Optus has sharpened its SIM-only postpaid and prepaid offerings into one of the most compelling value lineups among Australian carriers. With plans ranging from $19 entry-level to family-shared 320GB setups, the telco punches above its weight on data-per-dollar against Telstra and Vodafone rivals.
Cheapest Optus Plan: $19 · Family SIM Plan Data: 320GB shared for $165/mth · Prepaid Starter Data: 45GB for $39/28 days · Postpaid SIM Options: Month-to-month no lock-in · Network Coverage: Optus 4G/5G Australia-wide
Quick snapshot
- Exact availability of the $19 entry-level plan across all retail channels
- MVNO partner speeds on the Optus network under heavy load conditions
- Whether the SubHub $10 credit applies to new customers only or existing ones
- Promotional pricing on Optus postpaid plans shifts quarterly; current deals appear active through mid-2026
- Optus 5G rollout continues expanding to regional centres, with coverage maps updated monthly
- Budget-conscious buyers and families sharing data stand to benefit most from current Optus SIM-only deals
- MVNO alternatives like Amaysim on the Optus network offer additional flexibility for price-sensitive users
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting SIM Price | $19 postpaid |
| Max Shared Data | 320GB family |
| Prepaid Data Option | 45GB/$39 |
| Contract Length | Month-to-month |
| Network | Optus 4G/5G |
| International Calls | To 35 destinations on promo plan |
| Global Roaming | $5/day on postpaid |
What is the best SIM-only plan in Australia?
Top Optus SIM-only options
Optus runs a tiered SIM-only postpaid lineup that rewards heavier data users. The Optus Promo Plan sits at the sweet spot for most people: 360GB monthly data at AU$69/month for the first 12 months (then AU$79/month). That works out to roughly 19 cents per gigabyte during the promo period — competitive even against budget MVNOs.
For lighter users, the Small Choice Plus delivers 50GB at AU$55/month, while the Medium Choice Plus bumps that to 200GB at AU$65/month. All Optus postpaid SIM plans include unlimited standard national calls and texts with no excess data charges, though speeds throttle to 1.5Mbps once your allowance runs out (Canstar).
Vs Telstra and Vodafone
Telstra leads on network reach, particularly in rural and remote areas, but its SIM-only plans start noticeably higher. Vodafone undercuts both on price but its network coverage lags in regional Australia. Optus sits in the middle: broader 4G/5G coverage than Vodafone in most metro areas, and generally cheaper entry points than Telstra.
The Mobile Coverage Map Australia data shows Optus 4G reach covers approximately 98.5% of the Australian population, putting it close behind Telstra but ahead of Vodafone for urban connectivity. For buyers who split time between cities and regional centres, Optus strikes a reasonable balance.
What is the $19 Optus plan?
Plan details and inclusions
The $19 Optus SIM-only plan serves as the entry point to the postpaid lineup. It delivers month-to-month flexibility with national calls included — no lock-in contract tying you down. Data allowance on this tier is modest, sitting well below the 50GB baseline of higher tiers.
For anyone primarily on Wi-Fi or using minimal mobile data, this plan keeps costs low without unnecessary extras. The trade-off is that power users will burn through the data cap quickly, making the Promo Plan at AU$69/month better value for only $50 more per month.
The $19 plan works for light users, but the jump to the Promo Plan’s 360GB is small enough that heavy streamers or commuters relying on mobile data should crunch the numbers first.
Data and value breakdown
When you map data allowance against monthly cost, Optus SIM-only plans favour mid-to-high tiers. The Promo Plan offers the best data-per-dollar ratio at its promotional price, while lower tiers carry a higher cost-per-gigabyte. Analysts at Canstar note that Optus postpaid plans include uncapped 5G access across the entire lineup — a feature sometimes locked behind premium tiers with competitors.
What is the best Optus plan for data?
High-data SIM-only picks
For data-hungry users, the Optus Promo Plan’s 360GB allowance is the headline figure. During the promotional window, 360GB at AU$69/month beats most competitors on a per-gigabyte basis. After the promo expires at month 13, the rate jumps to AU$79/month — still reasonable but less distinctive.
The Medium Choice Plus at AU$65/month for 200GB serves as a solid mid-range alternative if you don’t need the full 360GB. For families or households with multiple SIMs, Optus offers shared data plans that let 4 SIMs split 320GB for AU$165/month — effectively AU$41.25 per line for substantial pooled data.
Families get the strongest value from Optus SIM-only when they pool data: four lines on 320GB for AU$165/month cuts per-line costs below what most solo plans offer, making it the most efficient way to stretch a high-data allowance across a household.
Unlimited data options
Optus postpaid plans advertise “unlimited” data but with a caveat: once your monthly allowance is exhausted, speeds throttle to 1.5Mbps. For standard browsing, email, and light streaming, this remains usable. For video calls or HD streaming, the throttle becomes noticeable.
Prepaid plans operate differently — no throttle, but no rollover of data beyond the 200GB cap on unused data. Prepaid Flex Plus plans come in 7-day, 28-day, 186-day, and 365-day expiry periods, giving flexibility for short-term needs or long-term savings with longer recharge cycles.
What is the $30 plan for Optus?
$30 My Plan Plus details
The $30 My Plan Plus sits above the $19 entry-level tier but below the mid-range options. It typically includes more data allowance, 5G access, and the same unlimited national talk and text as other Optus postpaid SIM plans. No excess data charges apply — a consistent feature across the Optus postpaid range.
This plan appeals to users who want 5G speeds without paying premium rates. The 5G access is uncapped on all Optus postpaid SIM plans (Canstar), making it a baseline feature rather than a tier-gated bonus.
Comparisons to prepaid
Postpaid at $30 and above typically beats prepaid on value when you factor in 5G access and no-excess-charge policies. Prepaid plans like the Optus Prepaid 45GB for AU$39/28 days work better for variable usage patterns or those who prefer not to commit to monthly billing. Prepaid users also get rollover on unused data (up to 200GB), which can stretch a single recharge across multiple periods for light users.
The trade-off: postpaid plans include global roaming at AU$5/day (Canstar), a feature that requires separate purchase on most prepaid tiers. Frequent travellers should factor this into the total cost.
Which SIM has the best coverage in Australia?
Optus vs rivals coverage
Telstra maintains the widest mobile coverage footprint in Australia, particularly in remote and rural areas where its infrastructure investment outpaces competitors. Optus covers approximately 98.5% of the population with 4G, placing it firmly in second position ahead of Vodafone. In major metropolitan areas, all three carriers offer comparable urban coverage.
The Optus 5G rollout continues expanding into regional centres, with the network adding new towers quarterly. Coverage maps from Canstar coverage analysis show particular growth in suburban zones around major cities.
Coverage map insights
Users can check Optus coverage maps by address on the Optus website to confirm indoor and outdoor signal strength for their specific location. For buyers in fringe coverage areas or apartment buildings with historically weak signal, checking the coverage map before committing to a SIM-only plan is essential — unlike hardware bundles, you can’t return a SIM for signal reasons.
Coverage varies at the street level even within well-served postcodes. A user two blocks away from a tower may get different signal strength than their neighbour. Checking Optus’s address-specific coverage map before signing up prevents unpleasant surprises.
Optus SIM-only pricing comparison
Nine plans across three tiers, one clear pattern: data-per-dollar improves sharply as you move up the range.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Data Allowance | Key Inclusions | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19 SIM Only | AU$19 | Modest | National calls, no lock-in | Light Wi-Fi-first users |
| $30 My Plan Plus | AU$30 | Moderate | 5G access, unlimited talk/text | Budget 5G seekers |
| Small Choice Plus | AU$55 | 50GB | 5G, unlimited calls/text | Moderate data users |
| Medium Choice Plus | AU$65 | 200GB | 5G, unlimited calls/text | Heavy streamers |
| Promo Plan | AU$69 (first 12 months) | 360GB | 5G, SubHub credit, intl. calls to 35 destinations | Maximum value |
| Family 4-SIM Shared | AU$165 | 320GB shared | 5G on all lines, unlimited calls/text | Families, multi-line households |
| Prepaid 45GB | AU$39 per 28 days | 45GB | AutoRecharge perks, data rollover | Prepaid users, variable usage |
| Prepaid $350 SIM | AU$275 (first 365 days) | 300GB (first 3 recharges), then 220GB | Long expiry, rollover enabled | Infrequent users, travellers |
| Flex Plus 365-day | Varies by recharge amount | Scales with recharge | 7/28/186/365-day expiry options | Users wanting flexibility |
The pattern is consistent across all nine plans: entry-level tiers carry a higher cost-per-gigabyte, while mid-range and promotional plans deliver exponentially better value for users who can commit to higher monthly spend.
Spec table: Optus SIM-only plan features
Twelve features across network, calling, roaming, and data policy — what each Optus SIM-only plan includes.
| Feature | Postpaid Plans | Prepaid Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Network Technology | 4G and uncapped 5G | 4G and 5G (where available) |
| National Calls | Unlimited standard national | Unlimited on most plans |
| National Texts | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Excess Data Charges | None (throttled at 1.5Mbps) | None on recharge |
| International Calls | To 35 destinations on Promo Plan | Varies by plan |
| Global Roaming | $5/day on postpaid | Available for purchase |
| Data Rollover | Not on postpaid | Up to 200GB on prepaid |
| Contract Type | Month-to-month (no lock-in) | Prepaid (no contract) |
| 5G Access | Uncapped across all tiers | Available on 5G-capable plans |
| AutoRecharge | N/A | Available on Flex Plus |
| SubHub Credit | $10/month on Promo Plan | N/A |
| Expiry Options | N/A | 7/28/186/365 days |
The feature split shows postpaid plans prioritising connectivity perks (global roaming, SubHub credit) while prepaid plans emphasise flexibility (rollover, multiple expiry windows). Buyers choosing postpaid get roaming access bundled at $5/day rather than as a costly add-on.
Upsides
- Strong data-per-dollar at mid-to-high tiers (360GB for AU$69/month promo pricing)
- Uncapped 5G access across all postpaid SIM-only tiers
- Family shared data plans let 4 SIMs split 320GB for AU$165/month total
- No excess data charges on any plan — throttling instead of billing shocks
- Prepaid data rollover up to 200GB benefits variable or light users
- Global roaming add-on at AU$5/day on postpaid is competitively priced
Downsides
- “Unlimited” data throttles to 1.5Mbps after allowance exhausted
- Promotional pricing on best plans expires after 12 months
- Postpaid plans have no data rollover — unused data is lost each month
- International calls limited to 35 destinations on Promo Plan
- MVNO speeds on Optus network under heavy load not publicly documented
- Entry-level $19 plan offers modest data — may not suit regular mobile streamers
Confirmed facts and industry context
Australia’s mobile market operates on three major networks (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone) plus a range of MVNOs that resell access to those networks. Optus sits as the middle-tier carrier — competitive on price, strong on metro coverage, with 5G rollout ongoing across suburban and regional zones.
SIM-only plans have grown in popularity as consumers seek flexibility and avoid device financing costs. Canstar rates SIM-only postpaid plans as a top consideration for budget-conscious buyers, noting month-to-month no lock-in structures across the Optus range.
What industry voices say
Optus offers month-to-month SIM-only postpaid plans with unlimited standard national calls and texts, no excess data charges, and uncapped 5G access.
— Canstar (mobile plan analyst)
The Optus Promo Plan includes AU$10 monthly credit towards SubHub subscription services and unlimited international calls and texts to 35 destinations.
— TechRadar (technology publication)
For Australian mobile buyers weighing SIM-only options, the landscape has shifted meaningfully toward value at the mid-range. Optus’s 360GB Promo Plan at AU$69/month during the first year sets a benchmark that Telstra doesn’t match at comparable price points, while Vodafone undercuts on price but trades off network breadth.
Related reading: Optus mobile phone plans · Compare Australian service providers
techradar.com, cmobile.com.au, tomsguide.com, optus.com.au, optus.com.au
Frequently asked questions
Optus SIM-only plans: unlimited data?
Optus postpaid SIM-only plans advertise unlimited data, but once your monthly allowance is exhausted, speeds throttle to 1.5Mbps. This means you won’t lose connectivity, but HD streaming or video calls may suffer. The throttle is not a billing charge — it simply slows your connection.
Best Optus mobile plans for iPhone?
Optus SIM-only plans work with any unlocked iPhone (iPhone 8 and later support 4G/5G on the Optus network). No iPhone-specific plan exists — you choose the data tier and the SIM works in your device. iPhone 12 and later models support Optus 5G.
Optus monthly plans vs prepaid?
Postpaid plans ($19 and above) offer uncapped 5G, no excess charges, and AU$5/day global roaming. Prepaid plans offer data rollover up to 200GB, multiple expiry options (7–365 days), and no billing commitment. Postpaid suits regular users needing 5G and roaming; prepaid suits variable or light users.
Optus student plan details?
Optus occasionally offers student discounts through partner programs (NUS, student unions). These typically apply a percentage off selected postpaid plans. Check Optus’s current promotions page or your institution’s student benefits portal for active offers.
Optus prepaid recharge options?
Optus prepaid users can recharge via the Optus app, online, in-store, or at participating retailers. Flex Plus plans offer AutoRecharge functionality that automatically tops up when balance runs low. Prepaid data rollover allows up to 200GB unused data to carry forward to the next recharge cycle.
Telstra SIM-only plans vs Optus?
Telstra SIM-only plans start at higher price points than Optus equivalents. Telstra’s advantage is broader rural and remote coverage and priority network access during congestion. Optus undercuts on price and offers comparable metro coverage, making it the better value choice for urban and suburban buyers.
Are Optus SIM-only deals cheaper?
Generally, yes — SIM-only plans are cheaper than bundled plans that include device financing because you’re not paying off hardware. Optus SIM-only postpaid plans range from AU$19 to AU$79/month depending on data tier, while comparable bundled plans with the same data typically cost AU$15–25 more per month.
Thomas Grant leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Australian News Desk.