Best sim card for visiting Australia

[Isochronous]

I have friends visiting Australia for a holiday and they were asking me what to do about sim cards. What's the best option? I was thinking of buying them one and giving it to them when I pick them up from the airport.

Have never bought a pre-paid sim card in australia before - do we now require passport/ID sighting like Singapore too? Or are we more lax like most of the world? Now I've been asked the question I'm genuinely curious.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Have a look at Kogan mobile: unlimited calls, SMS, and generous data for a reasonable price: https://www.koganmobile.com.au/

JV

 

[an*g-bne]

There are many providers around, all of whom have plans which will probably be quite sufficient for your average visitor. Typically, each will have an unlimited domestic calls/SMS option plus 2GB to 5GB data for around $30-$40 for 30 days, and another option of around $10-$20 for 30 days with calls costing around 10c/min and data around 5c/MB. All depends on whether your visitors are likely to make many local calls/texts, or mainly want the SIM for data.

Non-exhaustive list includes Kogan (as above), Aldi, Amaysim, Boost, Woolworths as virtual network operators, and of course, the carriers themselves (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone) with typically higher pricing for the same services.

My recommendation would be to choose a provider where you can physically buy the SIM from a store, and email the SIM number/activation code details to your visitors, so that they can activate the SIM themselves online, using their own ID, before they arrive (usually need to supply two forms of ID, e.g. drivers licence, passport number, etc).

You could, of course, activate the SIMs for them using your ID, if you trust them not to do illegal things with the SIM.

From my experience, Amaysim, Woolworths and Aldi SIMs are reasonably easy to get from 7-11 (Amaysim), Woolworths and Aldi stores, and I believe Boost SIMs are available at Dick Smith. Kogan requires a mail order, and an unpredictable wait for delivery.

I've had no problems activating Amaysim and Aldi SIMs online, with just supplying my licence number, but YMMV.

 

[Buzzard]

If your friends are also looking to ring overseas, you cant go past Lebara for local and international calls.
Remember that whichever option you choose the phone(s) must not be network locked.
Also make sure you get the correct size sim - regular, micro, nano.

 

[drewbles]

Get a Telstra pre-paid SIM and be done with it I say.

For overseas calling, just use Skype whilst here if your PC is up to the task (or if they know how to use it).

 

[Isochronous]

Agreed that international calling is redundant with Skype and the host of other free internet applications these days. Data and SMS/calls seems most important. Will go for the cheapest package possible.

Is it just passport/drivers license activation on the internet now? So no physical sighting required like in Singapore where the 7-11 will photocopy your passport. But I guess that's more than places like Hong Kong where you can just buy it over the counter no questions asked.

 

[drewbles]

Agreed that international calling is redundant with Skype and the host of other free internet applications these days. Data and SMS/calls seems most important. Will go for the cheapest package possible.

Is it just passport/drivers license activation on the internet now? So no physical sighting required like in Singapore where the 7-11 will photocopy your passport. But I guess that's more than places like Hong Kong where you can just buy it over the counter no questions asked.

Australia requires valid ID to activate a pre-paid SIM, yes. The main carriers will want D/L or PP (in store they photocopy them and you fill in a form, not sure about online). I know we are fine with address and phone numbers etc when activating.

You can always buy one in your name and provide it to them of course

 

[Abigail Hobbs]

You can try international roaming free sim-cards, they're pretty convenient (free incoming calls + low rates for calling + you can use it when you go traveling to another country too, not only for Australia). Personally I use Travelsim and I'm very satisfied with their service.

 

[timmitch]

If only to call people in Australia and for data I would go a amaysim. Can get a $40 a month cancel at anytime no contract and its unlimited calls and 4or 5 gig of data.

 

[Simo]

Boost is a good offering as you get Telstra Coverage and also get 3GB of Data.

Or you could do Telstra Cap Encore which is a pre paid product and get calls included in your cap to OS.

 

[lovestotravel]

Boost $40 unlimited which gives the FULL 3G Telstra network
Optus $2 days, unlimited again, 500MB per day limit, full 3G and 4G access!

 

[Buzzard]

Aldi mobile uses Telstra 3G, $15 or $30 recharge options both give 365 day access, calls cost $0.12c per min with no flagfall.
I think only 100mb data but data packs available. A simple, straightforward option. Too many providors offer hundreds of dollars credit for say $30 but then charge up to $1.50 per minute. These types of offerings get my goat as they are not honest IMO.
It would be like me offering $1,000,000 credit for $10 - sounds good until I tell you a call cost is $50,000 per minute.

Another really good prepaid option is Optus Connect 4 Less. $10 recharge and honest rates within Oz and for overseas calling.

 

[ij05]

I'd second the Lebara - used the Lebara unlimited for an overseas friend
Call Lebara Unlimited | Prepaid Plan |Lebara
$50 incl unlimited calling to landlines and mobiles selected overseas countries which if their country of origin is included will almost pay for itself