Australia SIM Card & Carriers Complete Guide (2025)

"I heard I need to buy a SIM card as soon as I arrive in Australia. Where do I buy it and which one should I choose?"

A SIM card is the first essential for life in Australia. Without a SIM:

• ❌ Difficult to open bank account (phone number needed)
• ❌ Can't receive job contact
• ❌ Can't use Google Maps

Good news: Can purchase at airport in 5-10 minutes! $20-40/month is sufficient.

This guide was created based on experiences from over 2,000 working holidaymakers.

---

1. Australia's Top 3 Carriers Comparison

1.1. Optus (Recommended! ⭐)

Features:

• Coverage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (excellent in cities, average in regional areas)
• Price: Affordable ($30-40/month)
• Most used by working holidaymakers

Recommended For:

• Staying in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
• Value for money important

1.2. Telstra (Best Coverage)

Features:

• Coverage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (best nationwide coverage in Australia)
• Price: Expensive ($40-60/month)
• Good signal even on farms and regional areas

Recommended For:

• Farm work, second visa plans
• Regional cities (Perth, Adelaide)

1.3. Vodafone

Features:

• Coverage: ⭐⭐⭐ (OK in cities, weak in regional areas)
• Price: Cheapest ($25-35/month)

Recommended For:

• Staying in cities only
• Want cheapest option

---

2. Carrier Comparison Table

Item	Optus	Telstra	Vodafone
Price	$30-40	$40-60	$25-35
City Coverage	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Regional Coverage	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Working Holiday Popularity	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Airport Purchase	✅	✅	✅

💡 Recommendation:

• Cities only: Optus (value for money)
• Farm/Regional: Telstra (coverage)

---

3. Plan Types

3.1. Prepaid - Recommended! ⭐

Definition:

• Prepaid plan
• No contract, can cancel anytime

Advantages:

• ✅ No contract
• ✅ No credit check required
• ✅ Optimal for working holidaymakers

Optus Prepaid Plans:

Price	Data	Calls/SMS	Validity
$30	50GB	Unlimited	28 days
$40	80GB	Unlimited	28 days
$50	120GB	Unlimited	28 days

💡 Recommendation: $30 (50GB) - sufficient for most

3.2. Postpaid

Definition:

• Postpaid plan
• 12-24 month contract

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Contract required
• ❌ Credit check required
• ❌ Unsuitable for working holidaymakers

💡 Tip: Working holidaymakers only use Prepaid

---

4. Where to Purchase SIM Cards

4.1. Airport (Upon Arrival!)

Advantages:

• Activate immediately upon arrival
• Staff assistance

Price:

• Airport = Convenience store (same price)

Sydney Airport:

• International Terminal (T1): Optus, Telstra, Vodafone stores
• Location: In front of exit after baggage claim

Melbourne Airport:

• International Terminal (T2): Optus, Telstra stores

4.2. Convenience Stores (Woolworths, Coles)

Price:

• Same as airport

Purchase:

1. Visit Woolworths/Coles
2. Ask at checkout "Optus SIM please"
3. Pay $30-40
4. Activate yourself (via app or phone)

4.3. Carrier Stores

Advantages:

• Staff assistance
• Immediate activation

Location:

• CBD shopping malls (Pitt St Mall, etc.)

---

5. How to Activate SIM (Optus Example)

Step 1: Purchase SIM

What You Need:

• Passport (ID)
• Cash or card ($30-40)

Step 2: Insert SIM

1. Turn off phone
2. Open SIM tray
3. Insert SIM
4. Turn on phone

Step 3: Activation

Method #1: App

1. Download "My Optus" app
2. Click "Activate SIM"
3. Enter SIM number (number on SIM card)
4. Enter personal information (name, email, passport)
5. Select plan ($30, $40, $50)
6. Payment

Method #2: Phone

1. Call 1300 137 897
2. Follow instructions to activate

Time Required: 5-30 minutes

Step 4: Recharge

Automatically expires after 28 days → Recharge

Method #1: App

• My Optus app → "Recharge" → Select amount → Pay

Method #2: Convenience Store

• Woolworths/Coles → Buy "Optus Recharge $30" → Enter code in app

Method #3: Online

• optus.com.au → Login → Recharge

---

6. Budget Carriers (MVNO)

6.1. What is MVNO?

Definition:

• Mobile Virtual Network Operator
• Provides service using major carrier networks (cheaper)

Examples:

• Amaysim (Optus network): $20/month (35GB)
• Catch Connect (Optus network): $15/month (20GB)
• Belong (Telstra network): $25/month (40GB)

6.2. MVNO vs Major Carriers

Item	MVNO	Major Carriers
Price	Cheap	Expensive
Coverage	Same (uses network)	Same
Speed	Slightly slower	Fast
Customer Service	Online only	Stores/Phone

💡 Recommendation:

• Budget important → MVNO (Amaysim)
• Convenience important → Major Carrier (Optus)

---

7. International Calls & SMS

7.1. Calling Korea

Method:

1. +82 (Korea country code)
2. Remove 0
3. Phone number

Example:

• Korean number: 010-1234-5678
• From Australia: +82 10 1234 5678

Cost:

• Most prepaid: International calls unavailable or expensive
• Alternative: WhatsApp, KakaoTalk (free)

7.2. Receiving Korean SMS

Free:

• Receiving SMS is free

Sending:

• Expensive ($0.50-1/message)
• Alternative: WhatsApp, KakaoTalk

---

8. Data Usage Tips

8.1. Is 50GB Enough?

Average Usage:

• Google Maps: 2-3GB/month
• Instagram/Facebook: 5-10GB/month
• YouTube: 10-20GB/month
• Total: 20-40GB/month

💡 Conclusion: 50GB is sufficient!

8.2. Data Saving Tips

Use Wi-Fi:

• Accommodation: Free Wi-Fi
• Cafes: Free Wi-Fi (Starbucks, McCafe)
• Libraries: Free Wi-Fi

Settings:

• Turn OFF app auto-update
• Lower YouTube quality (480p)

---

9. Number Porting

9.1. What is Number Porting?

Definition:

• Keep phone number while changing carriers

Example:

• Move from Optus → Telstra
• Keep same number

9.2. How to Port

1. Select "Keep my number" when joining new carrier
2. Provide existing number + account information
3. Automatically transferred in 1-3 days

Free

---

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I use my Korean phone in Australia?

A. Yes! Most smartphones are global models and work fine. Just swap the SIM card.

Q2. Do I need to unlock my SIM Lock?

A. Phones bought in Korea are mostly unlocked. Only phones purchased from carriers need checking.

Q3. Can I use 5G?

A. Yes, Optus and Telstra support 5G. However, your phone must also support 5G.

Q4. Does prepaid plan auto-renew?

A. Auto-renewal is available. Register credit card → automatic payment every 28 days.

Q5. What happens when I run out of data?

A. Speed throttled (under 1Mbps) or completely blocked. Additional data can be purchased.

Q6. Do I need to cancel when returning home?

A. Turn OFF auto-renewal → automatically expires after 28 days. No separate cancellation needed.

---

11. SIM Purchase Checklist

Upon Airport Arrival

• Collect baggage
• Find carrier store (Optus recommended)
• Prepare passport
• Purchase prepaid $30
• Insert SIM + activate
• Test calls and SMS

First Use

• Download My Optus app
• Set auto-renewal (optional)
• Check data usage

After 28 Days

• Recharge (via app or convenience store)
• Or switch to different carrier (optional)

---

Conclusion

Buy your SIM immediately at the airport. 10 minutes investment makes Australian life easier!

Key Summary:

1. ✅ Recommended carrier: Optus (value) or Telstra (coverage)
2. ✅ Plan: Prepaid $30 (50GB)
3. ✅ Purchase location: Airport (upon arrival)
4. ✅ Activation: My Optus app (5-30 minutes)
5. ✅ Recharge every 28 days (auto-renewal available)

Next Steps:

1. Arrive at airport
2. Visit Optus store
3. Purchase prepaid $30
4. Activate SIM

Best of luck with your Australian SIM purchase! 📱🇦🇺✨

---

Related Articles

• Australia Bank Account Opening Guide
• Australia First Week Guide
• Australia TFN Application Guide

About the Author The WHRESUME team is in their 3rd year living in Melbourne and genuinely supports Australian working holiday makers. This guide is based on feedback from the working holiday community and analysis of official Australian sources.

💬 Feedback Welcome: If you find outdated or inaccurate information, please let us know via Contact Us!