Telstra Mobile Plans Explained: Upfront, Prepaid and Which to Pick

What Types of Telstra Mobile Plans Are There?

Telstra has two main families of mobile plans: Upfront and prepaid. Upfront plans are monthly postpaid plans, billed at the end of each month. Prepaid plans are paid upfront for a set period, then you recharge when they expire.

Within Upfront, you can pick SIM only (you keep your own phone) or add a phone and repay it over a set term. Prepaid plans don’t include phones, so you buy the handset outright.

We’re a Telstra partner in Brisbane, so we help people choose between these every day. The honest answer is that neither is always better. It depends on how you use your phone.

Telstra Upfront vs Prepaid: How Do They Compare at a Glance?

How Much Do Telstra Upfront Plans Cost in 2026?

Telstra Upfront plans cost $74 a month for 50GB, $84 for 180GB and $99 for 300GB. All run on Telstra’s full network, and Telstra says speeds are uncapped.

Standard prices following Telstra’s 5 May 2026 changes, as reported by Finder and Canstar. Telstra also offers a 5GB Starter plan for existing customers, but it’s no longer sold to new ones. Offers change, so ask us for today’s price.

How Much Do Telstra Prepaid Plans Cost?

Telstra prepaid starts at $15 for 7 days, with 28-day plans from $44 and long-expiry options up to $395 for 12 months. You pay upfront, use the data, then recharge before it expires to keep your number and your rollover data.

Standard prepaid prices after Telstra’s May 2026 changes. See Telstra’s Pre-Paid FAQs for the details, or our prepaid SIM cards page.

Which Is Cheaper Over a Year: Upfront or Prepaid?

Prepaid is usually cheaper if you use under about 20GB a month, while Upfront wins on big data. Here’s a rough yearly picture.

A year has about 13 recharges of 28 days, which is why prepaid is a little more than 12 times the price. The 12-month prepaid plan is the cheapest on paper, but its 180GB has to last the whole year, so it suits light users and backup phones.

Should You Get a Phone on a Telstra Plan?

A phone on an Upfront plan spreads the cost, but it isn’t automatically the cheapest way to buy. You repay the handset over a set term, so add up the phone repayments and the plan together and compare that with buying the phone outright and choosing a SIM only plan.

If you like a new phone every couple of years, a plan with a phone can be convenient. If you keep phones for four or five years, buying outright and choosing SIM only, or prepaid, often costs less. See our Telstra plans page and our guide on repair vs buying a new phone before you commit.

Which Telstra Plan Is Right for You?

What Extras Come With Telstra Plans?

Is Telstra Worth the Extra Cost?

It depends on where you go. Telstra costs more than Belong and Boost, and you pay for the full network, Telstra’s own support and phones on plans. If you stay in the suburbs and want the lowest price, a cheaper brand may suit you better.

We help with all three brands, so we’ll tell you honestly. Our guide to Telstra vs Belong vs Boost compares them side by side, and you can see each brand on our Belong and Boost pages. Check your own routes on Telstra’s coverage map.

How Do You Switch to a Telstra Plan and Keep Your Number?

Activate your new Telstra SIM and choose “Keep existing number”. Your old service closes once the move is done, so keep your old SIM in your phone until then and don’t cancel first. Telstra says eSIM isn’t yet available if you’re keeping your number from another provider, so choose a physical SIM for that move. Our Switch to Telstra page covers the full process, and our Help Centre answers the common questions.

Frequently Asked Questions