At a glance
- 1PelesimMost visitors who stay around the cities and the coast$1210 GB, 30 days
- 2NomadRoad trips and regional travel where Telstra coverage matters$1510 GB, 30 days
- 3UbigiTravellers who buy well before the trip$1610 GB, 30 days
- 4AiraloPeople who want round-the-clock chat support$1810 GB, 30 days
- 5HolaflyHeavy users who never want to count gigabytesUnlimited only
How we picked
We compared the plan most visitors to Australia buy, 10 GB for 30 days, plus 5 GB for lighter users and each provider’s unlimited option, networks, hotspot rules, refunds and support. Prices were read from each provider’s own Australia page on November 5, 2026. Pelesim prices are shown before VAT; other prices are as each site displayed them, and local taxes may apply.
Coverage outside the cities
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the main coastal routes have strong signal on Optus and Telstra. Once you head inland or along remote stretches of highway, Telstra reaches further.
Which plan for your trip
- A short trip to Sydney or Melbourne: Pelesim 5 GB on Optus for $7.10.
- The cities and the coast for up to a month: Pelesim 10 GB on Optus for $12.
- Driving the outback or long regional routes: a plan with Telstra, from Nomad at $15 for 10 GB or Pelesim at $19.
- Heavy use or a long stay: Pelesim 20 GB on Optus for $18.
Australia and more on the same trip?
A country plan is the cheaper choice when Australia is the whole trip. If you are adding New Zealand or a stop in Asia, our best eSIMs for international travel list compares plans that cover several countries.
No. 1, our pick
Pelesim
Best for most visitors who stay around the cities and the coast
The lowest price of the five at 5, 10 and 20 GB on Optus 5G, plus an unlimited week for $12.
What we like
- 10 GB for 30 days for $12
- 5 GB for $7.10 and 20 GB for $18, both for 30 days
- Unlimited day passes, 7 days for $12 (1 GB a day, then 1 Mbps)
- Refund within 30 days if the eSIM is not activated
Keep in mind
- The lowest prices are Optus only; with Telstra added, 10 GB is $19
- Data only, no phone number
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $12
- 5 GB / 30 days
- $7.10
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $12
- Hotspot
- Allowed
- Phone number
- No
- Networks
- Optus, or Telstra and Optus
No. 2
Nomad
Best for road trips and regional travel where Telstra coverage matters
Telstra and Optus on one plan for $15 for 10 GB, the best pick here if your trip goes well beyond the cities.
What we like
- Uses Telstra and Optus
- Hotspot and tethering supported
- 50 GB for 30 days for $32
Keep in mind
- 5 GB is $10, against Pelesim's $7.10
- Must be activated within 60 days of purchase
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $15
- 5 GB / 30 days
- $10
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $25
- Hotspot
- Allowed
- Phone number
- Some plans
- Networks
- Telstra, Optus
No. 3
Ubigi
Best for travellers who buy well before the trip
A carrier-backed plan on Optus that starts on arrival and keeps for six months, at $16 for 10 GB.
What we like
- Starts when it activates on arrival in Australia, with 6 months to do so
- Top up in the app, even with no data left
- Unlimited from $22 for 7 days
Keep in mind
- One network, Optus
- No 5 GB plan, only 3 GB for 15 days ($8) or 10 GB
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $16
- 5 GB / 30 days
- No plan
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $22
- Hotspot
- Data sharing allowed
- Networks
- Optus
No. 4
Airalo
Best for people who want round-the-clock chat support
The biggest name in eSIMs, with 24/7 support on WhatsApp, on Optus at $18 for 10 GB.
What we like
- 24/7 multi-language support, including WhatsApp
- 5 GB for 30 days for $11
Keep in mind
- 10 GB for 30 days is $18, half as much again as Pelesim
- Its Australia page does not state the unlimited plans' fair-use terms
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $18
- 5 GB / 30 days
- $11
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $26.50
- Hotspot
- Not stated
- Networks
- Optus
No. 5
Holafly
Best for heavy users who never want to count gigabytes
Unlimited-only passes on Optus for heavy streamers, at more than twice Pelesim's unlimited price, with hotspot capped at 1 GB a day.
What we like
- Every plan is unlimited, under a fair-use policy
- Refunds can be requested for up to 6 months
Keep in mind
- 7 days is $27.50, 30 days is $76.50
- Hotspot capped at 1 GB a day
- 10 GB / 30 days
- No fixed plans
- 5 GB / 30 days
- No fixed plans
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $27.50
- Hotspot
- 1 GB a day
- Phone number
- No
- Networks
- Optus
Compare all five
| Our pickPelesim | No. 2Nomad | No. 3Ubigi | No. 4Airalo | No. 5Holafly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 GB / 30 days | $12 | $15 | $16 | $18 | No fixed plans |
| 5 GB / 30 days | $7.10 | $10 | No plan | $11 | No fixed plans |
| Unlimited | 7 days for $12 | 7 days for $25 | 7 days for $22 | 7 days for $26.50 | 7 days for $27.50 |
| Hotspot | Allowed | Allowed | Data sharing allowed | Not stated | 1 GB a day |
| Phone number | No | Some plans | Not listed | Not listed | No |
| Networks | Optus, or Telstra and Optus | Telstra, Optus | Optus | Optus | Optus |
Common questions
How much does an eSIM for Australia cost?
In prices checked on 5 November 2026, 10 GB for 30 days in Australia cost $12 with Pelesim (before VAT), $15 with Nomad, $16 with Ubigi and $18 with Airalo. For 5 GB, Pelesim is $7.10, Nomad $10 and Airalo $11. Holafly sells unlimited plans only, at $27.50 for 7 days and $76.50 for 30 days.
Is there an unlimited data eSIM for Australia?
Yes. Pelesim sells a 7-day pass for Australia for $12, with 1 GB a day at full speed and then 1 Mbps, and a 5G pass with 3 GB a day for $19, checked 5 November 2026 and shown before VAT. Ubigi lists 7 days of unlimited data for $22, Nomad $25, Airalo $26.50 and Holafly $27.50. Each runs under its own daily limit or fair-use policy.
How much data do I need in Australia?
Maps, transport apps and messaging use less than people expect, and 5 GB covers a typical week. Choose 10 GB or more if you will stream, share a hotspot with a laptop, drive long distances on maps or stay two weeks or longer.
Telstra or Optus: which network do I need?
Both cover the cities and the main tourist coast well. Telstra reaches further into regional and outback areas. In this ranking Nomad uses Telstra and Optus, Pelesim sells Optus plans and pricier Telstra and Optus plans, and Ubigi, Airalo and Holafly use Optus.
Can I install an Australia eSIM before I fly?
Yes. Install the eSIM at home while you are online, then switch it on and enable data roaming for that line when you land. Ubigi's plan starts when it activates on arrival, and Nomad's when your phone joins an Australian network. Check first that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier unlocked. Keep your home SIM active for calls and SMS, since most of these plans are data only.
