Australians are still paying for more mobile data than they need

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 05 January 2026

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 Editor's Pick	OnePass mobile Editor's Pick 28 Day Plan - 22GB 22GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT 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	$12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 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	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	iiNet	iiNet 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 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 Available until withdrawn.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	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	TPG	TPG 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 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	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	felix mobile	felix mobile felix Unlimited Mobile Plan Unlimited data at download speeds up to 40Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network Deal: $20/mth for first 6 mths. Reverts to $40/month. Use promo code UNL40. Ends 30.11.26. T&Cs apply $20.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$20.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#6	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small Monthly Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network $23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#7	Yomojo	Yomojo Starter 29GB Plan 29GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#8	Coles Mobile	Coles Mobile Prepaid $25 for 28 Days 44GB data On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network Deal: Get 44GB for $10 (incl. $15 off first renewal + 22GB bonus data for first 3 recharges). Ends 24.11.26. T&Cs apply. $25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#9	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $25 SIM Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get the $25 SIM for $9 online until 03.12.26. T&Cs apply $25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#10	ALDI mobile	ALDI mobile $28 Mobile Plan 12GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$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	Pivotel	Pivotel 25GB Mobile 4G Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Incl. 50% off - $11.45/mth for first 6 months, then $22.90/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45 Go to Site	$11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45	Go to Site
#2	SpinTel Editor's Pick	SpinTel Editor's Pick $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT 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 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
#3	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 30GB SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network 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 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#4	Swoop	Swoop 30GB SIM Only 5G 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 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 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#5	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick Medium Mobile Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 50% off! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 6 mths, then $30/mth. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 08.12 $15.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$15.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#6	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband Saver 5G SIM Plan 20GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $30.00/mth Min. cost $30 Link not supplied	$30.00/mth Min. cost $30	Link not supplied
#7	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 15GB 5G Mobile SIM 15GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Bundle your mobile and nbn plans on the same account to get 10% off your mobile SIM-only plan fees. T&Cs apply. $30.00/mth Min. cost $30 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $30	Go to Site
#8	More	More 15GB 5G Mobile SIM 15GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses Telstra Wholesale 4G/5G mobile networks 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	$33.00/mth Min. cost $33	Link not supplied
#9	Belong	Belong 25GB Mobile Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Includes 25GB monthly bonus data for first 12 months when you activate your new service by 30.11.26. T&Cs apply. $34.00/mth Min. cost $34 Link not supplied	$34.00/mth Min. cost $34	Link not supplied
#10	Coles Mobile	Coles Mobile $35 Mobile Plan 90GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: Get 45GB bonus data for the first 3 months. Offer ends 02.02.27 $35.00/mth Min. cost $35 Link not supplied	$35.00/mth Min. cost $35	Link not supplied

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	Dodo	Dodo All Fixed Line nbn® nbn50 Unlimited Plan All Fixed Line nbn® 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 for first 6 mths, then $87.99/mth Min. cost $57.99 Go to Site*	$57.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $87.99/mth Min. cost $57.99	Go to Site
#2	amaysim Editor's Pick	amaysim All Fixed Line nbn® Editor's Pick NBN50 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $40/mth off for the first 6 months ($30 NBN Black Friday Offer + $10 Standard Intro offer), then $85/mth. Ends 30.11 $45/mth for first 6 months, then $85/mth Min. cost $45 Go to Site	$45/mth for first 6 months, then $85/mth Min. cost $45	Go to Site
#3	Belong	Belong All Fixed Line nbn® NBN Standard Plus – Unlimited All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $22 off for 12 months - $69/mth for first 12 mths, then $91/mth (Offer ends 30.11.26) + Free $80 Mobile SIM $69/mth for first 12 mths, then $91/mth Min. cost $69 Link not supplied	$69/mth for first 12 mths, then $91/mth Min. cost $69	Link not supplied
#4	Superloop	Superloop All Fixed Line nbn® Extra-value nbn50/20 All Fixed Line nbn® 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 for first 6 mths, then $89/mth Min. cost $69 Go to Site	$69/mth for first 6 mths, then $89/mth Min. cost $69	Go to Site
#5	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom All Fixed Line nbn® Value Plus NBN 50/20 All Fixed Line nbn® 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 for first 6 mths, then $89.90/mth Min. cost $64.90 Go to Site	$64.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.90/mth Min. cost $64.90	Go to Site
#6	TPG	TPG All Fixed Line nbn® nbn50 Unlimited Plan All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $89.99/mth. T&Cs apply. $69.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $69.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $69.99	Link not supplied
#7	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband All Fixed Line nbn® Value nbn - Unlimited All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 47/18 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25 off for the first 6 months. Promo code SPRING25. $95/mth after promo ends 15.11.26 $70/mth for first 6 months, then $95/mth Min. cost $70 Link not supplied	$70/mth for first 6 months, then $95/mth Min. cost $70	Link not supplied
#8	Flip	Flip All Fixed Line nbn® Unlimited Family nbn50 All Fixed Line nbn® 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 30.11.26. T&Cs apply. $68/mth for first 6 mths then $84.90/mth Min. cost $68 Go to Site	$68/mth for first 6 mths then $84.90/mth Min. cost $68	Go to Site
#9	iiNet	iiNet All Fixed Line nbn® nbn50 Liimitless All Fixed Line nbn® 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 for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99	Link not supplied
#10	Kogan Internet	Kogan Internet All Fixed Line nbn® Silver Unlimited All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $11/mth off for 12mths. $69.90/mth for first 12 months then revert back to $80.90/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $69.90/mth for first 12 mths, then $80.90/mth Min. cost $69.90 Go to Site	$69.90/mth for first 12 mths, then $80.90/mth Min. cost $69.90	Go to Site

Alex Choros

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

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.

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