The cheapest way to use your phone in Australia is to get a local prepaid SIM card or eSIM from a major carrier like Telstra, Optus, or TPG (Vodafone network), often available with introductory deals for new customers, with providers like TPG offering very low initial costs for data-heavy plans, especially if you buy an unlocked phone or use eSIM-compatible devices for instant connection.
The cheapest mobile plans in Australia often come from MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) like TPG, SpinTel, Kogan Mobile, OnePass Mobile, and amaysim, with deals starting from around $12.50/month for basic data, while longer expiry plans (like 365-day) offer great value, such as Kogan's $179.90 for 140GB or OnePass's $200 for 280GB, averaging under $20/month, often including 5G and data banking/rollover. Prices and deals change, so check comparison sites like WhistleOut or Canstar for current offers on prepaid or SIM-only plans.
If you'd like to call your friends or colleagues in Australia for a tiny fraction of what you'd normally pay when you use your regular phone service supplier, check out the Planet Telecom international calls service. You'll pay just 1.5p a minute to call an Australia landline or just 1.5p to call and Australia mobile.
One of the most effective ways to avoid data roaming costs abroad is by switching to an eSIM. An eSIM lets you connect to a local network without changing your physical SIM card. This ensures you enjoy local rates and save big on roaming fees.
The cheapest way to use your phone internationally is to buy a local prepaid SIM card at your destination for low-cost data, calls, and texts, or use Wi-Fi only with apps like WhatsApp/FaceTime, while turning off cellular data and roaming. Alternatively, unlock your phone and use an eSIM provider like Airalo or Holafly for regional/global data, or check if your home carrier offers a daily roaming pass for convenience, but local SIMs usually offer the best value.
For the best Australian SIM for international roaming, Vodafone is a top choice for postpaid users due to its $5 Roaming offering, while eSIM providers like Airalo or local Australian eSIMs (e.g., Maya Mobile) offer great value for data-focused travelers, with Amaysim and Felix Mobile providing affordable local options with good international inclusions. The best choice depends on your needs: Vodafone for integrated use of your Australian plan, eSIMs for cheap data, or local SIMs for simplicity.
How to turn off data roaming on an Android:
With Airplane Mode turned on, your device will not be able to connect to cellular service, meaning you will definitely not incur any international roaming charges. But, if you have airplane mode turned on, it also means that you cannot make any calls or send/receive any messages.
And knowing them makes all the difference with your post-holiday bill. It's the easiest way to avoid roaming charges – just not always the most practical. Turn off roaming on your device before you travel so that your phone won't try and access the local network when you arrive at your destination.
Instead, you're accessing the internet through whichever broadband connection the WiFi network uses. This means, even if you're overseas and you connect to a WiFi network, you won't be incurring roaming charges from your mobile service provider.
The answer is yes; international WhatsApp calls are free to make.
The cheapest way to use your phone internationally is to buy a local prepaid SIM card at your destination for low-cost data, calls, and texts, or use Wi-Fi only with apps like WhatsApp/FaceTime, while turning off cellular data and roaming. Alternatively, unlock your phone and use an eSIM provider like Airalo or Holafly for regional/global data, or check if your home carrier offers a daily roaming pass for convenience, but local SIMs usually offer the best value.
Telstra's $10 mobile plans generally serve as access fees for a network connection, with usage (calls, SMS, data) charged separately, often on a casual or pay-as-you-go basis, but they also offer $10 add-ons like data or voice packs for existing plans, and pre-paid recharges can provide specific inclusions like 1GB data and unlimited calls for 7 days at that price point, so the exact offer depends on whether it's an old access plan, a new pre-paid recharge, or an extra pack.
Popular Ways to Keep Your Aussie Number While Overseas
The $15 Mobile Plan gives unlimited standard national calls and SMS1 and 1,000 MMS (including Video MMS) to Australian numbers to Australian numbers over 30 days. All relevant rates are shown in the table below. This plan comes with 3GB data to use over 30 days.
The cheapest way to use your phone internationally is to buy a local prepaid SIM card at your destination for low-cost data, calls, and texts, or use Wi-Fi only with apps like WhatsApp/FaceTime, while turning off cellular data and roaming. Alternatively, unlock your phone and use an eSIM provider like Airalo or Holafly for regional/global data, or check if your home carrier offers a daily roaming pass for convenience, but local SIMs usually offer the best value.
Another way to avoid unexpected roaming charges is to turn off data roaming on your phone. By doing so, international data roaming fees are prevented. However, this means that you'll only be able to use WhatsApp when you're connected to Wi-Fi.
The Role of Cellular Data and Mobile Data Services
Your phone has cellular data options that let you decide how to connect to the internet. When cellular data is on, apps and services can connect automatically. But when you turn off data roaming, your mobile data services work only on your home network area.
Airplane mode is one of the safest settings you can choose to avoid roaming charges. You can set your phone to airplane mode before arriving at your destination and keep it there while traveling abroad so that your phone doesn't use data.
According to a flight attendant for a major U.S. airline, this feature isn't just about comfort. It actually exists primarily as an accessibility feature. “There's usually a little button underneath the armrest that allows it to lift, mainly for passengers that require a wheelchair,” she told Southern Living.
What happens if someone calls you on airplane mode? Calls won't go through, and you won't receive a notification. The caller might be directed to voicemail or hear that you're unavailable.
The cheapest way to use your phone internationally is to buy a local prepaid SIM card at your destination for low-cost data, calls, and texts, or use Wi-Fi only with apps like WhatsApp/FaceTime, while turning off cellular data and roaming. Alternatively, unlock your phone and use an eSIM provider like Airalo or Holafly for regional/global data, or check if your home carrier offers a daily roaming pass for convenience, but local SIMs usually offer the best value.
Yes, you can still receive SMS text messages when 'Data Roaming' is toggled off on your phone. Your SIM connected to your regular phone number must be active, and your carrier is able to roam on an available network to provide cell service.