How to get the internet in Australia as foreigner: mobile and fixed options

Australia is an incredible destination for perfecting your English, boosting your career, or experiencing its stunning landscapes. The country offers excellent quality of life and an incomparable cultural environment. But to live a unique international experience in this destination, you’ll need a stable connection. That’s why in this guide we’ll tell you how to get the internet in Australia through the best mobile and fixed options.

Best mobile internet options in Australia

Australia is one of the preferred destinations for different types of travelers, whether for study and exchange opportunities or the multiple tourist attractions it offers.

Whatever your reason for visiting Australia, you’ll surely want to share your experiences without delay and stay in touch with your work, family, and friends. You can only achieve this by accessing the best mobile internet options in Australia, whose features and rates we’ll mention below.

International prepaid eSIM for quality internet

In mobile technology, prepaid eSIMs are one of the most acclaimed innovations. Thanks to them, users can activate mobile data service through a virtual chip that comes integrated in the latest generation phones.

Due to their convenience, ease of installation, and flexibility, there are options with international coverage, such as Holafly eSIMs. With them, users can access unlimited data on 4G and 5G coverage, keeping their WhatsApp number and with the ability to share data with other devices.

This service is available for up to 90 days with rates starting at €5.90 per day.

Monthly plans with Holafly to discover Australia

As we mentioned earlier, eSIMs are great allies for connecting to the internet in Australia when your trips are 90 days or less. But what happens if you need to spend a longer season working or studying in the Land Down Under? You’ll need a convenient payment option that’s easy to activate, like Holafly monthly plans.

These plans are prepaid and are divided into three unique monthly rates depending on the amount of data offered: 10 GB for €39.90, 25 GB for €49.90, and unlimited data for €64.90.

Thanks to the flexibility in their data offering, they’re an ideal option for both people who don’t require a stable connection and those who need to make video calls, use tethering to work remotely, or access streaming platforms and social media.

Local SIM cards in Australia

To acquire this internet option in Australia, you’ll need to buy a physical SIM with local operators in the country. This alternative is very popular among foreigners because it provides an Australian number, which not only gives access to data service but also to call and SMS service.

The operators with the best coverage for internet and mobile phone service in Australia are Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. You can get your SIM at official stores, airports, shopping centers, and other authorized points of sale.

Local eSIMs, a convenient and complete alternative

Local operators in Australia don’t miss out on the benefits of eSIM technology, which means many of their plans include the possibility of activating it.

Telstra, for example, has exclusive 28-day plans for eSIM, from 100 GB to 125 GB, plus unlimited domestic calls and SMS, as well as international calls. The rates for these plans range between €33 and €38. The 7-day plan is also available with virtual SIM.

Optus prepaid plans (including the student plan) and Vodafone Australia allow eSIM activation with great ease.

International roaming with coverage as you cross borders

International roaming is one of the first options that comes to travelers’ minds because it means keeping your local data plan active, as well as text message and call service.

However, it’s very important to consider that roaming, although convenient and comfortable, tends to have higher rates than other internet options in Australia. These rates will depend on your contract with the operator.

In Spain, for example, operators like Orange, Movistar, and Vodafone have rates close to €7.31 MB/day. For calls, prices start at €2.8/min.

Pocket WiFi in Australia

It’s very likely that throughout your trip to Australia you’ll need to share internet simultaneously with other devices, without losing connection quality, even when on the move. To meet this need, services like Pocket WiFi exist.

Through companies like Travel WiFi and My WebSpot, foreigners can rent a portable router that converts the mobile network into a WiFi network with 3G, 4G, and 5G coverage. Generally, rates are daily or weekly.

• Travel WiFi: this provider offers plans from 1 GB to 3 GB per day, between €5.01 and €7.25. It also has a 100% unlimited data plan for €11.90.
• My WebSpot: their plans start at €9.48 per day. For an extra price, you can rent a car charger or international adapter. It offers unlimited internet for up to 5 devices simultaneously.

Some local operators allow installment purchases of a pocket WiFi device, like Vodafone Australia. This router connects up to 10 devices simultaneously.

Mobile satellite internet to move around the country

Mobile or roaming satellite internet is an alternative in progressive expansion, both among locals and foreigners. And although it’s not yet the number one option, it does shine for offering coverage on the move and in remote places where not all mobile networks reach. This internet connection in Australia is made possible by low-orbit satellites that allow high-speed data transmission.

In Australia, the leading company is Starlink. The service is available throughout the territory and is designed for mobile and portable use. Currently there are two standard plans available:

• Unlimited roaming for €108 per month (195 AUD/month)
• 50 GB roaming for €44 per month (80 AUD/month)

You should keep in mind that the previous prices don’t include kit acquisition: the mini kit costs €251, and the standard one €307.

Best fixed internet and fiber options in Australia

We can’t fail to consider fixed internet and fiber options in Australia, perfect for when you make long trips for work, study, or seek to reside in the country.

And although there are many alternatives to access these services, before contracting them, check the requirements demanded for foreigners, such as a copy of your passport, proof of residence and rental, and certificate of an Australian bank account.

Below, we’ll compare the offers from the best local providers in fiber, cable internet, and fixed satellite internet.

Fiber optic in Australia

If you want connection speed, unlimited data, and wide coverage, then you should consider fiber optic in Australia. This is a widely expanded technology in the country, thanks to the government initiative NBN (National Broadband Network).

Among the providers that stand out for offering this service are Vodafone Australia, Optus, and Telstra.

Cable internet: technology vs tradition

Cable internet in Australia has been replaced or absorbed by the NBN, including technologies like hybrid fiber coaxial cable, which combines fiber and cable to create high-speed broadband connections. The Vodafone, Optus, and Telstra plans mentioned in the previous section are available on HFC.

Fixed satellite internet: an expanding option

Just as mobile satellite internet is gaining strength in Australia, the fixed option is not far behind. This type of internet allows a secure and simple connection, with excellent speed and low latency, even in remote or rural areas. This makes it an ideal internet option for digital nomads, students and remote workers or expats.

Currently, you can contract this service through companies like Starlink, NBN Sky Muster, and Telstra.

• Starlink: offers a residential plan with speeds ranging between 150 and 250 Mb/s for €78 per month. You can also contract a lite plan (for personal or low consumption use) for €55.38 monthly. To this rate you must add the cost of the standard kit, that is, €307.
• NBN Sky Muster: unlimited data plans, with fast connections and free installation. It’s focused on rural areas. It has options from 25 Mbps to 100 Mbps starting at €36.33 per month.
• Telstra: their satellite internet offers unlimited data in plans from €69 per month. Their internet is based on Starlink technology, so you’ll need to acquire their kit.

What is the quality of internet service in Australia like?

Although Australia is not among the countries with the fastest internet in the world, in general, connections are of good quality, both regarding mobile internet and broadband internet.

According to Ookla’s SpeedTest, Australia ranks 36th in mobile speed, with download speed of 115.39 Mbps and upload of 10.33 Mbps. Mobile connections in Australia can now be considered ‘broadband,’ which means they have 3G, 4G, and 5G coverage. The operators with the greatest coverage are Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone.

It’s worth mentioning that Optus is the operator that leads in 5G network download performance, with an average of 230 Mbps.

Australia has also promoted mobile internet access through its Mobile Black Spots program. This has allowed the construction of 4G mobile towers in areas with poor coverage, such as national parks and some remote indigenous communities.

Regarding fixed-line broadband, the average download speed is 82.37 Mbps and upload is 18.66 Mbps. Broadband technologies are dominated by the NBN, which has allowed intensive deployment and infrastructure modernization.

According to the Ts2 report, fiber network is the most used in urban and suburban areas, as well as hybrid fiber-coaxial. The NBN offers tiered plans from 25 Mbps up to 250 Mbps or more in some cases.

Finally, satellite internet is gaining the trust of Australians and foreigners, through initiatives like NBN Sky Muster Satellites and Starlink internet. The former offer standard speeds from 25 Mbps to 100 Mbps, but have quite high latency. In contrast, the latter option has speeds up to 470 Mbps and low latency.

Tips for using your devices in Australia

If you want to get the most out of internet in Australia, you’ll need to ensure your devices have the best performance. Here we’ll give you some tips to achieve this:

• Bring the right plug adapter: in Australia you’ll need type I plugs and outlets. Their 230 V network voltage is common in several countries (like Spain), so you probably won’t need a converter. This way, you’ll prevent your devices from overcharging or burning out.
• Use power banks: if you’re going to change locations or be on the move for a considerable period of time, don’t hesitate to have a power bank on hand. This way you’ll ensure your devices stay charged as long as possible and you won’t lose connection.
• Check your phone’s compatibility: if you’re interested in eSIM technology, make sure your phone is compatible with it. Most latest-generation mobile phones are.
• Review roaming conditions in advance: before traveling, review your contract with your operator to know the roaming rates in Australia and make sure it can’t activate automatically, or you could get some surprises.
• Use VPN: you’ll most likely find a wide variety of blocked or geolocation-restricted content, especially for streaming. To access it and connect to the internet privately and securely, we recommend using a good VPN.

Frequently asked questions about the internet in Australia