Your first steps in Australia with a Working Holiday Visa

Plans and carriers

Telstra is one of the main carriers Australians use. It is Australia’s largest mobile network and has the best coverage nationwide, which can be very useful if you are planning to spend time in the Outback. It’s especially worth considering Telstra if you are intending to complete three or six months of farm work, as you’ll be living in a remote area.

However, Telstra’s extensive coverage comes at a price; they are one of the most expensive options. If you’re planning to stay around cities and big towns, you will have more options and can shop around for carriers.

The other two main carriers are Vodafone and Optus. Optus still offers good nationwide coverage but Vodafone is best if you’re only sticking to big cities.

Tip: if you’re travelling as a couple or with friends, consider signing up with different carriers to get the best possible coverage; you might be able to split costs and minutes across the group.

A few low-cost carriers lease service from the main networks, including:

• Boost (Telstra)
• Aldi (Telstra)
• Woolworths (Telstra)
• Amaysim (Optus)
• Yomojo (Optus)
• Dodo (Optus)
• Coles (Optus)
• Kogan Mobile (Vodafone)

With these low-cost options, coverage won’t be as good as the coverage you get when you sign up directly with one of the big three. For instance, Aldi and Woolworths are cheaper options that use Telstra’s network but offer less coverage and a slower connection, and you won’t have the same benefit of good coverage in a remote area. Boost (also on Telstra’s network) is one of the more reliable low-cost carriers.

Many WHV holders will opt for pay-as-you-go (PAYG) or SIM-only deals to manage their budget. One- or two-year contracts are also available if you know you will stay for the whole time and plan to use your phone a lot. Month-to-month plans are a good compromise for flexibility. They cost a bit more than PAYG and you have to pay a certain minimum amount each month, but you don’t have the stress of topping up, and you aren’t tied down to any lengthy contract.

Shop around to find a plan that fits your needs. If you know you’ll be spending a lot of time in the Outback, Telstra will always be your best option, even though it’s expensive. If you’re sticking to big cities, don’t splurge for nationwide coverage. Consider Boost as a low-cost alternative to Telstra.

How to buy a plan

Do your research online, then go to your chosen carrier’s nearest retail store. You might even be able to find them in the airport! Note that you will need to bring ID (i.e. your passport).

Note that if you have an unlocked phone that is compatible with eSIMs, you can also order online. eSIMs are a great solution, as you don’t need to go to a store or wait for delivery of a physical SIM. When purchasing a plan, simply select the eSIM option when checking out. Not every carrier will offer eSIMs but the big three (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone) do support the use of eSIMs.