Optus prepaid plans range from a $10 starter option to 365-day long-expiry plans with 300GB of data, but the real value hinges on which tier matches your actual usage. This guide breaks down the full lineup, the trade-offs against competitors, and the cheapest long-expiry alternatives running on the same network.
Starting price: $10 for first 28 days ·
Most data on a standard plan: 45GB for $39 ·
Long Expiry max data: 300GB on first 3 recharges, then 220GB ·
International roaming pass: $10 per day ·
Talk & text inclusions: Unlimited standard national talk & text on long expiry plans
Quick snapshot
- Optus offers prepaid plans with 28-day and 365-day validity (Optus Prepaid SIM Plans)
- Price increases announced in 2024 citing network costs (Optus Prepaid SIM Plans)
- eSIM available on select prepaid plans (Optus Prepaid SIM Plans)
- Future pricing adjustments after May 2025
- Exact data speeds on prepaid vs postpaid
- Optus raised prices in 2024 (Optus Long Expiry)
- Optus likely to adjust plans in response to MVNO competition
- Value of long expiry plans may increase
The table below captures the key specs across Optus’s current prepaid lineup, from the entry-level $10 plan to the high-data 365-day option.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Cheapest monthly plan | $10 for 28 days (limited data) |
| Best value standard plan | $39 for 45GB (28-day cycle) |
| Maximum data on long expiry | 300GB on first 3 recharges, then 220GB |
| International roaming pass | $10 per day for talk, text & data abroad |
| eSIM compatibility | Available on the $39 45GB plan and others |
What Optus Prepaid plans are there?
Standard 28-day plans
Optus’s standard prepaid plans run on a 28-day cycle and start at just $10 for the first recharge. The range tops out at 45GB for $39 – the sweet spot for moderate data users. All standard plans include unlimited national talk and text, and access to Optus’s 5G network where available.
- $10 plan: 1GB data, unlimited talk & text
- $19 plan: 4GB data, unlimited talk & text
- $39 plan: 45GB data, unlimited talk & text, 200GB rollover data
Long expiry 365-day plans
The long expiry option gives you a full year of service with a single upfront recharge. According to Optus, these plans include unlimited standard national talk and text, plus 300GB of data on the first 3 recharges and 220GB on subsequent ones. The 365-day validity means no monthly deadlines to chase.
- 365-day validity
- 300GB first 3 recharges, then 220GB
- Unlimited national talk & text
eSIM availability
Optus offers eSIM on select prepaid plans, including the $39 45GB option. Activation can be done through the My Optus app. This is convenient for dual-SIM users or those with eSIM-only devices.
The $39 45GB standard plan gives you 45GB of data plus 200GB rollover – that’s effectively 245GB for the price of 45GB if you carry it over month to month. For heavy users, it’s the strongest value in Optus’s prepaid roster.
The pattern: Optus structures its prepaid lineup to reward higher spenders with better per-GB value, making the $39 plan the logical choice for anyone who uses more than 5GB a month.
What are the advantages of Optus Prepaid plans?
No lock-in contracts
Prepaid plans by nature avoid credit checks and long-term commitments. You’re in control – recharge when you need it, switch when you want. As Canstar notes, prepaid is ideal for those who want flexibility.
Data rollover on select plans
Optus’s $39 45GB plan comes with 200GB of rollover data – unused data stays active for the next recharge cycle. This effectively turns a 45GB plan into a 245GB plan if you maximise the rollover.
International roaming options
The $10 per day international roaming pass includes talk, text and data abroad on Optus’s network partners. It’s a straightforward add-on for short trips, though daily costs can add up on longer stays.
Data rollover sounds generous, but note that rollover data expires after 28 days on standard plans. On long expiry plans, rollover is less relevant because the entire data allowance spans a full year.
What this means: Optus’s prepaid advantages appeal most to users who value flexibility over raw data volume and who stay within Australia.
What is the downside of a prepaid phone plan?
Higher per‑GB cost compared to postpaid
While prepaid avoids contracts, the per-gigabyte cost is often higher than on postpaid family plans. Canstar points out that the cheapest prepaid plans are typically short-term (7 days) designed for visitors, not long-term daily use.
No device subsidies
With prepaid you pay full price for your handset – no interest-free instalments. If you’re someone who upgrades phones every two years via a postpaid contract, prepaid means either buying outright or financing separately.
Expiry pressure
Unused data and credit expire at the end of the period. On a 28-day plan, that means you lose whatever you don’t use. Long expiry plans mitigate this, but you still face a single large upfront cost.
If you frequently forget to use your data, a long expiry plan makes more sense – you pay once and don’t worry about monthly deadlines. But if you need a cheap entry point, the $10 plan works, though you’ll get very little data.
The catch: prepaid’s freedom from contracts comes with a premium that shows up in per-gigabyte costs, expiry deadlines, and upfront phone costs.
Why are Optus plans so expensive?
Network investment costs
Optus raised prices in 2024, citing ongoing network investment – including 5G rollout and spectrum costs. Optus has been upfront about these costs, which are passed on to both prepaid and postpaid customers.
Inflation and price hikes
Like most providers, Optus adjusts pricing to reflect inflation and operational costs. Even so, its prepaid plans are generally cheaper than Telstra’s but more expensive than many MVNOs. Canstar shows MVNOs undercutting Optus on per-GB pricing by 30–50% in some cases.
Comparison with Telstra and Vodafone
Against Telstra’s cheapest prepaid ($30 for 2GB), Optus’s $10 plan looks very competitive. Vodafone’s prepaid starts at $15 with 4GB. The catch: Telstra’s network coverage is often better in regional areas, while Optus and Vodafone share roaming agreements.
The implication: Optus prepaid sits in a middle tier – pricier than MVNOs but cheaper than Telstra, with network quality as the differentiator.
Who has the cheapest prepaid mobile plan?
Optus prepaid lowest tier
Optus’s cheapest prepaid plan is $10 for 28 days with 1GB of data and unlimited talk/text. That’s the lowest entry price among major Australian networks.
MVNOs undercut Optus on per-GB
For long-expiry plans, the market has some sharp pricing. According to Finder, the OnePass Mobile 365 Day Plan 200GB costs $149 first recharge ($200 thereafter). Reviews.org.au names Lyca Mobile’s discounted 365-day plan with 200GB for $110 first recharge ($220 thereafter) as the cheapest in its database. Both use Optus’s network, so coverage is identical.
How to find the cheapest plan for your usage
The best plan depends on your data habits. If you use under 5GB a month, a cheap monthly MVNO like TeleChoice ($17 for 28 days, per Canstar) might be better. If you use 10–15GB a month, a long expiry plan from Lyca Mobile or OnePass works out to about $12.50–$15 per month. For heavy users, Optus’s $39 45GB with rollover remains competitive.
The OnePass Mobile 365 Day Plan offer was noted by Finder as having ended on July 14, 2026. Always verify current deals on the provider’s site before buying.
Three long-expiry 365-day plans, one clear pattern: Optus offers the most data per recharge, but MVNOs undercut on upfront price.
| Provider | Network | Expiry | Data (first recharge) | Price (first recharge) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optus Long Expiry | Optus | 365 days | 300GB | Not disclosed (check Optus) |
| Lyca Mobile 365-day | Optus (MVNO) | 365 days | 200GB | $110 |
| OnePass Mobile 365-day | Optus (MVNO) | 365 days | 200GB | $149 |
| Optus Flex Plus | Optus | 186 days | Not specified | $180 |
The $39 45GB plan is the most popular choice – here are the specs.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | $39 per 28 days |
| Data inclusion | 45GB (plus 200GB rollover) |
| Talk & text | Unlimited standard national talk & text |
| Network | Optus 4G/5G |
| eSIM | Supported |
| Data rollover | 200GB to next recharge |
| International roaming | Available with $10/day pass |
Upsides
- No lock-in contracts – top up as needed
- Data rollover on select plans can double your allowance
- Long expiry plans eliminate monthly deadlines
- 5G access included at no extra cost
- eSIM support on modern plans
Downsides
- Higher per-GB cost than many MVNOs
- No device subsidies – buy your phone outright
- Unused data expires at period end
- Capped data speeds during network congestion (prepaid deprioritisation)
Confirmed facts
- Optus offers prepaid plans with 28-day and 365-day validity
- Price increases announced in 2024
- eSIM available on select plans
- Data rollover of 200GB on $39 45GB plan
- International roaming pass $10/day
Uncertain claims
- Future pricing adjustments after May 2025 – not yet confirmed
- Exact data speeds on prepaid vs postpaid – Optus doesn’t publish deprioritisation thresholds
- OnePass Mobile 365-day offer ended July 14, 2026 (medium confidence, per Finder)
- Optus likely to adjust plans in response to MVNO competition – speculative
- Value of long expiry plans may increase – speculative
What the analysts say
The cheapest prepaid plans are typically short-term plans with a seven-day expiry.
OnePass Mobile 365 Day Plan 200GB is the best cheap long-expiry prepaid option.
The cheapest long-expiry mobile plan in our database was Lyca Mobile’s discounted 365-day plan with 200GB for $110 on the first recharge.
Optus Flex Plus is the best 6-month expiry prepaid plan in its roundup at $180 for 186 days.
— Finder (as cited in earlier section)
The pattern across analyst recommendations: cheapest upfront cost and cheapest per-month value rarely point to the same plan, making usage habits the deciding factor.
For Australian prepaid shoppers, the decision comes down to how much data you need and how often you want to think about recharging. If you’re a light user who values low upfront cost, Optus’s $10 plan or a cheaper MVNO like TeleChoice makes sense. If you use 10–15GB a month, the Lyca Mobile or OnePass long expiry plans give you the lowest effective monthly price. For heavy users who want the simplicity of a single provider and big data allowances, Optus’s $39 45GB plan with rollover is hard to beat. The implication: don’t assume a major network’s prepaid is always the cheapest – the MVNOs on Optus’s own network can save you real money.
For those considering a prepaid option, our detailed guide to Optus SIM Only Plans provides a comprehensive comparison of prices and features.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my number when switching to Optus prepaid?
Yes – you can port your existing number during activation. Optus provides instructions on the checkout process.
How do I recharge my Optus prepaid plan?
Recharge online via the My Optus app, at a retail store, or through third-party voucher outlets.
Does Optus prepaid include 5G access?
Yes – all current Optus prepaid plans include access to the Optus 5G network where available.
What happens to unused data after the plan expires?
Unused data expires at the end of the period. On the $39 45GB plan, up to 200GB rollover data can be carried to the next recharge within 28 days.
Can I use an Optus prepaid SIM in a phone from another provider?
Yes – Optus prepaid SIMs work in any unlocked device that supports Optus’s network bands (most modern phones).
How do I activate eSIM on Optus prepaid?
Purchase a prepaid eSIM online or in-store, then follow the QR code activation steps in the My Optus app.
Are Optus prepaid plans eligible for data rollover?
Only the $39 45GB plan includes 200GB rollover data. Other standard plans and long expiry plans do not offer rollover.
Thomas Grant leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Australia Watch.