Australians are still paying for more mobile data than they need


Last updated

iPhone Air camera

Australians are likely paying for more mobile data than they need, according to the ACCC's recently released Internet Activity Report and Communications Market Report. 

The regulator found that the average data allowance for mobile plans advertised in the 24/25 Financial Year was 69GB per month. Despite this, the average Australian only used 14.5GB per month. 

This figure combines both postpaid and prepaid services. Broken out, postpaid customers used 18GB per month, while prepaid customers used 9.8GB per month. That's an increase from 17.4GB and 9.3GB in last year's Internet Activity Report. 

"Despite increased usage in recent years, consumers do not use the higher data allowances that have been offered over time and may instead prefer lower data allowances for a lower price," wrote the ACCC. 

When it comes to postpaid plans from Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone, customers are unable to get an allowance smaller than 50GB. The Big Three do have cheaper options available as part of their prepaid ranges, as well as through their sub-brands. Customers are unable to pair a new phone with these plans, however. 

These are the cheapest prepaid mobile plans in the WhistleOut database with at least 10GB:

#1
OnePass mobile
OnePass mobile

28 Day Plan - 22GB

  • 22GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Save $12.50 - Get 22GB for only $12.50 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $25/22GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply
$12.50
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#2
Lyca Mobile
Lyca Mobile

Unlimited Plan S

  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
  • Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply
$15.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#3
iiNet
iiNet

30GB Small Plan

  • 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply.
$15.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
#4
TPG
TPG

30GB Small Plan

  • 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply.
$15.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
#5
Kogan Mobile
Kogan Mobile

Large Monthly Plan

  • 120GB data
  • Deal: Get 120GB for $20 (incl. $20 off for first 6 mths + 40GB bonus data for 6 mths), then 80GB for $40 thereafter, valid until 25.10.26
$20.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#6
Yomojo
Yomojo

Starter 29GB Plan

  • 29GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$24.90
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#7
Lebara Mobile
Lebara Mobile

$25 SIM Plan

  • 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$25.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#8
Coles Mobile
Coles Mobile

Prepaid $25 for 28 Days

  • 22GB data
$25.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#9
Superloop
Superloop

SuperSim Saver 4G Plan

  • 15GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
  • Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service
$25.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#10
ALDI mobile
ALDI mobile

$28 Mobile Plan

  • 12GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$28.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied

And these are the cheapest postpaid mobile plans in the WhistleOut database with at least 15GB:

#1
SpinTel
SpinTel

$23 Mobile Plan

  • 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth
$12.00/mth
Min. cost $12
#2
Moose Mobile
Moose Mobile

Moose 23 SIM Only

  • 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27
$14.00/mth
Min. cost $14
#3
Swoop
Swoop

30GB SIM Only 5G

  • 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes $11 off for first 6 months - $14/mth for first 6 months then $25/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27
$14.00/mth
Min. cost $14
#4
Dodo
Dodo

Small Mobile Plan

  • 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$25.00/mth
Min. cost $25
#5
Tangerine Telecom
Tangerine Telecom

30GB 5G Mobile SIM

  • 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn.
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
#6
Aussie Broadband
Aussie Broadband

Saver 5G SIM Plan

  • 20GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $30
Link not supplied
#7
More
More

30GB 5G Mobile SIM

  • 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get $10/mth off new mobile plans for 36mths, then $4/mth ongoing when you sign up with a CommBank debit or credit card. Ends 31.3.27
$33.00/mth
Min. cost $33
Link not supplied
#8
Belong
Belong

25GB Mobile Plan

  • 85GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes 60GB monthly bonus data for first 12 months when you activate your new service by 04.11.26. T&Cs apply.
$34.00/mth
Min. cost $34
Link not supplied
#9
Coles Mobile
Coles Mobile

$35 Mobile Plan

  • 45GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
  • Deal: Only $11 for 45GB (incl. $24 off first renewal). Offer ends 27.10.26
$35.00/mth
Min. cost $11
Link not supplied
#10
Optus
Optus

$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan

  • 100GB data
  • Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply.
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39

The ACCC found that Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and their respective sub-brands had a collective market share of 87% in the financial year ending June 2025, while independent MVNOs made up the remaining 13%. That's a 1% increase on the previous financial year.

Looking for a new NBN plan?

These are the most popular NBN 50 plans with WhistleOut users this week:

#1
Belong
Belong
All Fixed Line nbn®

NBN Standard Plus – Unlimited

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Includes $36 off for 6 months - $55/mth for first 6 mths, then $91/mth (Offer ends 04.11.26) + Free $80 Mobile SIM
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
#2
Dodo
Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®

nbn50 Unlimited Plan

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Incl. $30/mth discount for 6 months based on the standard price $87.99/mth*. Ends 08.12.26. T&Cs apply.
$57.99/mth
Min. cost $57.99
#3
Tangerine Telecom
Tangerine Telecom
All Fixed Line nbn®

Value Plus NBN 50/20

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Includes $25/mth off for the first 6 mths, $64.90/month for first 6 months, then $89.90/month.
$64.90/mth
Min. cost $64.90
#4
iiNet
iiNet
All Fixed Line nbn®

nbn50 Liimitless

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Includes $20/mth off for 6 mths – $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $89.99/mth. Use code SAVE20FOR6
$69.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $79.99
Link not supplied
#5
Moose NBN
Moose NBN
All Fixed Line nbn®

nbn 50/20 Premium

  • nbn® 50/18 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Includes $24/mth off for first 6 months - $59.80/mth for 6mths, then $83.80/mth + Get eero 7 modem for only $175 (RRP $249).
$59.80/mth
Min. cost $59.80
Link not supplied
#6
Flip
Flip
All Fixed Line nbn®

Unlimited Family nbn50

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Incl. $16.90/mth off for 6 months - $68/mth for first 6mths then $84.90/mth. New customers only. Ends 31.10.26. T&Cs apply.
$68/mth
Min. cost $68
#7
Superloop
Superloop
All Fixed Line nbn®

Extra-value nbn50/20

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Incl. $20/mth off for 6 months! $69/mth for 6 mths, then $89/mth + Bundle & Save
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
#8
TPG
TPG
All Fixed Line nbn®

nbn50 Unlimited Plan

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $89.99/mth. T&Cs apply.
$69.99/mth
Min. cost $69.99
Link not supplied
#9
More
More
All Fixed Line nbn®

Value Plus NBN

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: $75/mth for 36 months, then $90/mth ongoing for CommBank customers who sign up using a CommBank credit or debit card
$100/mth
Min. cost $100
Link not supplied
#10
Origin Broadband
Origin Broadband
All Fixed Line nbn®

Experience nbn® 50

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Includes $30/mth off for 6 mths, $79/mth for 6 mths, then reverts to $109/mth + Bundle and Save!
$79/mth
Min. cost $79
Link not supplied

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros
Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

Read full bio

Save on your phone plan

On average, WhistleOut visitors save over $160 a year when they switch telco services. Start saving now.

Compare phones and plans from the following carriers...

Latest Mobile Phone Deals

Pay just $14/mth for the first 6mths for the Swoop 30GB 5G SIM.

40GB for $15/mth for first 4mths! Ultd data banking, $200 international calls & no excess data charges!

50% off plan fees for 4mths. $15 for 30GB with international call inclusions!

5G BYO mobile eSIM plan with data rollover. No short term discounts; 130GB data for $40/mth

50% off first 3mths when you switch to Felix, $17.50 for 50GB for 3mths!

See our Editor's Pick choices for the Best Mobile plans this month