Are you planning your trip to Australia and thinking about staying connected with an eSIM card? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know about using an eSIM card when traveling to Australia including a comparison of the best Australia eSIM cards for 2024.
Don't waste money on high roaming charges, read my recommendations below and order an eSIM card for Australia on the internet and get connected in just a couple minutes. Below you will find up to date prices as per August 2024, including all specifications per tourist eSIM card.
This guide will explain how eSIM cards work, show you where and when to order an eSIM card for Australia, answer all your FAQ about eSIM cards, more about the network coverage and 4G/5G data speed, talk about the difference between eSIM cards for tourists and local prepaid sim cards in Australia and of course links to directly order your eSIM card for traveling to Australia online.
Since 2012 I am already traveling the world full time and throughout the years I turned my passion for traveling into a lifestyle and became a full time nomadic travel blogger. That is why I constantly get to a different country and pretty much every week I need to look for a new sim card to stay connected.
In 2022 I visited 62 different countries and in 2023 I visited 34 countries so imagine how many different prepaid and eSIM cards I used in the last two years.
In the past I used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, but nowadays I mostly use eSIM cards to stay connected when traveling abroad. On my latest trips to Australia I tested the below recommended Australia eSIM cards for tourists.
Helping other travelers to save money while traveling the world is one of the reasons I started this travel blog. Providing essential travel tips is what made me start writing sim card guides from every country I visited and now on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world.
Of course Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for Australia in 2024 as well as a guide for buying a tourist sim card at Sydney Airport, Brisbane Airport and Melbourne Airport.
Recently Traveltomtom also started writing specific and in-depth guides for buying eSIM cards: New Zealand, USA, Canada, Turkey, Egypt, Dubai, Asia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Europe, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain, international eSIM cards and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM card advice for your holiday destination.
Some links in this article about the best eSIM cards for Australia are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
If you are traveling around Australia it is very important on which mobile data network your eSIM operates. There are 3 different mobile internet providers in Australia: Telstra, Vodafone and Optus. The big difference between these providers is the mobile network coverage.
In my article about best prepaid sim card for Australia in 2024 Traveltomtom compared the mobile data network coverage maps and turns out that Telstra has by far the best coverage around Australia and that Optus and Vodafone are far behind.
Traveltomtom recommends the following two eSIM cards for traveling to Australia in 2024:
1. Jetpac eSIM for Australia - $28 USD
- 20 GB data-only eSIM
- Valid in Australia + 14 other countries in Asia/Pacific
- Valid for 30 days
- Operates on the Telstra 4G/LTE network
- Only $1.4 USD per Gigabyte
2. Three HK eSIM from SimOptions - $34.90 USD
- 20 GB data-only eSIM
- Valid in Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, Canada and Hong Kong
- Valid for 30 days
- 4G/LTE
- Comes with a +852 phone number
- Incoming calls and sms are supported
- $1.75 USD per Gigabyte
The best value tourist eSIM card for Australia is an Australia eSIM cards from Jetpac. And not only for the price, but also because a Jetpac Australia eSIM operates on the Telstra network, which is much stronger than the Optus and Vodafone network.
Therefore my first recommendation for those traveling to Australia is a Jetpac eSIM!
Jetpac has 8 different eSIM card plans for Australia, but the 20 GB plan for $28 USD is the best value with a rate of only $1.4 USD per Gigabyte.
Another great advantage is that the Jetpac eSIMs for Australia are valid in Australia and 14 other countries in Asia/Pacific. In fact this makes Jetpac the best eSIM card for traveling in Asia/Pacific.
A good second best is an eSIM card for Australia via Three Hong Kong. You can order this international eSIM card via SimOptions and it is valid in 6 countries. Traveltomtom has always had very good experiences with eSIM cards from SimOptions.
Both eSIM cards are data-only eSIM cards. On the Jetpac eSIM card incoming and outgoing calls or sms are not supported, but the Three HK eSIM card that you can order via SimOptions comes with a Hong Kong based phone number that starts with +852. It supports incoming calls and sms.
Is Australia one of your stops on a trip around the world then you can also look into getting an eSIM card for world travelers. There are a bunch of eSIM cards that cover multiple countries, some up to 141 countries around the world.
There are 2 very important things to check before ordering an eSIM card for Australia or in general before using an eSIM card.
Unlocked phones only
Make sure your phone is unlocked. eSIM cards for tourists only work in unlocked phones. If you are not sure if your phone is unlocked then contact your mobile internet provider in your home country.
In general phones from Europe, Asia and the Middle East tend to be unlocked. Phones from North America are often locked.
If your smartphone is locked that means it does not allow another prepaid sim card or eSIM card to operate in the device. You can easily unlock your phone, but depending on your mobile internet provider you will be charged a fee for unlocking your phone.
eSIM compatible phones only
Second, and equally important: eSIM cards only work if your smartphone supports eSIM cards, also called eSIM compatible. All newer smartphones support eSIM cards. If you are not sure if your phone is eSIM compatible then simply go to Google and type in your mobile phone model in the search bar and ask if it is eSIM compatible. You will get the answer instantly.
If your phone is NOT eSIM compatible then there is no other solution and you can NOT use an eSIM card for traveling to Australia.
However, you can still order a physical sim card for Australia on the internet before your trip. Check out Traveltomtom's complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for Australia in 2024 or find out everything you need to know about international sim cards for traveling abroad in 2024.
Comparison of the best eSIM cards for Australia
Buying an eSIM card on arrival in Australia is not possible at international airports. As per August 2024 Vodafone, Optus and Telstra only provide physical prepaid sim cards at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane Airport.
However, if you go to an official phone store in the city center of any tourist destination in Australia you can opt for an eSIM card instead of a physical prepaid sim card.
Luckily there are multiple eSIM providers on the internet that sell Australia eSIM cards for tourists, so you don't have to wait until you are in Australia.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM card for traveling in Australia from one of the well-known eSIM card providers that have proven to be reliable operators: Airalo, Jetpac, Holafly, SimOptions, Nomad, Sim Local, etc.
All these providers have been tested and reviewed multiple times by the Traveltomtom Team. SimOptions and Airalo have bene long time favorites, but are they still the best? The competition is fierce...
So before you buy an eSIM card first read all my tips below!
SimOptions is the only eSIM provider that also offers international prepaid sim cards for Australia. These are pre-activated physical prepaid sim cards that will be delivered to your home address before your trip and it is plug and play when you arrive in the Australia.
Airalo, Jetpac, Holafly and Nomad only sell eSIM cards for Australia.
Airalo
Airalo is a very reliable eSIM card provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. I can totally recommend using Airalo for ordering an eSIM card.
Airalo is one of the eSIM market leaders, but has not innovated much over the last years and prices have not much changed for a long time.
Airalo is always one of my top recommendations because of its reliability, but the Airalo eSIM card plans for Australia are more expensive compared to SimOptions, Nomad, Jetpac, etc.
Here are the Airalo data-only eSIM card plans for Australia for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $8 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $9 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $12.5 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $40 USD
Click here to order an eSIM card for Australia from Airalo.
The Airalo eSIM cards for Australia are from Yes! Go! and they operate on the 4G/LTE network of Optus. Unfortunately the Airalo Yes! Go! eSIM cards for Australia are not 5G ready. Side note, there isn't much 5G yet in Australia. Even as of 2024 there is pretty much only 5G in the big cities in Australia.
In most of the amazing places to visit in Australia you will find a 4G/LTE signal tho and the data speed is reasonably good these days.
In some other Australia travel blogs I named Down Under a third world country for WiFi and mobile data, because of its terribly disappointing and slow data speed sometimes.
Optus is not the best mobile data network in Australia, the Telstra is much stronger.
All the Airalo eSIM cards are data-only sim cards without a phone number, so any phone/sms service is NOT supported. An Airalo eSIM card has to be installed within 1 month and after activation the credit validity starts when it connects the first time to a supported network. For more info check out the Airalo website.
Jetpac
Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider that offers eSIMs valid in multiple countries, not just Australia. The Jetpac eSIMs for Australia are also valid in: Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
So Jetpac is a perfect eSIM card for traveling to Asia. Since New Zealand is also included it is also the perfect eSIM for visiting Australia and New Zealand.
Here are the Jetpac Australia eSIM plans:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $11 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $23 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $45 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $65 USD
Click here for more info or to order the Jetpac Australia eSIM card.
The number 1 reason Traveltomtom recommends a Jetpac eSIM for Australia is because the Jetpac eSIMs operate on the Telstra network, which has by far the best mobile data network coverage in Australia. Much better than Optus and Vodafone!
The Jetpac Australia eSIM plan with 20 GB data for just $28 USD makes it also the best value eSIM card for Australia as well as for Southeast Asia with a rate of only $1.4 USD per Gigabyte.
You can instal your Jetpac eSIM card before your trip to Australia, but it only activates from the moment it connects to a supported network in Australia or one of the other supported countries. That moment your days also start counting. The Jetpac eSIMs have to be installed within 1 year.
The Jetpac Australia eSIM cards are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls and sms are not supported. These eSIMs do not come with a phone number and unfortunately the Jetpac Australia eSIMs are not yet 5G ready, but in all listed countries 4G/LTE is supported.
An extra advantage of Jetpac eSIM cards is that they provide a free VPN as well as free lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you will have to register your flight before you travel and in case of a delayed or canceled flight a LoungeKey voucher will automatically be provided. This is a complimentary service that no other eSIM provider offers. For more info check the Jetpac website.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another very reputable eSIM card provider that is very much recommended by Traveltomtom. Ordering your tourist eSIM card for Australia through SimOptions is done fast and easy. Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times for staying connected when traveling abroad. Very reliable, never an issue and often some of the cheapest eSIM card deals.
Why using SimOptions? When it comes to Australia eSIM cards SimOptions has a lot of different plans available. Prices are very similar compared to Airalo.
SimOptions offers two types of eSIM cards for Australia. Their own brand data-only sim cards and an international eSIM cards from Three HK.
Here are the Australia eSIM cards from SimOptions for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 3 GB data for 15 days = $8.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 15 days = $11.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $19.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $39.90 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $59.90 USD
- 50 GB data for 60 days = $85.90 USD
Click here to order an eSIM card for Australia via SimOptions.
All the SimOptions Australia eSIMs are 5G ready, but unfortunately SimOptions does not specify on which network their eSIMs operate. Therefore I would be not my first choice.
These SimOptions eSIMs are data-only and do not come with a phone number. Incoming and outgoing calls/sms are not supported.
SimOptions also offers an international eSIM from Three HK.
The eSIM cards that you order through SimOptions are international eSIM cards that are valid in up to 26 countries.
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
This Three HK eSIM card is valid in: Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, Canada and Hong Kong.
Since it is a Hong Kong based eSIM card the Traveltomtom Team received reports that TikTok was blocked on this eSIM card, because of Hong Kong regulations. You can still access TikTok but apparently you need a VPN.
The advantage of these Three HK eSIM cards are that they come with a Hong Kong phone number that starts with +852. Incoming phone calls and sms are supported.
The validity of these eSIM cards is 1 year and the credit validity starts instantly after installing the eSIM card, even if you are not in Australia. For more info check the SimOptions website.
Nomad
Nomad has actually some of the cheapest Australia eSIM card plans. Prices are very competitive and they offer a lot of different plans. On top of that Nomad has now eSIMs with daily plans as well. These are in fact eSIMs with unlimited data, including a Fair Use Policy (FUP). Traveltomtom is not of a fan of these eSIMs. I will explain below why.
Regular plans
Here are the Nomad eSIM card plans for Australia:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD*
- 2 GB data for 30 days = $5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $19 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $25 USD
- 20 GB data for 45 days = $30 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $80 USD*
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $110 USD*
- 50 GB data for 30 days = $125 USD*
*5G ready
Click here to order an eSIM card for Australia from Nomad.
The Nomad website is a bit less user friendly. There are a lot of plans and you can not see them all in one overview, so you have to scroll a little more to find your preferred plan.
All the Nomad eSIM cards are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls and sms are NOT supported.
The best value eSIM plan from Nomad is the one with 20 GB data for $30 USD what comes down to only $1.5 USD per Gigabyte. Extra advantage of this plan is that it is valid for 45 days.
However, pretty much all the Nomad Australia eSIMs operate on the Optus network. The Optus Network is much smaller than Telstra and therefore for traveling around Australia an eSIM that uses the Optus network is not preferred.
The Nomad eSIM cards are from either JoyTel, Nomad Red and 1GLOBAL, some of them are 5G ready, others have 4G/LTE as max data speed. But as said before there is not much 5G in Australia apart from the big cities.
The Nomad Australia eSIM cards have to be installed on your phone within 60 days and after installation its validity starts when it connects for the first time to a supported network in Australia. Basically when the plane lands. For more info check the Nomad website.
Daily plans
Nomad also has daily plans. These eSIM cards could perfect for those going on a short trip to Australia. You basically get 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB or 3 GB high speed data per 24 hours. Then, after you have used your allowance for the day, the data speed is reduced to 512 Kbps, which is actually useless, basically like an E signal.
Here are the 1 GB per day plans:
- 1 GB data per day for 1 day = $4 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 3 day = $6 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 5 day = $9 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 7 day = $13 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 10 day = $18 USD
Here are the 2 GB per day plans:
- 2 GB data per day for 1 day = $6 USD
- 2 GB data per day for 3 day = $17 USD
- 2 GB data per day for 5 day = $28 USD
- 2 GB data per day for 7 day = $39 USD
- 2 GB data per day for 10 day = $55 USD
Here are the 3 GB per day plans:
- 3 GB data per day for 1 day = $9 USD
- 3 GB data per day for 3 day = $25 USD
- 3 GB data per day for 5 day = $42 USD
- 3 GB data per day for 7 day = $58 USD
- 3 GB data per day for 10 day = $83 USD
At first when I saw the prices for these daily plan eSIMs I was pleasantly surprised. The daily plans with 1 GB data are worth considering, but personally, 1 GB data per day would not be enough for me as I can easily spend more than 1 GB data in just 1 hour bus or train ride.
Watching TikTok videos for about 60 minutes is about 1 GB data, watching Instagram reels for 45 minutes is also already 1 GB data. It depends how many gigabytes you use per day.
Anyway forget about the 2 GB and 3 GB per day plans, these are completely useless. Keep in mind that 2 GB per day for 10 days is 20 GB and you pay $55 USD for that. A Nomad eSIM for Australia on a regular plan with 20 GB data is only $30 USD!
Click here to order this Nomad daily plan eSIM card for Australia from Nomad.
Holafly
Holafly is another well-known eSIM provider but unlike other eSIM providers they only offer eSIMs with unlimited data. However, there is a catch and that is a so-called FUP (Fair Use Policy). More about it later, but it could mean that you suddenly have a very slow data connection for a whole day until the data speed restores.
Here are the Holafly unlimited data eSIM plans for Australia:
- 1 day 'unlimited' data = $6 USD
- 2 days 'unlimited' data = $10 USD
- 3 days 'unlimited' data = $13 USD
- 4 days 'unlimited' data = $16 USD
- 5 days 'unlimited' data = $21 USD
- 6 days 'unlimited' data = $25 USD
- 7 days 'unlimited' data = $29 USD
- 8 days 'unlimited' data = $31 USD
- 9 days 'unlimited' data = $35 USD
- 10 days 'unlimited' data = $37 USD
- 11 days 'unlimited' data = $40 USD
- 14 days 'unlimited' data = $48 USD
- 20 days 'unlimited' data = $64 USD
- 30 days 'unlimited' data = $75 USD
As you can see the Holafly eSIMs are significantly more expensive than Jetpac, Airalo, Nomad and SimOptions. The Holafly eSIM cards for Australia are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These eSIMs do also not come with a phone number.
According to the Holafly website these Holafly Australia eSIMs are 5G ready. Big plus about Holafly eSIMs for Australia is that they use the network of Optus as well as Telstra.
You can use a hotspot on the Holafly eSIM cards, but it is capped at 500 MB per day.
Why 'unlimited'? Because there is a Fair Use Policy and Traveltomtom has had bad experiences with this in the past. Suddenly your data speed is slowed down for 24 hours because you apparently used too much data. More info later.
Imagine being on a 10 hour bus or train ride and after 2 hours you will get a message that you used too much data for the day. Then you have to wait 24 hours for the data speed to be reset to normal.
If I hate something then it is slow data speed. Therefore Traveltomtom's is not a fan of eSIM cards with 'unlimited' data with an FUP and therefore it is not my first recommendation when looking for an eSIM for Australia.
Also, the Traveltomtom Team tested Holafly in some another countries and was pretty disappointed with the overall performance. In a certain country Holafly was using the weakest mobile data network operator in that country and while people all around constantly had a proper data connection, the Holafly eSIM did not even have signal. Even in big cities the struggle was real and we constantly had to ask for the public WiFi of the hotel or restaurant because the Holafly eSIM was super slow.
I understand it could be a different story in Australia but Traveltomtom was put off a bit by Holafly eSIMs.
Optus
Besides all the above eSIM cards that you can order on the internet you can also opt to go to an official phone store of one of the mobile internet operators in Australia and buy an eSIM card directly from the provider.
Reminder that you can only buy the following eSIM cards on arrival in Australia, you can NOT order them on the internet.
Optus offers physical as well as eSIM cards for tourists in Optus stores all around Australia and they have 3 standard tourist plans:
- 5 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 7 days = $12 AUD - $7.6 USD
- 40 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $35 AUD - $22 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $45 AUD - $29 USD
Vodafone
In Vodafone stores in Australia tourists can also get an eSIM card and the following plans are available:
- 40 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $30 AUD - $19 USD
- 50 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $40 AUD - $25 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $50 AUD - $32 USD
Telstra
Telstra is the mobile internet that has by far the best mobile 4G/5G network coverage in Australia:
- 3 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 7 days = $12 AUD - $7.6 USD
- 35 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $35 AUD - $35 USD
- 45 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $45 AUD - $45 USD
In Traveltomtom's comparison of the Australia prepaid sim cards Telstra came out as the best buy, simply because it has the strongest mobile internet network and the widest 4G/5G coverage in Australia compared to Vodafone and Optus.
What is the cheapest eSIM card for Australia?
The cheapest eSIM for Australia is the $1 USD eSIM from Jetpac. You get 1 GB data but this eSIM is only valid for 4 days.
Other cheap Australia eSIMs are an eSIM card from Airalo for just $4.5 USD, it will give you 1 GB data for 7 days. Nomad and SimOptions also offer this exact eSIM for the same price. This eSIM is only valid in Australia and does not support calling and texting.
Why ordering an eSIM card for traveling in Australia
eSIM cards are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Australia in 2024 and you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. Order online, scan the QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes.
The most important reason to get an eSIM card is because we would like to stay connected on our trip to Australia without wasting money on high roaming costs. Our smartphones are pretty useless without a working data connection. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, finding nearby friends, restaurants and bars. Get directions from Google Maps or simply staying in touch with family back home, check your social media apps on long bus rides or your banking apps when paying contactless.
One of the best things about arriving in Australia with an activated eSIM card is that you are online as soon as the plane lands. More about when to instal your eSIM card later.
There are so many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Australia, but the most important reason is that it makes your trip to Australia so much more convenient and fun!
At the same time we don't want to waste money on high roaming charges. Many mobile internet operators still charge $3 USD per MB for data roaming, that means just opening the Instagram app will already cost you 20 MB * $3 USD = $60 USD! Not kidding… it still is very common in 2024.
eSIM cards are the easiest way to avoid high roaming charges!
Overseas data roaming plans
So what about overseas data roaming plans? Well, not recommended! Why? Did you read the small letters at what data speed you can use data roaming? Pretty much all mobile internet operators limit the data speed for overseas data roaming plans, which means you end up with 3G data speed. Do you have the patience to handle 3G? It is frustrating when all around you at pretty much every amazing tourist destinations in Australia there is 4G/LTE available.
And price-wise it should be a no brainer since you have seen how cheap the eSIM cards for Australia are.
Uncountable times travel friends have asked me: "Tom, can I use your hotspot? My data roaming plan is so slow, it is barely working!". Trust me, get yourself an eSIM card or an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Australia. Spend a couple dollars extra and be connected all the time instead of begging for WiFi or a hotspot from friends.
Where to buy an eSIM card for Australia?
Online
You can only buy an eSIM card for Australia on the internet through an eSIM card provider. There are multiple eSIM card providers for Australia. Traveltomtom compared multiple eSIM card providers and concluded that the above mentioned ones SimOptions, Airalo, Nomad, Jetpac and Holafly are the best eSIM card providers in 2024.
When buying an eSIM card for Australia through one of the above recommended eSIM providers you only need your email address and the eSIM card is instantly ready to use after installation. There is no ID registration needed.
On arrival in Australia
There are 3 main mobile internet provider in Australia: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Unfortunately none of the operators sell eSIM cards at the international airports. But you can get an eSIM card for tourists in their official phone stores around Australia.
When you arrive in Australia and you buy a local prepaid sim card for tourists in an official mobile operator store from either Telstra, Optus or Vodafone you can choose to get a physical prepaid sim card or an eSIM card.
For more info about buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Australia in 2024 click on the link to read my complete guide and comparison of all the mobile internet providers in Australia, including a comparison of the 4G/5G network.
Flying into Australia and landing in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Cairns or Perth then you can buy a tourist sim card for Australia on arrival at the airport. Although you will find sim card shops from Vodafone, Optus and Telstra you can only buy a physical prepaid sim card, tourist eSIM cards are not available at airports in Australia.
When to order/activate an eSIM card for Australia?
You can order an eSIM card for Australia pretty much any time you want. Most eSIM cards have to be installed on a phone within 1 month after purchasing, some even within 1 year, so you have time.
More important therefore is when do you instal/activate the eSIM card. The validity of some eSIMs start straight after the installation, other eSIM cards only start their validity when they connect the first time to a supported network.
Traveltomtom advices to instal your eSIM card on the day of departure to Australia or before. When in Australia you will need an internet connection to instal your eSIM card. Pretty much every international airport in Australia has free WiFi so you could use that to install your eSIM card. Just make sure it is a stable internet connection and therefore Traveltomtom advices you to install/activate your eSIM card in your home country.
My personal advice is to instal your tourist eSIM card for Australia before you get into the plane and as soon as the plane lands you will be connected without any problems.
How do I know all this? Traveltomtom has visited Australia almost 10 times and traveled all around the country for 8 months in total. In 2023 I visited Brisbane and Sydney on two different trips.
For more info about my experiences buying a sim card at Sydney Airport check out my blog about it or check out my vlog on YouTube.
I also wrote a blog about buying a sim card at Melbourne Airport and there is also a vlog on my YouTube channel about my arrival at Melbourne Airport and buying a prepaid sim card for traveling in Australia.
How to activate an eSIM card
Installing and activating an eSIM card is made as simple as possible. Everyone can activate an eSIM card and the instructions on how to are very detailed and will be send to you instantly by email. But wait, it gets even easier. Just scan the QR code.
When you order an eSIM card plan for Australia you instantly receive a summery of your order including a QR-code after the payment is processed.
You will see a summary of your eSIM card order including a QR code on your screen and at the same time you will also receive an email with the same QR code. The email contains instructions on how to instal and activate your Australia eSIM card.
But installing an activating an eSIM card is as easy as scanning the QR code with the same phone where you want to activate the eSIM card on. The QR contains all the information about your Australia eSIM card.
Once you scan the code you will be guided through a couple simple steps and within less than 1 minute your eSIM card is successfully installed.
Very important is that you are connected to the internet when installing your eSIM card otherwise you will get an error and issues can occur.
Tip: if you order an eSIM card with the same phone where you want to instal the eSIM card on then ask a friend or someone nearby to take a photo of the QR code and then you scan the QR code from his/her phone and start the installation.
Things to know before ordering an eSIM for Australia
Here are some general tips for using eSIM cards when traveling abroad. These tips do not only apply to Australia eSIM cards, but are general things you have to know before buying an eSIM card.
Make sure your phone is unlocked
To make sure you didn't miss this, let me say this again: eSIM cards only work in UNLOCKED phones. If your phone is unlocked then you can use any eSIM card without any problems.
If your phone is locked then ask your mobile internet provider from your home country to unlock your phone before your trip to Australia. It is likely that your mobile internet provider will charge you a fee for unlocking your smartphone.
If you are unable to unlock your phone you can look into getting a portable WiFi for staying connected when traveling to Australia or better… bring a second unlocked phone on your trip to Australia and use it as a portable WiFi device.
Which smartphones support eSIM?
Another very important thing you have to check before buying an eSIM card is if your smartphone supports eSIM cards. If you have any of the latest smartphones then there is no need to worry, all new smartphones of the well known brands support eSIM cards.
The fastest way to find out if your phone is eSIM compatible is by asking Google the question: is my (your phone model) eSIM compatible? Simple as that!
Can I trust these eSIM providers?
All the eSIM providers for Australia recommended in this guide are reputable eSIM card providers reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom. All of them are licensed third party companies and resellers that partner or work directly with the mobile internet providers in Australia.
Traveltomtom has used Airalo and SimOptions sim cards now for more than 5 years and never really faced a major issue.
The Traveltomtom Team has extensively tested and reviewed Nomad and they have proven to be a reliable eSIM card provider. However, some mixed reviews have come back from the Traveltomtom Team about connectivity and activation.
Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider, but Traveltomtom only received positive feedback and excellent reviews about the eSIMs and services of Jetpac.
Since Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIM cards with unlimited data and an FUP I hardly use Holafly, but when I did I was not happy. So now I let the Traveltomtom Team randomly test Holafly and just like myself, mixed reviews have come back. Some positive, some negative.
Traveltomtom does NOT sell Australia eSIMs, Traveltomtom only compares and recommends you to use eSIM cards for traveling to Australia.
All eSIM card providers have their own Helpdesk which you can contact may you encounter any problems or in case you want to claim a refund.
Can I keep my phone number from home with an Australia eSIM?
Yes, you can and this is for many people a reason to order an eSIM card to stay connected when traveling to Australia. An eSIM card can be used next to your physical or eSIM card from your home country at the same time. You do not need a dual-sim phone for using an eSIM card.
So you can have multiple eSIM cards installed on your phone? Yes, no problem at all!
For example: you can turn off the mobile data from your sim card from home but still use it for texting and calling. Your new Australia eSIM card you can be used at the same time just for data to ensure you are not wasting money on high roaming costs.
This is also the trick to keep receiving sms for example for OTP (one time password) sms to login to applications.
Switching between physical and eSIM cards is a matter of turning them on/off in the settings. Just always make sure your sim card from home is switched off for data roaming.
Can I make phone calls with an Australia eSIM?
No, unfortunately all the tourist eSIM cards for Australia available on the internet do NOT include calling and texting. The eSIM cards from Nomad, Jetpac, Airalo, Holafly and SimOptions are data-only eSIM cards and outgoing calls/sms are not supported.
If you buy a prepaid eSIM card on arrival in Australia you get unlimited calling and texting included.
Does an Australia eSIM come with a phone number?
Yes, there are eSIM cards for Australia that come with a phone number. These are the international eSIM cards from Three HK that you can order via SimOptions. They come with a Hong Kong based phone number that starts with +852. This means these eSIMs can receive calls and sms.
All other Australia eSIM cards that you can buy on the internet do not come with a phone number which also means these eSIMs can not receive any phone calls or sms.
In the above Australia eSIM card comparison you can find all the specifications per eSIM card.
Can I use 5G on an Australia eSIM?
Most of the Australia eSIM cards are nowadays 5G ready. Unfortunately, Airalo and Jetpac are staying behind and all their eSIM plans for Australia only support 4G/LTE.
All eSIMs from SimOptions, Holafly and some of the Nomad eSIMs are 5G ready.
That said, there is still not much 5G available in Australia, although 4G/LTE is widespread in most tourist destinations in Australia.
Are there eSIMs for Australia with unlimited data?
If a sim card with unlimited data is truly unlimited, no throttling, no data speed cap, but unlimited high speed data then YES AMAZING!
Holafly and Nomad eSIMs for Australia include unlimited data but they also have an FUP. Traveltomtom does NOT recommend these kind of eSIMs.
Always ask yourself is unlimited truly unlimited? Is there a catch? If the unlimited data is not on max data speed, then there is a so called Fair Use Policy (FUP). Which means that your data speed will be capped after you used an X amount of Gigabytes.
A great example are the Nomad eSIMs with a daily plan. These plans give you 1, 2 or 3 GB high speed data per day and then after you can use unlimited data up to a speed of 512 Kbps. That data speed is useless, only good for WhatsApp or email. At least Nomad tells you exactly what is their FUP.
Holafly is another eSIM provider that sells eSIMs with unlimited data for Australia and uses a this so-called Fair Use Policy. However, Holafly does NOT specify what the FUP is. Which is very concerning!
Traveltomtom does NOT recommend Australia eSIM cards with unlimited data plans with an FUP. On Holafly sim cards I experienced a reduce in data speed after using more than 2 GB per day. After I contacted support they explained me that I had to wait for 24 hours until my data speed was restored to normal.
Those 24 hours were a nightmare as my data speed was barely enough to use WhatsApp. Social media was not even loading!
Especially on days that you have a long bus or train ride and you need a lot of data, you definitely don't want any data speed restrictions that day.
If you think you will never use more than 2 GB per day, then these Holafly or Nomad eSIMs might be your favorite eSIM card.
However, if you don't use so much data per day then what's the point of an eSIM with unlimited data!?
The Jetpac Australia eSIM for $28 USD gives you 20 GB data. There is no real need for an eSIM card with unlimited data unless you want to upload your whole camera roll to a Google Drive or iCloud via 4G/LTE instead of WiFi.
There are a lot of different specifications per eSIM card. Another reason why I advice you to take a close at my comparison of the best eSIM cards for traveling to Australia in 2024 before choosing your favorite.
Are eSIM cards the best way to stay connected when traveling to Australia?
eSIM cards are the easiest and fastest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Australia, but what is the best way?
There are 3 ways to stay connected when traveling to Australia:
- Local prepaid sim cards
- International prepaid sim cards
- eSIM cards
Let's compare eSIM cards, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards, for you to find out what is your preferred way of staying connected.
Local prepaid sim cards
If you use a lot of data then local prepaid sim cards for Australia are a cheaper way to stay connected, depending on the length of your trip. Australia prepaid sim cards offer bigger data plans than tourist eSIM cards you order online and on top of that local prepaid sim cards come with unlimited local calls and sms.
The big difference is that a local Australia prepaid sim card can only be purchased on arrival in Australia in a phone store and NOT on the internet.
More info about the best Australia sim cards for tourists can be found in my complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for Australia in 2024.
International prepaid sim cards
If your smartphone is not eSIM compatible you can order an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Australia. Some of them are great for Australia as well as in all other countries in for example Europe, Americas and Asia and you can easily order them online.
If after visiting Australia you are traveling onwards in Asia then check Traveltomtom's list of the best sim cards for traveling internationally in 2024.
A pre-activated physical sim card will be delivered to your home address before your trip. You put this physical sim card in your phone and as soon as the plane touches the ground and the sim card connects to a supported network you are online. Plug and play!
Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for Australia directly online.
eSIM cards
As explained throughout the article there are two different eSIM cards:
- eSIM cards that you buy on the internet through a third party
- eSIM cards that you buy in Australia in a mobile internet provider store
As shown in the comparison of the best eSIM cards for Australia, all of the mobile internet providers in Australia offer eSIM cards. A prepaid sim card plan can be bought as an eSIM card or as a physical prepaid sim card.
Traveltomtom personally shopped around in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to obtain all the vital information for getting a prepaid sim card in Australia as a tourist.
On arrival at the international airports in Australia they only sell physical prepaid sim cards for tourists which is a bit of a bummer.
Read all about it in my detailed guide about buying a sim card at Melbourne Airport, Sydney Airport or Brisbane Airport.
eSIM cards vs. local prepaid sim cards
Getting an eSIM card on the internet is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Australia, no doubt! You arrange everything online within just a couple clicks. Right here, right now and you are all set for your trip to Australia. You arrive prepared and there is no need to visit a sim card shop on arrival in Australia.
As soon as the plane lands, you are online!
Price difference
But what is cheaper? An eSIM card or a local prepaid sim card for tourists?
When we compare Australia eSIM card prices with local prepaid sim cards for Australia, it is an easy conclusion that local prepaid sim cards are much more affordable as you get many more Gigabytes for the same price.
But local prepaid sim cards can only be bought in Australia in a sim card shop and a tourist eSIM card can be bought in 2 minutes on the internet.
That said, eSIM cards that you buy on the internet are in fact cheaper as they already start from just $1 USD and local prepaid Australia tourists sim cards start from around $8 USD.
Australia has cheap prepaid sim card plans, especially since Australia is an expensive country to travel. But 40 GB data for just $19 USD is pretty cheap compared to other countries in the world.
For more info check out my article about the best prepaid sim cards for Australia in 2024.
Keep in mind that the best value eSIM card from Jetpac gives you 20 GB data for just $28 USD as well! So tourist eSIM cards for Australia that you order on the internet are very good deals as well with only $1.4 USD per Gigabyte.
After a long flight you just want to go to your hotel and it is often a big task to go to a sim card store and get connected. With eSIM cards you buy on the internet you are connected as soon as the plane lands. For this convenience Traveltomtom definitely recommends to order one of the listed best eSIM cards for Australia in the comparison above.
Many reasons why a lot of travelers simply get an eSIM card for Australia. Faster, easier, less stress and even cheaper depending on how much data you need.
Data speed
Another difference between a local prepaid sim card and an eSIM card is that eSIM cards are often through a third party, a so called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These MVNO's operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet operators and basically buy bandwidth.
This may sound a little bit too technical, but what it means is that eSIM cards through an MVNO are the last ones in line when the line is busy. Especially during peak times, the performance of an eSIM cards is less compared to a local prepaid sim card from a mobile internet operator.
Bottomline: the data speed of eSIM cards can be less compared to a local prepaid Australia sim card.
Best 4G/5G mobile data network in Australia
Last but not least I will show you why it is important to choose the right eSIM for Australia and why Traveltomtom has consistently been telling you to get an eSIM that operates on the Telstra network.
Traveltomtom researched the 4G/5G network of all the mobile internet providers in Australia and compared the mobile internet coverage maps of Optus, Vodafone and Telstra.
Here is the 4G/5G network coverage map of Telstra.
Here is the 4G/5G network coverage map of Optus.
Telstra has by far the best network coverage in Australia, Optus is second best, Vodafone has by far the smallest mobile data network in Australia.
Although the above mobile data network coverage map is updated for 2024 it is not 100% accurate. However, it is a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Australia in 2024.
For more information check out Traveltomtom's article about the best prepaid sim card for Australia.
- Nomad eSIMs for Australia operate on the 4G/5G network of Optus
- Airalo eSIMs for Australia operate on the 4G/LTE network of Optus
- Jetpac eSIMs for Australia operate on the 4G/LTE network of Telstra
- Holafly eSIMs for Australia operate on the 4G/5G network of Optus as well as Telstra
Unfortunately SimOptions does not specify on which network their eSIMs operate in Australia, but at least all of them are 5G ready.
I am sure some of the above tips for finding the best eSIM card for your trip to Australia were helpful. I hope that after reading through my comparison, tips and tricks it was easier to make a decision and order your eSIM card for Australia right away.
If you still have any questions about eSIM cards then please leave me a comment below or reach out to me on social media and I am more than happy to help you out.
Curious what the life of a full time nomadic traveler looks like? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along with daily updates from around the world about the good, the bad and the ugly about traveling.
Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world. As of August 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, still about 40 to go, but no rush.
Enjoy your trip to Australia!