Australia SIM cards: how Telstra, Optus and Vodafone differ, and whether your phone will work

Australia has three mobile networks to choose from: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. All cover the major cities well, while remote areas differ. Before buying, check that your phone supports 4G or 5G with VoLTE, because the 3G networks are closed. Your passport will be used to verify your identity when a prepaid SIM is activated.

Which mobile networks does Australia have?

Australia has three network operators: Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom, which markets its service as Vodafone. Many smaller SIM brands resell capacity on these networks, so it helps to check which network a SIM actually runs on.

How far does coverage reach: cities versus the outback?

Major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are well covered by every network, but large regional, outback and mountain areas have no mobile coverage at all, whichever network you use.

• Download offline maps in Google Maps before leaving a city.
• On long drives, tell someone your route and expected arrival time.
• Check the coverage map of the network you are considering against your actual route.

The 3G networks are closed: will your phone work in Australia?

Vodafone and TPG switched off 3G on 15 December 2023, and Telstra and Optus did so on 28 October 2024. A phone therefore needs 4G or 5G with VoLTE to work properly.

Under the ACMA Emergency Call Service Determination, carriers must stop serving phones that cannot reach Triple Zero (000) over 4G or VoLTE. Telstra states that incompatible phones belonging to international visitors may be blocked from connecting when first switched on in Australia, and that imported or overseas-configured phones may be blocked or get reduced coverage. Wi-Fi still works.

Do you need a passport to buy a prepaid SIM in Australia?

Yes. ACMA rules require carriers to verify a customer's identity before activating a prepaid mobile service, and visitors typically use a passport. Bring it to the shop or have it ready to photograph in the app.

• Verification can be a visual document check, the government Document Verification Service, or another approved method.
• Data-only eSIM plans from overseas providers are a separate type of product.
• Australian numbers use the country code +61, and mobile numbers starting with 04 drop the 0 when dialled from Thailand.

What is the emergency number in Australia?

The emergency number is 000, known as Triple Zero. Dialling 112 from a mobile connects to the same service but gets no priority over 000.

• According to the Department of Infrastructure, 112 needs coverage from some network and works even without a SIM.
• The Emergency+ app shows your location so you can tell the operator where you are.

What should you check about your phone and SIM before you fly?

Check three things before departure: the phone model, whether the handset is free to accept another SIM, and how you will receive bank OTP codes from Thailand. These are far easier to sort out at home than at Sydney or Melbourne airport.

• Confirm the model supports VoLTE and emergency calling in Australia. Older or unusual models may not work.
• Ask your Thai operator whether the handset is locked to its network, since a locked phone will not accept another SIM.
• Keep the Thai SIM in the phone for bank SMS and switch data roaming off to avoid unexpected charges.
• Install an eSIM or your chosen carrier's app before leaving, while you still have Wi-Fi.

Which is better for internet in Australia, a local SIM or an eSIM?

A local SIM gives you an Australian number that can receive SMS, but needs a passport ID check. A data-only eSIM has no Australian number but can be installed before you fly. Either way, your phone must first meet the VoLTE requirement. For a brand comparison, see “Internet for Australia: How to Choose an Australia eSIM”.

查看澳洲的 eSIM 方案