SIM card in Australia: all your options to get access the Internet | November 2023
You can buy a SIM card in Australia to access the Internet, but you have many other options. The best of them is to get an eSIM, as it will save you the high cost of roaming from your phone provider. Alternatively, you can connect to a portable or public wifi network. We explain all your options here.
Mobile Internet in Australia: all the alternatives
Whether it's for pleasure, business or study, a good internet connection is a must in Australia. Communicating with your loved ones, making a hotel booking or getting around freely thanks to Google Maps, there are many reasons why you'll want to stay connected.
That's why we want to explain your best options for mobile data during your stay in the southern country. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here's a table that will give you an overview of your options beyond an Australian SIM card.
| How much does it cost the Internet in Australia? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Service | Price/Days | Data |
| eSIM Australia Holafly |
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| Australia SIM card |
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Wifi in Australia:
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Roaming in Australia:
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Buy a SIM card in Australia
Get a prepaid SIM card in Australia can solve your Internet access problems. This is a product that you can buy in person or online. The second option is the most convenient, although you will have to wait for the operator to send it to your home. In any case, you can always buy your SIM card for tourist.
Buying your SIM card at the airport may seem convenient, but we recommend you don't do that. In most cases, the prepaid card will be more expensive than if you buy it in the downtown.
You should also make sure that your phone is compatible with the SIM card. Remember that there are now models that work with different frequencies and sizes, as the card can be regular, microSIM or nanoSIM.
If this option of having internet in Australia appeals to you, here are the main operators working in the country:
- Optus Australia SIM card: This is the most popular option for travellers, as you can sign up for prepaid plans as soon as you going through customs. Another advantage is that you can buy and activate your card from their app.
- Telstra SIM card Australia: Its main attraction is that it offers prepaid plans for a few days. However, you will have to wait for the SIM card to be delivered to the registered address.
- Vodafone SIM card in Australia: With over 200 outlets across Australia, you can find Vodafone prepaid SIM cards in supermarkets, licensed shops and newsagents.
eSIM Australia: your best option
It is not surprising that eSIM cards are emerging as one of the preferred options for travellers to enjoy mobile data abroad. These systems work with virtual cards that can be easily activated on your mobile phone using a QR code.
Thanks to its convenience and low price, we believe this is your best alternative for good Internet speed in Australia. Plus, you will be able to keep your original SIM and number, so it won't be a hassle at all.
Please note that not all phones are compatible with an eSIM card. iPhones and the latest generation of smartphones do. We recommend that you check the compatibility of your model before you buy anything.
Many companies offer this type of eSIM card, such as SimOptions, Three HK, Ubigi, Wificoin or TravelSim. Although there is a wide variety on offer, you won't find plans as cheap as Holafly's eSIM card.
MóvilAT&T
| eSIM cards for Australia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Company | Price/Days | Gigas |
| Holafly |
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| Three HK |
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| TravelSIM |
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| Wificoin |
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| Ubigi |
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In addition to very competitive prices, Holafly offers other conveniences such as a free 24/7 customer service. Not to mention that you can activate your eSIM card with its QR code to enjoy mobile Internet in Australia.
Sign up now for your Holafly eSIM with a 5% discount including the coupon ROAMS
Connecting to a wifi network in Australia
Another common option when you need mobile internet in Australia is to connect to a public wifi network. In certain situations, this is not a bad alternative. Mainly because it is free. But it does have some drawbacks.
In addition to the speed that can be improved, public networks are very insecure when it comes to your personal data. That's why we think you should only use public wifi when you want to send a WhatsApp message or check the weather. In other words: for very specific things.
Please avoid banking and shopping online when you are connected to one of these networks. As we say, they are very insecure, so it will not be difficult for a stranger to access your data or bank accounts.
Pocket wifi with mobile internet in Australia
If you need to do something like this online, it will be much safer to do it with a wifi pocket or MiFi. This is a device that you can rent to take with you and have mobile data available at all times.
- Wifivox: To have internet access in Australia with this company will cost you from £6.25/day. You will have 1GB per day at maximum speed and you will be able to connect up to 5 devices.
- Travel Wifi: From £8/day, you can enjoy 2GB per day on any of your devices.
- MioWifi: This operator offers you a 4G connection with unlimited data that you can access up to 5 devices from £4,50/day.
- Klook Wifi: Its main advantage is that it offers various plans from 1GB to 4GB per day. You can also connect up to 5 devices.
Don't forget that you must return the device in perfect condition to the company. Otherwise, you will face a financial penalty. And in case of theft or loss, you will leave your personal data exposed.
Activate roaming in Australia
If you don't want to buy a SIM card or an eSIM, you can also activate your phone provider’s roaming service to get mobile Internet in Australia. This can be a convenient option, but be warned that you'll have to pay quite a lot.
That said, here are the roaming prices with the three main operators working in UK:
- EE roaming in Australia: Its best advantage is that you can pay as you go or activate a monthly plan to get access the Internet abroad.
- Roaming with O2 in Australia: This company offers 24-hour or 30-day plans, depending on the length of your stay in the country.
- Three roaming for Australia: You have to pay, if you want mobile Internet, but you can call and text UK numbers.
- Vodafone roaming for Australia: You can pay £6 per day to have data plans in Australia.
Internet coverage in Australia
Please note that the frequency bands used in the southern country to access the Internet are different from those in UK. Virtually every country operates on its own frequency bands, so we recommend that you make sure that your phone will be able to operate with a SIM card in Australia.
. However, there are specialized websites where you can check your phone's compatibility with these frequency bands. And if you contract your eSIM Australia with Holafly, their customer service will do this consultation for you.
The most widespread telephone operators in the country are Optus, Vodafone and Telstra. You'll find them in almost every town, so you shouldn't have any problems with Internet access in Australia.
One thing you should be aware of is that Australia is a very large country with very sparsely populated areas where Internet connection may not be as efficient. That's why it's important to be familiar with the areas you'll be visiting.
Reasons why you should have the best Internet in Australia
You might want to book a table at a trendy restaurant or hire a car to get around the country's cities. In addition, there are many other reasons why you may want to have the best Internet in Australia:
- Book any ticket: Another option is to travel on the Aussie bus or train network. In this case, you will find it easier to book tickets online.
- Call for free from WhatsApp: Regardless of the option you choose to connect to the internet in Australia, it is always useful to be able to make calls from WhatsApp at no extra cost.
- Use Google Maps: It is very likely that you do not know the cities you will visit in Australia, so being able to access Google Maps will give you the autonomy and peace of mind you need to get around.
- Design your own routes: Given the large size and depopulation of Australia, it’s not it won't be strange if you want to move between regions. Therefore, you'll need mobile Internet to set your routes and know the roads you'll be travelling on.
If you want to make the most of your adventure in Australia, it is recommended an eSIM or Australia SIM card on your phone. Whether it's visiting Uluru-Kata Tjutao National Park or booking a diving session on the Great Barrier Reef, with a reliable connection it's so much easier. Not to mention the many other plans you can organize in a couple of clicks, such as spending a day at the Sydney Opera House or surfing at Bondi Beach among many others.
Tips before travelling to Australia
Remember that when you travel to Australia, you are travelling to another continent, so there are a number of particularities to be aware of:
- International driving licence: If you drive and want to have as much freedom as possible in Australia, we recommend you to get an international driving licence.
- Three time zones: Australia is a huge country, so there are three different time zones. Keep these in mind when travelling between regions. Especially if you're planning to change trains or planes.
- Visa: Remember you'll need to prepare your visa before you fly. Otherwise, it will cost you an arm and a leg to enter the country. A tourist visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to 12 months.
- Medicines: While there are many medicines that you will not have to justify, such as contraceptives, painkillers or antibiotics, there are many others that you will not be able to take with you without a medical justification. We recommend you to inform about that before you fly.
If your trip to Australia is part of a larger trip, you may need to know how to get internet in other countries or cities. Here are some interesting ones:
FAQs about Internet in Australia
How can I access the Internet in Australia?
The main alternatives for Internet connection in Australia are buying a SIM card, renting a wifi pocket device or activating your provider’s roaming service. But the best option of all is to get an eSIM card for Australia.
How do I activate roaming when I travel to Australia?
Most operators automatically activate the roaming service as soon as you cross the national border. So we recommend you to cancel data roaming from your phone if you do not want the service.
What are the most extended telephone operators in Australia?
The main operators in Australia are Vodafone, Optus and Telstra.
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