Find the right SIM, for Australia and anywhere you go.

A SIM only plan gives you a SIM card with calls, texts and data but no handset. You use it in a phone you already own. SIM only plans are significantly cheaper than buying a phone on a plan because you are not paying off the cost of the handset. In Australia they come as prepaid (you recharge a set amount every 28 or 30 days, or for longer periods) or postpaid (billed monthly in arrears), with no lock-in contract on most plans.

Yes, for most people. If your phone is paid off or you own your handset outright, switching to a SIM only plan typically saves real money each month compared to bundling a phone and SIM together. Over a year, the difference can easily be several hundred dollars depending on your data needs and which provider you choose.

Yes. When you sign up with a new provider in Australia, you give them your existing mobile number and they handle the port from your old provider. There is no PAC code or similar step like in the UK. The port usually completes within a few hours, sometimes longer, and you do not lose your number during the switch.

Prepaid means you pay upfront for a set period of calls, texts and data and recharge before it expires. Postpaid means you are billed at the end of each month for the plan you used. Both can be no lock-in in Australia. Prepaid suits people who want strict cost control. Postpaid suits people who want one less recharge to think about each month.

An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone. Instead of inserting a plastic SIM, you scan a QR code or download a profile through an app. Major Australian providers including Lyca and Superloop offer eSIM options. eSIMs make switching providers and setting up travel SIMs faster, since there is no physical card to wait for in the post.

Lyca Mobile runs on the Vodafone network in Australia. This changed in 2024 when Lyca switched from Telstra to Vodafone. Coverage is excellent across cities and major towns, with the Vodafone 4G and 5G footprint behind it. Lyca's strength is international calling and budget-friendly plans, particularly suited to expat communities and travellers.

For any trip longer than 2 to 3 days, a travel SIM or eSIM almost always works out cheaper than AU carrier roaming day-passes. The exact maths depends on your destination, but countries like Thailand, Bali and Japan have very cheap local tourist SIMs. For multi-country trips through Europe, a Europe-wide eSIM is usually the easiest path. For short business trips of a few days, AU roaming day-passes can be the simplest option.