Pre-Paid Plans and Pre-Paid SIM Cards

Australia’s most egg-cellent Pre-Paid mobile network

Reaching 99.7% of the population, we’ve got coverage that will leave you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
An animated graphic of two Telstra Pre-Paid SIM Kit cards. One in the background reads "Was $49" and one in the foreground reads "Now $17". The SIM Kit cards are surrounded by cartoon Easter eggs and a rabbit peeking over one of the cards.

Pre-Paid Mobile Plans

For most of our plans, you can choose between an eSIM or a physical SIM card. Learn more.

Not sure what you want? Enjoy flexibility with the $2 SIM Kit.

$2 SIM Kit

Buy our $2 Pre-Paid SIM Kit and choose from a wider range of plans and recharge amounts when you activate. Select what suits you.

  • Includes a 3-in-1 SIM card with standard, micro and nano sizes

  • Choose between a Pre-Paid Mobile or Pre-Paid Mobile Casual plan when you activate

  • Select one of six different recharge amount options

  • Keep your old number when you switch to Telstra, or get a new one.

Buy now

Why choose Telstra?

Australia’s largest mobile network

With coverage reaching 99.7% of the population, we’re the widest-reaching mobile network in Australia. 

Find out what coverage is available to you and how to maximise your signal.

See our coverage map

Industry-leading security

With a cyber security team monitoring our network 24/7, we take protecting our network from suspicious activity seriously. 

Unlock more with Telstra Plus

Make the most of Pre-Paid with Telstra Plus. Earn points on eligible recharges to redeem on movie voucher deals, devices and more. 

Eligibility criteria apply to join Telstra Plus. 

Learn about Telstra Plus

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Frequently asked questions

We offer two types of Pre-Paid plans, each with a range of SIM Starter Kits to choose from. The best plan for you will depend on how much you use your mobile phone.

Our Pre-Paid Mobile plan is great value for everyday use. It has included data, continuous data rollover on selected recharges, and unlimited calls and texts in Australia to standard Australian numbers with each recharge.

Our Pre-Paid Mobile Casual plan is a good option if you don’t use your phone all that often. It has a longer expiry, which means you can go for longer periods without needing to recharge.

Not sure what’s right for you yet? You can buy our $2 SIM Kit, which allows you the option to choose your recharge amount upon activation.

Yes, you can transfer your number from another service provider to Telstra on a new Pre-Paid service. To do so, you will need to keep the SIM from your current provider in your phone until your service is disconnected.  

  1.  On your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer, go to activate your service
  2. Follow the prompts to activate a Pre-Paid service 
  3. On the Your SIM details page, select Keep existing number.

Important:

Make sure the details you provide exactly match the details held by your current provider, such as the spelling of your name and date of birth. It can take up to one business day for your number to transfer to Telstra. You can keep using your current service while you're waiting.

Yes, you can set up auto recharge so you don’t have to worry about running out of calls, texts and data. You’ll also continue receiving low credit and expiry SMS notifications from us.

You must have a Telstra ID in order to set up auto-recharge.

Set up auto recharge in the My Telstra app

  1. Download or open the My Telstra app
  2. Tap on the Services tab and select your Pre-Paid service 
  3. Scroll down and select Auto recharge, then follow the prompts.

Set up auto recharge with My Telstra in a browser

  1. Sign in to My Telstra using your Telstra ID
  2. On the homepage, find your Pre-Paid service in the Account overview section, and select Manage Pre-Paid
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the page, select Auto recharge and follow the prompts.

Keep in touch with family and friends overseas. A Telstra Pre-Paid Mobile plan gives you capped standard international call minutes to selected destinations, plus 100 texts to any country. 

Countries are categorised into different zones, and included call minutes depend on your recharge amount and which zone you are calling to. For a detailed breakdown, see our International call rates for Pre-Paid mobile page.

The easiest way to recharge is through the My Telstra app.

  1. Sign in to the My Telstra app using your Telstra ID
  2. Open the Services tab and select your Pre-Paid service
  3. Select Recharge Now and follow the prompts.

You can also recharge online with My Telstra.

  1. Go to recharge.telstra.com.au and enter your Pre-Paid mobile number
  2. Choose your recharge amount
  3. Securely make your payment.

You can also choose to recharge your service now or have a digital recharge voucher emailed to you for later use (available for selected recharges only).

A digital recharge voucher gives you the flexibility to pay for your recharge at a time that suits you, allowing you to save it for when you need it. You can also buy a voucher as a gift for someone else.

Recharge vouchers vs. digital recharge vouchers

A recharge voucher is a physical voucher that you buy in-store. A digital recharge voucher is one that you buy online and is emailed to you for easy access, anytime.

Most major smartphones from 2012 onwards use a nano SIM card. If you have an older phone or one that uses a different SIM card, visit your local Telstra store or dealer and request a SIM replacement.

A SIM replacement is free and can usually be organised in just a few minutes. Just make sure you bring some ID with you so the store can confirm you're the owner of the service.

Our network

The Telstra Mobile Network offers 4GX in all major and regional cities and in over 1,600 towns and communities around Australia. In other coverage areas around Australia, you’ll automatically switch to our fastest available 4G. Check our mobile coverage page.

Telstra 5G now reaches 85% of Australians. Compatible device required. Roll over unused data when you recharge $13-$69 before expiry. Unlimited calls and text exclude satellite and premium numbers (e.g. 19xx numbers), operator assisted calls (e.g. most 12xx numbers) and diverted calls. Our FairPlay policy (PDF 227 KB) applies.

Our speeds

Speeds vary for reasons like location, distance from base stations, terrain, user numbers, hardware/software configuration, download source and upload destination.

Download speeds are capped on our 4G and 5G network on some plans. Your capped download speed is the maximum potential download speed for data included in your recharge. Factors impacting typical speed include location, distance from the base station, local conditions, concurrent users, hardware and software configuration and download/upload destination.

Telstra Pre-Paid mobile device

An unlocking fee may apply for use with a non-Telstra SIM card. Check our unlocking information page. Limit 1 per customer and no trade sales. Blue Tick lets you know which phones are recommended for handheld coverage in rural areas.

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Got more questions about Pre-Paid? We’re here to help

Support

More information about Pre-Paid mobile phones can be found in our frequently asked questions.

Go to Support