On this page 14 sections
- Australia at a glance
- Why Australia is different
- Quick picks
- Step 1: Size your plan for Australia
- Step 2: Compare published prices
- Step 3: Check the fine print
- The seven providers
- Paying for Sydney transport by contactless
- Will your phone work?
- Entry rules: ETA, eVisitor or visitor visa
- Our take
- Before you fly
- FAQ
- Sources and method
Australia at a glance
Checked 4 November 2026- Cheapest plan listed
- $31 GB / 30 days, Yesim (Saily: 1 GB / 7 days for $3.99)
- 7 days unlimited
- $22Ubigi (Maya’s global plan: $19.99)
- 10 GB for 30 days
- $15Nomad (Ubigi: $16)
- Do this first
- Check your phone supports 4G voice calling (VoLTE), especially if it’s older
These Australia plans are data-only, with no Australian phone number. Keep your home SIM on for bank and app SMS codes.
Why Australia is different
Network coverage. Of the providers we checked, most name Optus: Airalo, Saily and Ubigi all list it. Nomad is the only one that lists Telstra as well as Optus. Holafly and Yesim didn’t name a network. Coverage between the big cities, in national parks and in the outback varies by network, so if you’re driving, compare your route on the official Telstra and Optus coverage maps before you buy. A travel eSIM may not get every band or feature the operator’s own customers get, so treat the maps as a guide.
The 3G shutdown. Australia’s 3G networks have closed. The communications regulator, ACMA, says that under the new rules phones that can’t make emergency calls to Triple Zero (000) aren’t allowed to operate on 4G and 5G networks. ACMA lists the affected phones as 3G phones, 4G phones that use 3G for emergency calls, and 4G phones that can’t make voice calls over 4G (VoLTE).
Older or unusual phone? Check before you go
The rules are written for Australian telcos and their customers. The official pages we read don’t say exactly how they’re applied to a visiting phone on a travel eSIM, so we can’t tell you whether an affected phone would be blocked. If your phone is old, a budget model or bought for a different market, check with its maker that it supports VoLTE and emergency calling on 4G in Australia. Nomad’s Australia page also asks Android users to check device compatibility. Never call 000 to test a phone.
Quick picks
A week or two, normal use
A 10 GB / 30-day fixed plan. The lowest listed were Nomad at $15, Ubigi at $16 and Saily at $17.99.
Heavy use or tethering
A week of unlimited data costs $22 from Ubigi, which gives 20 GB at full speed and then 2 Mbps. Nomad ($25) and Airalo ($26.50) cost more. Maya’s global plan is $19.99.
Outside the cities
Nomad is the only provider here that lists Telstra as well as Optus. Compare both coverage maps for your route, and download offline maps before you set off.
A month or more
Nomad’s 50 GB for 30 days costs $32, against $45.00 at Airalo and $55 at Ubigi. For unlimited data over 30 days, Maya’s global plan ($49.99) was lowest; Ubigi lists $65.
Step 1: Size your plan for Australia
Maps and messaging are light on data, but long drives mean more navigation, and you’ll lean on your phone for everything from transport to bookings. As a rough guide, maps and messaging use hundreds of megabytes a day, while video and video calls can use several gigabytes. These are general estimates, not measurements.
Under a week, maps, messages and transit
3–5 GB fixed plan
1–2 weeks, photos, social apps and video
10–20 GB fixed, or unlimited
Remote work, video calls, tethering a laptop
Unlimited, after checking its fair-use and hotspot rules
Step 2: Compare published prices
Unlimited plans by trip length
| Days | Airalo | Nomad | Holafly | Ubigi | Yesim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | $11.50 | $11 (lowest listed) | $11.90 | — | $12.60 |
| 5 days | $18.50 | $18 (lowest listed) | $20.50 | — | $21.00 |
| 7 days | $26.50 | $25 | $27.50 | $22 (lowest listed) | $29.40 |
| 10 days | $32.00 | $29 (lowest listed) | $37.50 | — | $35.93 |
| 15 days | $45.00 | — | $51.50 | $42 (lowest listed) | $46.80 |
| 30 days | $66.50 | — | $76.50 | $65 (lowest listed) | $68.40 |
Lowest listed price in the row — means no plan of that length was listed. Holafly ($3.90) and Yesim ($4.20) also sell a single day. Saily sells unlimited plans too; its site wouldn’t let us read the price for each length, so it isn’t in the table. Maya sells one global unlimited plan at the same price for every country: $9.99 for 3 days, $19.99 for 7, $27.99 for 14 and $49.99 for 30 (see Maya). Official pages, checked 4 November 2026.
Fixed-data plans
| Data | Airalo | Nomad | Saily | Ubigi | Yesim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $4.003 days | $47 days | $3.997 days | $47 days | $3.0030 days (lowest listed) |
| 3 GB | $8.007 days | $730 days (lowest listed) | $7.9930 days | $815 days | $7.9230 days |
| 5 GB | $11.0030 days | $1030 days (lowest listed) | $10.9930 days | — | $11.5230 days |
| 10 GB | $18.0030 days | $1530 days (lowest listed) | $17.9930 days | $1630 days | $19.2030 days |
| 20 GB | $30.0030 days | $2430 days (lowest listed) | $29.9930 days | — | $26.4030 days |
| 50 GB | $45.0030 days | $3230 days (lowest listed) | — | $5530 days | — |
Lowest listed price in the row Validity differs, so compare the small print as well as the price. Airalo also lists shorter versions (for example 10 GB for 7 days at $16.50). Ubigi also lists 10 GB for 7 days ($14) and 25 GB for 30 days ($32). Yesim also lists 30 GB for $33.60. Official pages, checked 4 November 2026.
Step 3: Check the fine print
- Networks. Nomad lists Optus and Telstra. Airalo, Saily and Ubigi name Optus. Holafly and Yesim didn’t name a network on the pages we read.
- Unlimited isn’t always unlimited. Ubigi’s 7-day unlimited plan gives 20 GB at full speed, then 2 Mbps. Holafly lets you share 1 GB a day by hotspot. Yesim says fair-usage speed limits may apply. Airalo’s and Nomad’s Australia pages didn’t state a limit, so check the plan details before you buy.
- Activation windows. Nomad starts a plan automatically 60 days after purchase if you haven’t used it. Yesim and Saily give 180 days.
- No Australian number. These plans are data-only. Saily sells an optional US phone number, and Yesim offers a 20-minute calling add-on for $4.79.
The seven providers
Airalo
- Australia from
- $4.001 GB / 3 days
- Unlimited
- $26.507 days; $66.50 for 30 days
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $18.00
What stands out
The widest range of plan sizes on its Australia page: 1 GB to 50 GB in 3-, 7-, 15- and 30-day versions, plus unlimited plans from 3 to 30 days, on Optus.
What to watch
Mid-range on price. The Australia page doesn’t state a fair-use limit for unlimited plans.
Nomad
- Australia from
- $41 GB / 7 days
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $15lowest listed
- Unlimited
- $257 days; $29 for 10 days
What stands out
The only provider here that lists Telstra as well as Optus, and the lowest listed prices for 10 GB, 20 GB and 50 GB over 30 days.
What to watch
Unlimited plans stop at 10 days. Plans start automatically 60 days after purchase, and the page asks Android users to check device compatibility.
Holafly
- Australia from
- $3.901 day unlimited
- Unlimited
- $27.507 days; $76.50 for 30 days
- Backup
- "Always On": 1 GB a month
What stands out
The simplest choice: pick the number of days and get unlimited data. Every eSIM includes "Always On" backup data, and Holafly says refund requests can be made up to 6 months after purchase.
What to watch
Hotspot sharing is limited to 1 GB a day. The 30-day plan is the most expensive here, and the Australia page doesn’t name a network.
Saily
- Australia from
- $3.991 GB / 7 days
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $17.99
- Unlimited
- Sold; prices per length not shown to us
What stands out
From the company behind NordVPN. Its Australia page names Optus, fixed plans are mid-range on price, you get 180 days to activate, and you can add a US phone number.
What to watch
We couldn’t read its unlimited prices for each trip length. No plan above 20 GB.
Ubigi
- Australia from
- $41 GB / 7 days
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $16
- Unlimited
- $227 days; $42 for 15; $65 for 30
What stands out
The lowest country-plan price for 7 or 15 days of unlimited data. Its 7-day unlimited plan states the limit plainly: 20 GB at full speed, then 2 Mbps, and says data sharing is allowed.
What to watch
We only read the fair-use terms for the 7-day plan. Its 50 GB plan ($55) is the most expensive of that size here.
Yesim
- Australia from
- $3.001 GB / 30 days
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $19.20
- Unlimited
- $29.407 days; $68.40 for 30
What stands out
The cheapest small plan here (1 GB for 30 days), every fixed plan lasts 30 days, and unlimited data can be bought by the day ($4.20 for one).
What to watch
The highest price here for a week of unlimited. It doesn’t name a network, hotspot use depends on the operator, and fair-usage speed limits may apply.
Maya
- 3 days
- $9.99unlimited data
- 7 days
- $19.99unlimited data
- 30 days
- $49.99unlimited data
What stands out
The lowest price we found for 3 or 7 days of unlimited data. It’s one global plan, so the same eSIM keeps working if Australia is one stop of several. Maya’s page says "No caps, no throttling."
What to watch
It renews automatically while Travel Mode is on, so turn it off when you get home. The page we read doesn’t name the local networks or spell out a fair-use policy, and we haven’t tested the no-throttling claim.
Paying for Sydney transport by contactless
Transport for NSW says you can tap on and off with a contactless American Express, Mastercard or Visa card, or the same cards in a digital wallet, instead of buying an Opal card:
- Same fares as Opal. Contactless payments get the same fares, daily and weekly caps and the 30% off-peak discount as an adult Opal card.
- Where it works: across the Opal network in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast, the Hunter and the Illawarra.
- Fees for overseas cards. Your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee; Transport for NSW says it’s charged once per day of travel.
Other cities run their own systems, so check the local transport site before you rely on a bank card.
Will your phone work?
- eSIM-capable and unlocked. Apple lists iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later. Settings → General → About should say "No SIM restrictions" next to Carrier Lock (full checklist).
- Bought in mainland China? Apple says that in China mainland only the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air support eSIM. Many older mainland models use two physical SIM cards instead, so check for Add eSIM in your settings before you buy a plan.
- Bought in Hong Kong or Macau? Apple notes that certain iPhone models sold there have two nano-SIM slots. Check for Add eSIM in your settings first.
- Check VoLTE on older phones. If your phone is several years old or a budget model, confirm with its maker that it supports 4G voice calling (VoLTE) and emergency calls in Australia (see the 3G shutdown).
- Install before you fly. Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi and leave the line switched off until you land (install guide).
Entry rules: ETA, eVisitor or visitor visa
Visitors to Australia generally need a visa or travel authority arranged before they travel. The Department of Home Affairs lists three main options for tourists:
- Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601). For holders of eligible passports, including the USA, Canada, the UK (British citizens), Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong (SAR). You apply through the Australian ETA app; Home Affairs says there’s a AUD20 service charge to use the app and no other charge. Stays are up to 3 months at a time.
- eVisitor (subclass 651). Home Affairs says European passport holders may be eligible. Stays are up to 3 months at a time.
- Visitor visa (subclass 600). For everyone else, including holders of mainland Chinese passports, with stays of up to 3, 6 or 12 months. Check the fee and requirements on the Home Affairs page.
Apply through official channels
Check the eligible-passport list for your own passport on the Home Affairs page before you apply. The ETA app is the official channel for an ETA, so there’s no need to pay a third-party site.
Our take
For most visitors, a 10 GB fixed plan is enough for a week or two; Nomad ($15) and Ubigi ($16) were the lowest we found. For unlimited, Ubigi’s week costs $22 with a published 20 GB full-speed allowance. If you’re driving long distances, Nomad is the only provider here that lists Telstra as well as Optus, so compare both coverage maps for your route. And if your phone is older, check VoLTE support before you go.
Affiliate links. Prices are set by the provider and confirmed at checkout.
Before you fly
Check your phone
Make sure it’s unlocked and eSIM-capable (how to check), and that older phones support VoLTE.
Get your ETA or visa
Apply in the Australian ETA app, through ImmiAccount for an eVisitor, or for a visitor visa, depending on your passport.
Buy and install at home
Install on Wi-Fi before departure and keep the line off until you land. With Nomad, don’t buy more than 60 days ahead.
Switch on when you land
Turn on the travel line, enable data roaming for that line, and set it as your mobile-data line. Download offline maps before any long drive.
Check entry rules
The Department of Home Affairs is the authority on Australian visas. Visa services such as iVisa exist, but you can apply directly.
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Open the checklistFrequently asked questions
What’s the cheapest Australia eSIM?
On the official pages we checked (4 November 2026), 1 GB started at $3 (Yesim, 30 days). For 10 GB over 30 days, Nomad listed $15. A week of unlimited data cost $22 from Ubigi, or $19.99 on Maya’s global plan.
Do travel eSIMs use Telstra or Optus?
Most of the providers we checked name Optus (Airalo, Saily, Ubigi). Nomad lists both Optus and Telstra. Holafly and Yesim didn’t name a network.
Will my phone work in Australia after the 3G shutdown?
Most phones that support 4G voice calling (VoLTE) and emergency calls on 4G should be fine. ACMA says 3G phones, and 4G phones that rely on 3G for emergency or voice calls, are affected. The pages we read don’t say exactly how this applies to visiting phones, so check older models with the maker.
Is unlimited data really unlimited in Australia?
Not always. Ubigi’s 7-day plan slows to 2 Mbps after 20 GB, Holafly caps hotspot sharing at 1 GB a day, and Yesim says fair-usage limits may apply. Maya says its plan has no caps or throttling.
Will a travel eSIM work in the outback?
Coverage outside towns depends on the network, and large areas between towns have limited or no mobile coverage. Check the official Telstra and Optus coverage maps for your route, and carry offline maps.
Do Australia eSIMs come with a phone number?
No, these plans are data-only. Saily sells an optional US number, and Yesim has a 20-minute calling add-on. Keep your home SIM on for SMS codes.
How much does an Australian ETA cost?
Home Affairs says there’s a AUD20 service charge to use the Australian ETA app and no other charge for an ETA. It’s only for eligible passports; others need an eVisitor or a visitor visa.
Can I use my own bank card on Sydney trains?
Yes. Transport for NSW accepts contactless Amex, Mastercard and Visa cards and digital wallets, with the same fares and caps as Opal. Your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee, once per day of travel.
Sources and method
Last checked 4 November 2026
All prices and plan facts on this page were read from these official pages on 4 November 2026. We have not purchased or tested these plans ourselves; we summarize what the providers publish, in our own words. Read our method.
- Airalo — Australia eSIMsChecked 4 November 2026
- Nomad — Australia eSIMChecked 4 November 2026
- Holafly — eSIM for AustraliaChecked 4 November 2026
- Saily — eSIM for AustraliaChecked 4 November 2026
- Ubigi — Australia data plansChecked 4 November 2026
- Ubigi — Australia Unlimited, 7 days (fair-use terms and network)Checked 4 November 2026
- Yesim — eSIM for AustraliaChecked 4 November 2026
- Maya — Australia eSIMChecked 4 November 2026
- Apple Support — Use eSIM while traveling internationally with your iPhoneChecked 4 November 2026
- ACMA — Ensuring mobiles can reach 000 after the 3G shutdownChecked 4 November 2026
- Australian Government, Department of Infrastructure — Emergency callsChecked 4 November 2026
- Telstra — Our coverage mapsChecked 4 November 2026
- Optus — Mobile coverage mapsChecked 4 November 2026
- Transport for NSW — Contactless paymentsChecked 4 November 2026
- Transport for NSW — Best ways for visitors to payChecked 4 November 2026
- Department of Home Affairs — Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)Checked 4 November 2026
- Department of Home Affairs — eVisitor (subclass 651)Checked 4 November 2026
- Department of Home Affairs — Visitor visa (subclass 600)Checked 4 November 2026
- SafetyWing: Nomad InsuranceChecked 4 November 2026