Prepaid international roaming: Your options compared


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Plenty of prepaid plans now support international roaming, but it's not always a good deal. Many charge pay-as-you-go rates, which can end up costing you over $1,000 for a single gigabyte. In this guide, we'll look at the best prepaid plans and providers to avoid bill shock when travelling overseas. 

felix mobile prepaid international roaming


International roaming on prepaid plans

If you have a felix mobile plan, you can add on its $20 roaming pack. This will get you 4GB of data, 100 texts, and 100 minutes of talk with a one-year expiry.

The downside is that felix's international roaming isn't as widely available as other providers, with just over 40 countries on its roaming list. It includes popular destinations, like the USA, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, India and China. felix is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) powered by the Vodafone network.

Here are felix mobile's prepaid plans: 

#1
felix mobile
felix mobile

felix 25GB Mobile Plan

  • 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $12.50/mth for first 3 mths, then $25/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T&Cs apply
$25
Per 1 Month Renewal
#2
felix mobile
felix mobile

felix 50GB Mobile Plan

  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T&Cs apply
$30
Per 1 Month Renewal
#3
felix mobile
felix mobile

felix Unlimited Mobile Plan

  • Unlimited data at download speeds up to 20Mbps
  • Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $20/mth for first 3 mths, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T&Cs apply
$40
Per 1 Month Renewal

Optus prepaid international roaming


If you're an Optus prepaid customer, roaming options include:

Pack Price InclusionsExpiry
International Roaming for Optus Flex customers $5 100 mins, 100 texts, 1GB 1 day
Travel Credit $10 Credit can be used for data, SMS, and calls14 days
Data-Only Roaming Add-on $20 0 mins, 0 texts, 10GB 14 days
International Roaming for Optus Flex customers $35 700 mins, 700 texts, 7GB 7 days

Customers on new Optus Flex prepaid plans can either pay $5 for a one-day pack with 1GB, 100 min, and 100 text messages, or buy seven days upfront with the $35 add-on. These packs work in what Optus calls Zone 1 countries. This covers most of Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America. 

If you're not on an Optus Flex prepaid plan, you'll need to buy the $20 add-on with 10GB of data. This has a 14-day expiry, but is limited to a much smaller range in of destinations. These are Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, the UK, and the US.

The other Optus prepaid roaming option for older customers is a $10 Travel Credit with a 14-day expiry. You can use this credit to make calls, send texts (MMS is excluded) or browse the internet internationally with the below pay-as-you-go rates:

  • Zone 1 countries: $0.50 per minute for voice calls, $0.20 per SMS, and $0.02 per MB of data
  • Zone 2 countries: $1.00 per minute for voice calls, $0.20 per SMS, and $0.15 per MB of data

Otherwise, you're looking at these far more expensive pay-as-you-go rates:

China India New Zealand United Kingdom United States
Cost to call Australia per minute $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Cost to receive calls per minute $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Cost to send a text message to Australia $0.50 $0.50 $0.50 $0.50 $0.50
Cost of data $0.50 per MB $0.50 per MB $0.50 per MB $0.50 per MB $0.50 per MB

Here are Optus' prepaid plans:

#1
Optus
Optus

Optus Prepaid $12 SIM

  • 5GB Speed capped at 150Mbps
  • Deal: 5GB data on first 3 recharges, 3GB standard data thereafter. New services only. Speed caps apply. T&Cs apply
$12
Per 7 Day Renewal
#2
Optus
Optus

Optus Prepaid $35 SIM

  • 40GB Speed capped at 150Mbps
  • Deal: 40GB on first 3 recharges before 28/04/25 for new services only. Note plan changes from 28/4/2025. Fair Go Policy and T&Cs apply.
$35
Per 28 Day Renewal
#3
Optus
Optus

Optus Prepaid $45 SIM

  • 60GB Speed capped at 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get unlimited data, every weekend when you stay connected with AutoRecharge. Fair Go Policy and T&Cs apply.
$45
Per 28 Day Renewal
#4
Optus
Optus

Optus Prepaid $55 SIM

  • 80GB Speed capped at 250Mbps
  • Deal: Get unlimited data, every weekend when you stay connected with AutoRecharge. Fair Go Policy and T&Cs apply.
$55
Per 28 Day Renewal
#5
Optus
Optus

Optus Prepaid $160 SIM

  • 130GB Speed capped at 150Mbps
  • Deal: 130GB on first 3 recharges within 3 years, then 80GB. New services only. Speed caps apply. T&Cs apply.
$160
Per 186 Day Renewal
#6
Optus
Optus

Optus Prepaid $320 SIM

  • 280GB Speed capped at 150Mbps
  • Deal: $230 for 1st recharge, then reverts to standard in-market price. Ends 27.04.25. T&Cs apply.
$230
Per 365 Day Renewal

Kogan Mobile prepaid international roaming


Kogan Mobile offers three international roaming packs with varying data, texts and minutes of calls and expiry periods. Here's a breakdown of their inclusions:

Pack PriceInclusions Expiry
1 Day Roaming $10 50 mins, 50 texts, 1GB 1 day
3 Day Roaming $25 100 mins, 100 texts, 2GB 3 days
7 Day Roaming $45 150 mins, 150 texts, 5GB 7 days

While these only work in 30 countries, this selective list includes some popular destinations, including New Zealand, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK, the USA and Singapore.

You can purchase the international roaming pack via the Kogan Mobile app, use your online account, call customer support or text "ROAM1,3,7" to 12612 from your mobile. Multiple roaming packs can be activated simultaneously to combine their inclusions.

This isn't the most affordable or value-for-money option so we'd advise getting a local SIM at your destination instead for most trips.

Here are Kogan Mobile's prepaid plans:

#1
Kogan Mobile
Kogan Mobile

Small Monthly Plan

  • 15GB data
$20
Per 1 Month Renewal
#2
Kogan Mobile
Kogan Mobile

Medium Monthly Plan

  • 40GB data
  • Deal: Get 50GB for $10 for first month (includes $15 off + 10GB bonus data), then 40GB for $25 thereafter, valid until 27.04.25
$25
Per 1 Month Renewal
#3
Kogan Mobile
Kogan Mobile

Large Monthly Plan

  • 80GB data
  • Deal: $25 for first 3 months on Large Monthly Plan, then $40/mth thereafter valid until 25.05.25
$40
Per 1 Month Renewal
#4
Kogan Mobile
Kogan Mobile

Small - 365 Day Flex Plan

  • 140GB data
  • Deal: Get 140GB data for only $150 on the Small 365 Day Flex Plan. Offer ends 30.11.25
$150
Per 365 Day Renewal
#5
Kogan Mobile
Kogan Mobile

Large - 365 Day Flex Plan

  • 300GB data
  • Deal: Get 300GB data for only $169 on the Large 365 Day Flex Plan. Offer ends 11.05.25
$169
Per 365 Day Renewal

amaysim prepaid international roaming


amaysim's roaming add-on packs range from $20 to $70 with a 365-day expiry. Each pack differs in the amount of data, calls and texts but can be layered to achieve the perfect plan. We've broken down each plan's inclusions below:

Pack Price Inclusions
Small Talk $20 100 mins, 100 texts, no data
The Works $25 50 mins, 30 texts, 2GB
Just Gigs $50 No mins, no texts, 6GB
The Epic $70 100 mins, 60 texts, 9GB

amaysim is powered by the Optus network and supports international roaming in over 90 overseas locations, including New Zealand, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK and the USA.

Here are amaysim's prepaid plans:

#1
amaysim
amaysim

UNLIMITED 10GB Plan

  • 10GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
$22
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#2
amaysim
amaysim

UNLIMITED 32GB Plan

  • 32GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
  • Deal: Save $20 & get 18GB bonus data for first renewal when you sign up by 30.04.25. Online only. T&Cs apply
$30
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#3
amaysim
amaysim

UNLIMITED 80GB Plan

  • 80GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
  • Deal: Save $25 for first renewal when you sign up by 30.04.25
$40
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#4
amaysim
amaysim

UNLIMITED 120GB Plan

  • 120GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$50
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied

Vodafone prepaid international roaming


Vodafone's standard pay-as-you-go rates are taken from your prepaid plan's credit balance. Vodafone customers will pay $1.00 per minute to make and receive calls, $0.75 for text messages, and $1.00 per MB of data use.

Customers should instead buy a Prepaid Roaming Add-on for their plan. Here's how its three international roaming add-ons compare:

Price Inclusions Expiry
$5 25 mins, 30 texts, 200MB 1 day
$15 90 mins, 120 texts, 750MB3 days
$35 200 mins, 300 texts, 2GB 7 days

Here are Vodafone's pay-as-you-go rates:


China India New Zealand United Kingdom United States
Cost to call Australia per minute $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Cost to send a text message to Australia $0.75 $0.75 $0.75 $0.75 $0.75
Cost of data $1.00 per MB $1.00 per MB $1.00 per MB $1.00 per MB $1.00 per MB

Here are Vodafone's prepaid plans:

#1
Vodafone
Vodafone

$35 Prepaid Plus Recharge

  • 25GB data
  • Deal: Get $5 off every Automatic Recharge when you opt-in to Automatic Recharge
$35
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#2
Vodafone
Vodafone

$45 Prepaid Plus Recharge

  • 35GB data
  • Deal: Get $5 off every Automatic Recharge when you opt-in to Automatic Recharge
$45
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#3
Vodafone
Vodafone

$55 Prepaid Plus Recharge

  • 50GB data
  • Deal: Get $5 off every Automatic Recharge when you opt-in to Automatic Recharge
$55
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#4
Vodafone
Vodafone

$160 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack

  • 140GB data
  • Deal: $160 SIM for $119 + 50GB bonus data on activation + Extra 30GB on every Automatic Recharge
$119
Per 185 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#5
Vodafone
Vodafone

$320 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack

  • 320GB data
  • Deal: $320 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack discounted to $199 + Incl. 100GB bonus data for 3 recharges + Extra 100GB on every Auto Recharge
$199
Per 365 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#6
Vodafone
Vodafone

$250 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack

  • 220GB data
  • Deal: Includes 70GB bonus data on activation + Extra 50GB on every Automatic Recharge
$250
Per 365 Day Renewal
Link not supplied

Telstra prepaid international roaming


If you're a Telstra prepaid customer, you can buy one of these packs when you head overseas. 

Price InclusionsExpiry
$10 15 mins, 15 texts, 400MB3 days
$15 25 mins, 25 texts, 2GB7 days
$25 50 mins, 50 texts, 4GB 14 days

These packs all work in 35 countries. Telstra's prepaid roaming won't work outside of these destinations. If you run out of data in an eligible country, you'll need to buy another pack to keep using your service. 

Note that Telstra prepaid roaming is activated from the day you buy it, so you should wait until you're overseas to purchase a pack.

Telstra no longer offers pay-as-you-go roaming on prepaid plans. 

Here are Telstra's prepaid plans:

#1
Telstra
Telstra

$39 Pre-Paid Mobile

  • 55GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes 40GB bonus data on first 3 recharges.
$39
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#2
Telstra
Telstra

$49 Pre-Paid Mobile

  • 80GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes 55GB bonus data on first 3 recharges.
$49
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#3
Telstra
Telstra

$59 Pre-Paid Mobile

  • 100GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps
  • Deal: Includes 65GB bonus data on first 3 recharges.
$59
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#4
Telstra
Telstra

$69 Pre-Paid Mobile

  • 125GB data
  • Deal: Includes 55GB bonus data on first 3 recharges.
$69
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#5
Telstra
Telstra

$180 Pre-Paid Mobile SIM Starter Kit

  • 150GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes 80GB bonus data on activation or first recharge.
$180
Per 6 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
#6
Telstra
Telstra

$350 Pre-Paid Mobile SIM Starter Kit

  • 310GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes 145GB bonus data on activation or first recharge.
$350
Per 12 Month Renewal
Link not supplied

Everyday Mobile prepaid international roaming


The telco formerly known as Woolworths Mobile, Everyday Mobile, has two international roaming packages for its prepaid plans. It offers a one-day and five-day add-on with the following inclusions:

Price Inclusions Expiry
$7 30 mins, 30 texts, 150MB 1 day
$30 60 mins, 60 texts, 1GB 5 days

Just note that Everyday Mobile's cheaper $7 prepaid roaming add-on only works in 30 countries. The $30 add-on works in 67, however. 

Here are Everyday Mobile's prepaid plans:

#1
Everyday Mobile
Everyday Mobile

Pre-paid Mobile $25 Recharge

  • 22GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
  • Deal: $25 SIM Starter Pack discounted to $12.50 + 10% off your grocery shop once a month
$25
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#2
Everyday Mobile
Everyday Mobile

Pre-paid Mobile $30 Recharge

  • 32GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
  • Deal: $30 SIM Starter Pack discounted to $15 + 10% off your grocery shop once a month
$30
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#3
Everyday Mobile
Everyday Mobile

Pre-paid Mobile $35 Recharge

  • 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: $35 SIM Starter Pack discounted to $17.50 + 10% off your grocery shop once a month
$35
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#4
Everyday Mobile
Everyday Mobile

Pre-paid $130 Long Expiry Recharge

  • 75GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
  • Deal: $130 Starter Pack discounted to $120 + 10% off your grocery shop once a month
$120
Per 180 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#5
Everyday Mobile
Everyday Mobile

Pre-paid $250 Long Expiry Recharge

  • 215GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
  • Deal: $250 SIM Starter Pack discounted to $230 + 10% off your grocery shop once a month
$230
Per 365 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#6
Everyday Mobile
Everyday Mobile

Pre-paid $320 Long Expiry Recharge

  • 280GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: $320 SIM Starter Pack discounted to $280 + 10% off your grocery shop once a month
$280
Per 365 Day Renewal
Link not supplied

Boost Mobile prepaid international roaming


Another small telco covered by the Telstra mobile network with a good international roaming offering is Boost Mobile. Above are the Boost prepaid mobile phone plans compatible with its roaming add-on packs.

Its three roaming packs can also be stacked much like amaysim's to mix and match inclusions. Just note the pack that has the soonest expiry will be used first. These packs can be activated through the My Boost Mobile app.

See a breakdown of Boost's international roaming packs:

Pack Price Inclusions Expiry
Small $20 15 mins, 15 texts, 1GB 3 days
Medium $30 30 mins, 30 texts, 3GB 7 days
Large $40 60 mins, 60 texts, 5GB 14 days

Boost only covers 40 countries for international roaming so you will want to check the available countries before you head overseas.

Here are Boost Mobile's prepaid plans:

#1
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile

$13 Prepaid

  • 7GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 7GB data for the first 3 recharges, then 5GB from 4th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 07.07.25
$13
Per 7 Day Renewal
#2
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile

$26 Prepaid

  • 17GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 17GB data for the first 3 recharges, then 7GB from 4th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 07.07.25
$26
Per 28 Day Renewal
#3
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile

$39 Prepaid

  • 65GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Grab a $39 SIM for $13 – save $26. Hurry! Offer ends 12 May 2025. Terms Apply
$39
Per 28 Day Renewal
#4
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile

$49 Prepaid

  • 95GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 95GB data for first 3 recharges, then 35GB from 4th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 07.07.25
$49
Per 28 Day Renewal
#5
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile

$59 Prepaid

  • 120GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps
  • Deal: Get 120GB data for the first 3 recharges, then 45GB from 4th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 07.07.25
$59
Per 28 Day Renewal

Prepaid providers to avoid when roaming


There are a number of providers that offer roaming on their prepaid plans, but only at pay-as-you-go rates, such as ALDI Mobile and TPG. Pay-as-you-go rates are much more expensive than roaming packs or local SIMs and add up very quickly. Even providers with "cheaper" pay-as-you-go options charge $0.50 per MB, meaning you'll end up paying over $500 a gigabyte.

These are examples of what you can expect from pay-as-you-go rates, but in some cases, they can be even more expensive. Some providers charge $1 per megabyte, making the cost of a single gigabyte over $1,000.

China India New Zealand United Kingdom United States
Cost to call Australia per minute $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Cost to receive calls per minute $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Cost to send a text message to Australia $0.50 $0.50 $0.50 $0.50 $0.50
Cost of data $0.50 per MB $0.50 per MB $0.50 per MB $0.50 per MB $0.50 per MB

Postpaid roaming options


#1
Vodafone
Vodafone

$49 Small SIM Only Plan

  • 100GB data
  • Deal: Get 100GB for $39 (incl. 50GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $49 Small plan. T&Cs apply.
$39/mth
Min. cost $39
#2
Optus
Optus

$55 Optus Choice Plus Plan

  • 50GB data
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
#3
Telstra
Telstra

$65 Basic Upfront SIM Plan

  • 50GB data
  • Deal: Get your first 3 months device protect on Telstra, then $10/mth.
$65/mth
Min. cost $65
Link not supplied

Postpaid roaming still isn't cheap, but it can be more affordable than prepaid roaming. Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone are your main choices.

On Telstra Upfront plans, you'll pay $10 per day while overseas for a 1GB daily allowance. If you need extra you can pay $10 for a further 1GB with a 31-day expiry. This can be used in over 70 destinations, including Canada, China, India, the UK and the US. If you want to use Telstra's International Day Pass in New Zealand, you only have to pay $5 per day for 1GB of data. 

On Optus' current postpaid plans, you're looking at $5 per day for 5GB of data with its International Roaming add-on. You also get unlimited calls and texts for use in over 100 Zone 1 destinations, including the USA, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, and India. This add-on can be activated via the My Optus app.

On Vodafone's $5 per day roaming, postpaid customers can use local inclusions overseas in over 100 countries. The $5 per day charge will only be added to your bill on days when you make a call, send a text, or use data overseas and you can use $5 roaming for up to 90 days of the calendar year.

Australia's best phone plans with international roaming
Man on phone at airport

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