Where to buy an Australian SIM card, and how much does it cost? A complete guide to purchasing a travel SIM for Australia from A to Z

Why should you buy a travel SIM card for Australia?

Some older travelers often hesitate and wonder if they really need to buy an Australian SIM card when starting their trip. However, if you're asking, 'Should I buy an Australian SIM card?' the answer is definitely YES.

Here are some reasons why you should absolutely get a travel SIM card when joining a tour or traveling independently in Australia:

• Stay connected: An Australian SIM card allows you to keep in touch with family and friends back home throughout your trip. Additionally, while traveling in Australia, it’s convenient for contacting tour members or your guide if you’re on a group tour.
• Internet access: Using mobile data in Australia makes it easy to stay updated with travel information from your guide, search for details about destinations in your itinerary, and more.
• Easily use navigation and taxi apps: If you’re traveling independently in Australia, navigation apps or booking taxis are essential. An Australian SIM card will be your indispensable companion during your journey.

Especially when you’re on a guided tour in Australia, exploring a new region, having a travel SIM card is crucial for staying in touch with your guide or tour group whenever you need assistance. If you accidentally get separated from the group or face language barriers, it can be challenging to handle the situation without a reliable means of communication.

Reasons why you should buy an Australian SIM card for your trip

What types of Australian SIM cards are available?

Categorized by network provider

Currently, Australia has three popular network providers widely used due to their extensive coverage: Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. You can find detailed information about their 4G SIM cards in the table below:

Each network provider offers suitable plans depending on your usage needs. A helpful tip is to prioritize plans with ample mobile data. When traveling abroad, you’ll likely rely more on internet access than traditional calls or text messages.

Categorized by type

In terms of type, similar to SIM cards in Vietnam, Australian SIMs are divided into two main categories: Physical SIM cards and eSIMs.

Physical SIM cards are traditional SIMs that travelers can easily purchase at airports or convenience stores in Australia. Their advantages include affordability and compatibility with most unlocked devices. However, a minor drawback is the need to handle them carefully to avoid loss, and you’ll need a SIM ejector tool for installation and removal.

eSIMs, on the other hand, are activated using a QR code. This allows you to make calls, send messages, and use data immediately without the hassle of physically inserting or removing a SIM card. Additionally, you won’t need to worry about losing the SIM. However, eSIMs are compatible with fewer devices compared to physical SIMs. For example, iPhones must be XS or newer, and Samsung devices must be Galaxy 20 or later. Therefore, it’s essential to check your device’s compatibility before choosing between a physical SIM or an eSIM.

Australian SIM cards are divided into two types: physical SIMs and eSIMs

How much does an Australian SIM card cost?

The price of an Australian travel SIM card varies depending on the duration of use and the network provider you choose. Currently, the lowest price for an Australian SIM is around 249,000 VND. Details are as follows:

Where should you buy an Australian SIM card, in Vietnam or in Australia?

When planning your trip to Australia, you can choose to purchase a SIM card either in Australia or in Vietnam. Each option has its own pros and cons, which you can explore further below:

Where to buy an Australian SIM card in Vietnam

If you decide to buy an Australian travel SIM in Vietnam, you can check out local SIM card shops. Most major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang have stores catering to travelers.

Based on travel tips for Australia, you can also purchase a 4G Australian SIM card directly from e-commerce platforms. No complicated procedures are required—just provide your personal details, including your address and phone number, to have the SIM delivered to your doorstep.

Buying an Australian SIM card in Australia

In Australia, you can consider the following places to purchase a SIM card:

• At the airport: International airports like Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), and Canberra (CBR) have counters operated by major network providers.
• In the city: If you prefer to buy a SIM after entering the city, you can visit convenience stores, supermarkets, or gas stations. Popular options include Australia Post, Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and 7-Eleven.

In Australia, you can visit network provider counters at the airport

Guide to installing and using an Australian SIM card

After purchasing an Australian travel SIM, you’ll need to insert it into your mobile device. If your phone has dual SIM slots, insert the Australian SIM into SIM slot 1.

Once the SIM is installed, you’ll need to enable data roaming to access the network in Australia. Follow these steps:

• For iOS devices: Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Turn on Data Roaming.
• For Android devices: Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Enable Data Roaming.

Once data roaming is enabled, your SIM card will be fully operational. The dialing format for using an Australian SIM card is as follows:

• For domestic calls within Australia: Dial +61 followed by the phone number, omitting the initial 0 (Charges: $1/minute).
• For international calls: Replace the initial 0 with a '+' followed by the country code. For example, Vietnam's country code is +84.

Guide to inserting an Australian SIM card into your mobile device

Some useful tips for purchasing an Australian SIM card

To make purchasing an Australian SIM card more convenient and cost-effective, keep the following useful tips in mind:

• Based on the experience of frequent travelers to Australia, it’s recommended to opt for a 4G SIM instead of a voice-only SIM to save money when contacting Vietnam from Australia. You can make calls to Vietnam via the internet to reduce costs.
• Turn off email notifications, social media apps, and automatic app updates to minimize 4G data usage. Prioritize these updates when connected to Wi-Fi.
• Download offline Google Maps to your phone for use when needed.
• A high-data 4G Australian SIM can be inserted into a portable Wi-Fi device, allowing 2-3 people to share the connection, significantly reducing costs.

Some useful tips for using an Australian mobile SIM

Frequently asked questions when buying an Australian travel SIM

Where can I use an Australian SIM card?

You can use an Australian SIM card in major cities and most rural areas across Australia. However, in some remote or sparsely populated regions, phone signal may be limited.

How long is an Australian SIM card valid for?

The validity period of an Australian SIM card depends on the plan you choose, typically ranging from a few days to several months. Make sure to check the details and duration of the plan before purchasing.

Can an eSIM be used for calls or SMS like a physical SIM card?

An eSIM functions similarly to a traditional physical SIM card, so whether it supports SMS or calls depends on the plan you purchase. However, even without a SIM card, you can still send messages or make calls using internet-based apps like Zalo, Viber, or Messenger as long as you have an internet connection.

Answers to some frequently asked questions about Australian SIM cards

Can I use a Vietnamese SIM card in Australia?

The answer is YES. You can use a Vietnamese SIM card in Australia by activating international roaming with your network provider. However, roaming charges can be quite high. Below is a reference table for roaming rates from some popular Vietnamese network providers:

While a Vietnamese SIM card can be used for calls, SMS, or 4G connectivity in Australia, the roaming charges are significantly high. If you don’t monitor your usage, these costs can easily exceed the price of purchasing an Australian SIM card.

How many GB should I buy for my trip to Australia?

The amount of data you need for your Australian SIM card depends on your usage habits and the duration of your trip. To better estimate your data needs, consider the following breakdown of 1GB data usage:

With 1GB of data, you can perform one of the following activities:

• Watch standard-definition videos: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Browse Facebook, Zalo, or read news: 17 hours
• Make video calls on Facebook/Zalo: 5-6 hours
• Livestream on Facebook: 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Send messages on apps like Zalo or Messenger: 17 hours

The amount of data you need for your trip to Australia depends on your usage habits.

On average, travelers on a 7-day trip to Australia use between 5GB and 10GB of data. However, if your usage is higher, consider purchasing a larger data plan to avoid disruptions during your trip.

A small note: Australian SIM data plans are typically structured either daily or as a total data allowance. Specifically:

• Daily data plans provide a fixed amount of data each day. For example, you might get 1GB or 2GB per day. Once you use up the daily allowance, you’ll need to wait until the next day to access more data. This type is ideal for those who struggle to monitor their data usage.
• Total data plans allow you to use the data throughout your trip without daily limits. However, once the total data is exhausted, internet access will be cut off. This option suits those who can manage their data usage and want uninterrupted connectivity during their travels in Australia.

An Australian SIM card is an essential item when planning your trip to the land of Kangaroos. Save the useful information above to make informed decisions when choosing a travel SIM for Australia. Don’t forget to contact Mytour Travel today at 1900 2083 to book your Australian tour at the best market price.

Author: Phương Thảo

Image source: Internet