Activation & Recharge Help

Help with activating and recharging your pre-paid service

Activating your pre-paid service and recharging your service is easy. Find answers to common questions below.

Activate support

Yes, you can activate your pre-paid service online. Before you start, you’ll need your pre-paid SIM serial number on the back of the packaging and a valid form of ID. 

You can transfer your current number from another provider or get a new Telstra number when you activate. If you want to transfer your current number to Telstra, keep your existing SIM (from your current provider) in your phone until your service is disconnected.

Once you’ve activated your SIM card, your pre-paid service should be active within 4 hours, but it can take longer. If you’re transferring your mobile number, we can only do this within our operating hours. Find out more about activating your pre-paid SIM here.

Activate your pre-paid service online in a few simple steps:

  1. Select activate prepaid
  2. Enter your SIM serial number (on the back of your SIM kit)
    serial number on a SIM kit packaging
  3. Choose to transfer your number from your current provider, or get a new Telstra number
  4. Choose whether you’d like to activate your SIM for a mobile or for another data-only device
  5. Fill out your ID details
  6. Enter your contact details
  7. Select a plan and recharge
  8. Confirm your details and click Activate.

When your Telstra service is activated, your service with your previous provider will stop working. We’ll also send you an email or text to let you know your Telstra service has been activated.

To check if your service is activated, insert it into your device. Turn the device off and back on again. If you see ‘Telstra’ next to the coverage bars, your new service is active. You can restart your device regularly to check if your service is active.

Recharge support

Recharge your pre-paid service online in a few simple steps:

  1. Go to recharge.telstra.com.au
  2. Enter your pre-paid mobile number
  3. Choose your recharge amount
  4. Securely make your payment

 

Recharge your pre-paid service with our My Telstra app:

  1. Login to the My Telstra app using your Telstra ID
  2. Open the Service tab and choose your pre-paid service 
  3. Select Recharge now and follow the prompts.

You can quickly recharge, track your data usage and change your plan in the My Telstra app. You can also recharge in My Telstra, and manage your pre-paid services online. Don’t forget, you’ll need your Telstra ID and password to sign in.

For instructions on how to recharge with any of these methods, visit our Pre-Paid Recharge page.

You can recharge online using your credit or debit card. Recharge with your credit card in a few simple steps:

  1. Go to recharge.telstra.com.au and enter your pre-paid mobile number
  2. Choose your recharge amount
  3. Select Credit/Debit Card option during payment

You can also recharge using a credit or debit card in the My Telstra app or My Telstra on your browser. If you choose to set up an auto recharge, you can save your card details, so your service recharges automatically. 

Yes, you can recharge your pre-paid service using PayPal.

Recharge using PayPal in a few simple steps:

  1. Go to recharge.telstra.com.au and enter your pre-paid mobile number
  2. Choose a recharge amount
  3. Select PayPal when you make your payment
  4. Sign in to your account and follow the prompts to securely make your payment.

You can recharge your pre-paid service or add an Extra if you’re running low on data, calls, texts or international calling minutes. Go to recharge.telstra.com.au and enter your pre-paid service number. Choose an Extra from the Extras tab and securely make your payment. You can also purchase Extras from the My Telstra app.

If you purchased a recharge card or a recharge voucher in store, you can redeem it online in a few simple steps:

  1. Enter your mobile number
  2. Click Next and select Yes when asked if you have a voucher
  3. Enter your 12-digit voucher PIN and follow the prompts to complete your recharge.

You can set up an auto recharge for your pre-paid service in a few simple steps: 

  1. Sign in to the My Telstra app using your Telstra ID or register for one
  2. Select the pre-paid service you wish to set up auto recharge for
  3. Scroll down until you see More with your mobile – within that you can see your auto recharge status (off or on)
  4. Select an amount to set up your auto recharge
  5. Select a saved payment method or add a new one

You can also set up auto recharge while recharging at recharge.telstra.com.au. You must have a Telstra ID in order to set up auto recharge. 

A digital voucher is available for $13, $39, $49, $59, $69, $180 and $350 online recharges.

  1. Go to Pre-Paid recharges
  2. Choose the recharge value you wish to purchase - $13, $39, $49, $59, $69, $180 or $350
  3. Select Email me a digital voucher
  4. If the amount you’ve ordered is correct, tap Next to continue
  5. Enter your details, including your email address
  6. Tap Next, Review and Submit
  7. To continue, review and agree to the Critical Information Summary, Customer Terms and Privacy Statement
  8. Enter your payment details and select Place order securely
  9. You can print your order details
  10. Your order confirmation and recharge voucher PIN will be sent to you via email
  11. Use your pre-paid voucher PIN to recharge your phone online before it expires. Go to recharge.telstra.com.au and follow the prompts.

Yes. All Telstra Plus members can earn points to redeem towards recharge vouchers.

Sign in to your Telstra Plus account and redeem points towards a voucher. If you’re not a member you can join Telstra Plus using your Telstra ID and start earning points. 

The inclusions under each recharge amount depend on the Pre-Paid plan you’re on. Check what’s included for your plan’s recharges.