These prices were checked on 14 October 2026, more than 30 days ago. Check the provider's page before you buy.
Telstra · Postpaid SIM-only · Telstra network
Upfront Essential Mobile Plan
$84 a month, 180GB a month. Optus Medium gives you at least as much data for $168 less in the first year.
- First year
- $1,008
- Two years
- $2,016
- Average a month
- $84
- Per GB, year one
- $0.47
Same price in year two
What you get
- Data
- 180GB a month. Slowed to 1.5Mbps, never charged.
- Calls and texts
- Unlimited standard national calls, SMS and MMS
- Overseas calls
- Some overseas minutes included. 30 minutes of calls to any standard international number, plus unlimited international SMS and MMS
- Roaming
- Day Pass: $5 a day in 7 countries or $10 a day in 80+, each with 2GB of data a day
- Renews
- Postpaid bill a month
- Features
- 5G, eSIM, Data sharing, Satellite messaging, No lock-in
- Extras (not counted in the price)
- Telstra Satellite messaging on compatible phones
- 10% off for eligible concession card holders
- Telstra Plus points on bill payments
- Can add Bundle Plans for other people
Plans with similar data
Plans with 90GB to 270GB a month, cheapest first year first.
| # | Plan | Data a month | First year | Two years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belong100GB | 100GB | $588 | $1,176 |
| 2 | ALDI Mobile$49 120GB | 122GB | $637 | $1,225 |
| 3 | MateSoul 160GB | 160GB | $696 | $1,392 |
| 4 | Belong160GB | 160GB | $708 | $1,416 |
| 5 | ALDI Mobile$59 175GB | 177GB | $767 | $1,475 |
| 6 | OptusMedium | 240GB | $840 | $1,680 |
| 7 | TelstraEssential | 180GB | $1,008 | $2,016 |
Head to head
Your first year, payment by payment
12 payments in your first year, all at the standard price. That adds up to $1,008.
| Payment | Day | You pay | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | $84 | 180GB |
| 2 | 30 | $84 | 180GB |
| 3 | 61 | $84 | 180GB |
| 4 | 91 | $84 | 180GB |
| 5 | 122 | $84 | 180GB |
| 6 | 152 | $84 | 180GB |
| 7 | 183 | $84 | 180GB |
| 8 | 213 | $84 | 180GB |
| 9 | 243 | $84 | 180GB |
| 10 | 274 | $84 | 180GB |
| 11 | 304 | $84 | 180GB |
| 12 | 335 | $84 | 180GB |
When the data runs out
When the 180GB runs out, you're slowed to 1.5Mbps instead of being cut off or charged. That is enough for messages and maps, but slow for video. Whether unused data carries over is not recorded for this plan, so check the Critical Information Summary.
Is it good value?
- Year one works out at $0.47 a GB, the 15th cheapest of the 27 plans we track.
- The price stays the same all year, so there is no deal to run out.
- There is no lock-in contract, so you can leave when a cheaper plan turns up.
- 30 minutes of calls to any standard international number, plus unlimited international SMS and MMS.
Questions people ask
What network does Telstra Essential use?
Telstra uses the Telstra network. It runs its own network. Check Telstra's coverage map for your street.
What happens when the deal ends?
There is no deal on this plan right now. It costs $84 a month.
Can I use it overseas?
Day Pass: $5 a day in 7 countries or $10 a day in 80+, each with 2GB of data a day.
Is there a contract?
No. It has no lock-in contract. It renews on your monthly bill.
How was this checked?
On 14 October 2026, from Telstra's own pages. Prices older than 30 days are hidden from the comparison. We are not paid by providers to rank them.
Sources
Checked 14 October 2026 on Telstra's own pages: Telstra SIM-only plans · Critical Information Summary. Always read the Critical Information Summary before you buy.