Network Coverage First
Australia has three mobile networks: Telstra (best coverage, especially regional), Optus (good metro coverage, weaker regional), and Vodafone (improving, mainly metro). All other brands (Boost, Amaysim, Woolworths, Aldi, Lycamobile) use one of these three networks. Boost uses Telstra's full network. Amaysim and Woolworths use Optus. Choosing the right network matters more than the plan details — the cheapest plan is worthless if you can't get signal at home or work.
For Chinese Australians living in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane CBD areas, all three networks perform well. If you travel regionally (Blue Mountains, Great Ocean Road, wine regions), Telstra or Boost is strongly recommended — Optus and Vodafone have significant coverage gaps outside metro areas.
Best Plans by Category
| Use Case | Best Plan | Price | Data | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall value | Boost $30 prepaid | $30/28 days | 40GB | Telstra |
| Heavy data user | Vodafone $45 postpaid | $45/month | 100GB+ | Vodafone |
| Budget option | Aldi $15 prepaid | $15/30 days | 12GB | Telstra |
| Best for China calls | Lycamobile $23 plan | $23/30 days | 15GB | Telstra |
| Family plan | Optus Family $40ea | $40/line/month | Shared 500GB | Optus |
International Calls to China
If you regularly call family in China on their Chinese mobile numbers, standard mobile rates are prohibitively expensive ($1-3/minute). Better options:
- WeChat/WhatsApp voice calls: Free over WiFi or data. The obvious choice for most calls. Quality depends on internet connection at both ends. Most Chinese parents already use WeChat — this should be your primary communication method.
- Lycamobile ($23/month): Includes unlimited calls to China landlines and mobiles. Uses Telstra network. The best value for traditional phone calls to China. Popular in the Chinese Australian community for this reason.
- Lebara ($25/month): Includes 300 minutes to China. Uses Vodafone network. Good if you're in a metro area.
- Skype Credit: $0.023/min to China mobiles. Buy credit as needed. Good for occasional calls from your computer.
Prepaid vs Postpaid
Prepaid: Pay in advance, no contract, no credit check. Best for: new migrants (no Australian credit history needed), people who want cost control, and anyone who doesn't want to be locked in. You can buy a prepaid SIM from any supermarket, newsagent, or phone shop — activate online in minutes. Plans renew every 28 or 30 days.
Postpaid: Monthly bill, requires credit check. Benefits: slightly better value at higher price points, international roaming options, device payment plans (pay off a new phone over 24-36 months). Drawback: you need Australian credit history (typically 6+ months of stable employment and bills in your name). New migrants should start with prepaid and switch to postpaid after 6-12 months once credit history is established.
Tips for New Migrants
- Buy an Australian SIM at the airport when you arrive — Vodafone, Optus, and Telstra all have airport kiosks with tourist/welcome plans
- Keep your Chinese SIM active for WeChat and Alipay verification — use a dual-SIM phone or a cheap spare phone
- Boost Mobile ($30/28 days, 40GB, full Telstra network) is the best starting plan for most new arrivals
- Download the Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone coverage map app to check coverage at your home and work addresses before choosing
- If your entire family is switching, Optus Family plans offer the best multi-line value ($40/line for 5 lines with shared data pool)
Bottom Line: For most Chinese Australians: Boost $30 prepaid for reliable Telstra coverage and good value, or Lycamobile $23 if you call China frequently. Avoid signing up for expensive postpaid contracts until you've been in Australia 6+ months and understand your actual usage patterns.