Best prepaid SIM Card for Australia: prices and where to buy?

With its magnificent beaches, coral reefs, and unique animals, you’ll never forget a trip to Australia. But if you’re traveling to the Land Down Under, it’s crucial to think about buying a prepaid SIM card for Australia to connect to the internet when you’re there.

It’s every traveler’s worst nightmare to be left isolated without connecting with loved ones back home or accessing directions. With a data SIM card for Australia, you can stay connected while avoiding expensive roaming charges. In this article, we’ll explain the best way to access the internet during your trip to Australia.

If your mobile phone is compatible and you need internet quickly, you can choose an eSIM card for Australia. The eSIM is a new technology that gives you access to the internet simply by scanning a QR code.

Where to buy the best prepaid SIM card for Australia? 

Before Flying from your country? After landing in Australia? Which of these options is best? No worries, probably both SIM cards from the online store and Australian cards provide you with high coverage, but then we have to consider some alternative points. For example. You have arrived tired from a long journey, buying to get your bags quickly and get in touch with your family. 

The decision is yours, but we will discuss all the options you have to buy a SIM card before your trip. You will also learn about some of the local operators in the country, such as Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone, with whom you can also purchase a tourist SIM card. The vital thing to know is that as a visitor, you will have many paths to take.

(You may be interested in the best SIM card for New Zealand)

Easy to buy

Moving in a country we don’t know without the internet can be problematic. That’s why having a prepaid SIM card for Australia makes things easier, as we want to buy them without much hassle. Online stores are an alternative that puts international SIM cards in the hands of their customers without spending time. These providers sell worldwide, thanks to international shipping. Always confirm that they can deliver to your country.

Buying from home and before your trip has many conveniences without leaving aside the excellent service at your destination. But you may also think it is better to use a local operator in Australia to buy your prepaid SIM card. Phone companies usually have some data plans for foreigners. It is just a matter of locating a physical store and going there once you arrive in the country.

Buy before you travel.

Without sounding repetitive, it is the alternative with more comforts and benefits. No doubt, buying from home the service you will use in Australia lets you anticipate any inconvenience. Searching for an online store that sells prepaid SIM cards for Australia on the web is very fast. These providers simplify even more the purchasing process. You will also find reasonable rates and very competitive plans compared to local options. 

There are also virtual SIM cards for Australia available from online stores that have the advantage of instant delivery. This digital version of SIM cards arrives as a QR code to your email and can be installed in minutes. Buying a traditional SIM card or an eSIM for Australia before your trip will allow you to connect to the internet from the first moment you get off the plane, which is ideal for the comfort of your experience.

Buy upon arrival

Finally, we find the most traditional alternative and the one where we can find more obstacles. It is possible to buy a local SIM card for Australia from a local operator. You have to look for those that include prepaid plans. Tourists can buy these, and postpaid plans are for residents. It is worth mentioning that there may be reduced options or that some documentation may be required to purchase. 

Telephone companies in the country, such as Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone Australia, have many physical branches. There are even options at international airports. It is common to find them in shopping malls, retail stores, and some authorized agents in the city. We recommend you verify at least before your arrival which of these options is the closest to your place of arrival.

Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone Australia stores in Australia

When looking for a local option with good coverage and service in Australia, you should consider one of these three phone companies. You can find local SIM cards at the Sydney Kingsford Smith international airport near some terminals. We recommend you use their website to check which one to go to. Depending on your arrival time, these stores may not be open, so you must look for an option in the city afterward. For this, the operators also have maps to find physical stores near your location. 

Also, if you don’t have internet access, there are usually some stores in shopping malls. After you find the store and make the purchase, don’t be surprised that you must register your SIM card as required by local laws. This process takes some time, and you will usually be helped by the staff where you bought it. They may ask for personal information and identification documents and verify the IMEI of your phone as well as compatibility.

(You may be interested in the best virtual SIM card for New Zealand)

How much does a SIM card cost to travel to Australia?

Telecommunication services are a bit expensive in Australia. You can find prepaid SIM cards for 10$ with 2GB of browsing to use in one month. There are also plans with more data starting at $60 for 65GB of browsing to use in four weeks. As you can see, the price range is wide, as well as the options from all three carriers. When you have chosen the plan you are most interested in, you can proceed to purchase it. 

It is advisable to research which of the plans you are interested in before you arrive so that when you are in Australia, you can save some time on the purchase. Availability may depend on where you arrive to pick up your local SIM card.

eSIM card for Australia, the new alternative

Many of the new phones are using embedded SIM cards or eSIMs instead of traditional chips. The evolution of SIM cards has led to these digital versions, which do not require physical installation in your phone. You scan a QR code, and it’s in your phone. The versatility represents an excellent advantage for world travelers, who can purchase unlimited data eSIM for Australia from online stores like Holafly in just minutes. 

Holafly has eSIM for this country and many other destinations. The purchase and installation process with them is straightforward and secure. Also, this option is still much cheaper than using international roaming or renting pocket wifi in Australia. You can find an eSIM for all your travels with Holafly without wasting time and money.

Before purchasing an eSIM for Australia, it is advisable that you confirm some conditions to be able to use them.

• We mentioned new phones, and the truth is that not all phones on the market are compatible with eSIM. You can confirm if yours is using the updated list of compatible phones.
• Now you know that eSIM for Australia is virtual so that you will receive them as a QR code in your email. You must have a valid email address to access to purchase one. 
• It is something that you can anticipate, but we clarify for the purchase process and first-time installation of the eSIM, you need an internet connection. It is favorable that you do it before your trip, or if you are already in Australia, use a secure public connection.

Holafly online store

There are many online stores that you can use to buy SIM cards for Australia. But one of the most accessible and easy to use is Holafly’s online store. It has websites in multiple languages and up to twelve entry options. They also have specialized customer support in several languages 24 hours a day, every day. Even though it is easy to use, they are there for you with any questions you may have.

Holafly’s eSIM for Australia with unlimited data has excellent local service. You can see in their technical specs that the Optus network supports them. You also have the possibility to buy top-ups whenever you need them, to use more data, or extend your package for more days. 

It is effortless to install a Holafly eSIM, just scan a QR, and you are ready to go! When you buy one, you also receive a quick installation guide. You can use at the same time local SIM card from your home country and the eSIM for Australia that you buy with Holafly. Ideal for keeping your WhatsApp number so your family can communicate more easily. When you return to your home country, you won’t have to change chips as you would with physical versions.

Disadvantages of Holafly’s eSIM card

There are many benefits to purchasing a digital SIM card for Australia with Holafly before your trip. However, one of the downsides is that this option does not have a local Australian number, so you will not be able to make analog calls. Thanks to the amount of data it offers, you can make calls through applications such as WhatsApp or Skype by connecting to the internet.

How can I shop at Holafly? 

We have told you that it is fast and safe to buy with Holafly. First, you just have to go to their website and select the country where you will travel, the language of the page, and the currency to pay. Then you will see all the plans available for this destination. When you choose one, you can checkout.

Once in the shopping cart, you enter your contact information and email address to receive your eSIM. You will see multiple payment methods, such as credit and debit cards, PayPal, G Pay, and Apple Pay. When you have paid, you will receive an email with the QR to install your eSIM on your phone.

How much does an eSIM cost to travel to Australia?

Holafly has two data plans for this destination that you can purchase whenever you need them.

Frequently asked questions about the Internet and SIM card for Australia

Leoneska Ruiz

Leoneska over here, your guide to travel connected. I'm a Venezuelan with over 4 years of sharing tips and tricks to keep mobile internet while traveling and make the most of your adventures. With me, you will be able to learn about the use of eSIMs, Pocket WiFis, and more.