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

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.

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✅ Our top recommendation: Maya Mobile Australia Unlimited

Maya Mobile offers exceptional value for Australia-only travelers with their unlimited data plans. The best value is the 30-day unlimited plan, perfect for those staying longer in Australia and need reliable connectivity throughout their trip. With 3G/4G coverage, you'll stay connected in major cities and towns.

Maya Mobile: best for unlimited plans in Australia

If you want true peace of mind with unlimited data, Maya Mobile is your go-to provider for Australia. They offer unlimited plans with 3G/4G high-speed coverage on the Vodafone network.

For shorter trips (1-2 weeks), this 15-day unlimited plan for the Oceania region (Australia + New Zealand) offers great value:

This plan gives you unlimited data with a fair-use policy: 2GB of high-speed data daily (you get unlimited 1Mbps data though) across Australia and New Zealand. Note that throttling can happen in all unlimited plans. Once you've exhausted the allocated high-speed data for the day, speeds are reduced until the next day.

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. Use code ESIMSIO for $1 off.

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. In Australia, it runs on the Optus network with 5G speeds.

Alternative options: eTravelSim and Yesim

If you prefer other providers, both eTravelSim and Yesim offer competitive unlimited plans for Australia:

eTravelSim offers unlimited data for 30 days. Use code ESIMSIO for 10% off.

Yesim also provides unlimited Australia coverage for 30 days with a generous 20% discount using code ESIMS20.

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!