is only available on recharges of $30 or more. Mobile Internet access requires a compatible handset. Optus may in the future require customers to change their Internet connection settings to be able to access the Internet while on the Connect 4 Less offers. Some Handsets are set to seek data automatically (e.g. email or other apps). This will use the internet and, in some cases, charges will apply. Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. Twitter® and Twitter® logo are trademarks of Twitter Inc. LinkedIn and the LinkedIn logo are registered trademarks of LinkedIn Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. eBay and the eBay logo are trademarks of eBay Inc. All rights reserved. This offer is not available to Boost Mobile customers. Optus Mobile Fair Go™ policy applies. This offer may expire or be withdrawn at anytime. For the most up to date information visit www.optus.com.au/c4l
Some handsets are set to seek data automatically (eg email or other apps). This will use the internet and, in some cases, charges will apply. 10% off on Prepaid Mobile Devices: Exclusive to online. No rainchecks apply. While stocks last. Not available in conjunction with any other offer unless specified. Does not apply to iPhone 3GS 8GB. Optus 3G service: To access Optus 3G single band services on the iPhone, you must be in an Optus 3G single band coverage area and have an Optus 3G SIM card. The Apple iPhone 3G is UMTS2100MHz band handset and will provide you with access to 3G/HSPA services in Optus 3G/HSPA single band service areas. Outside these areas coverage will fall back on the GSM/GPRS network. The Apple iPhone 3G will not provide you with access to 3G services in Optus 3G dual band coverage areas where a 3G dual band (2100/900MHZ) handset is required. For full coverage details please see www.optus.com.au/coverage. Unlocking Fee: Handsets are locked to the Optus network. An $80 fee applies if network locking is removed within the first six months from activation. If you have recharged to the value of $80 no fee applies. Blackberry smartphones and Apple iPhones are locked to the Optus network. $120 fee applies of network locking is removed within the first 6 months from activation. If recharges have exceeded $120 no fee applies. Limit 1 per customer (except SA). No Rainchecks. Not all handsets available at all outlets. Handset colours may vary from store to store. $100 Activation offer: Offer available to new customers who activate an Optus Prepaid handset and connect to Turbo Cap Plus; or for existing customers who change to Turbo Cap Plus and register their handset upgrade. $100 Bonus value will be applied as RevUp Bonus. Expires 30 days. RevUp Bonus can be used for standard national calls, SMS, MMS or mobile internet access within Australia and excludes all other usage types. RevUp Bonus credit will be used before the included value of the customers Prepaid offer. Offer starts 9am AEDST 16/03/11. Ends 11:59pm 31/05/11.
