SIM Plans Buying Guide: Choose the Right Plan for You
When you're looking at SIM plans with different inclusions, it's easy to land on something that doesn't quite fit (and to pay more than you need to).
This guide is built around three questions that will help you choose the right SIM plan for you: how much data do you actually use, how often do you want to pay, and do you call overseas or travel regularly? Answer those, and the right plan becomes clear.
First, here’s a quick snapshot of our plans.
Keep in mind that you'll need a compatible device to use these plans. You can check whether your device is compatible here.
Plans with calls and texts
28-day mobile SIM plans
Pay every 28 days, no lock-in contract so you can switch or cancel your plan anytime.
Plan | Data | International standard calls & texts to |
15GB | 28 countries | |
42GB | 28 countries | |
80GB | 42 countries | |
95GB | 42 countries | |
120GB | 42 countries |
Longer-term plans
Pay once, for longer.
Plan | Data | Term | International standard calls & texts to |
150GB | 6 months | 42 countries | |
200GB | 12 months | 28 countries | |
240GB | 12 months | 28 countries |
Data-only plans
No standard calls or texts.
Plan | Data | Term |
30GB | 28 days | |
100GB | 28 days | |
365GB | 12 months |
Now, before we look at each plan in more depth, let’s look closer at those questions to help you choose.
Three questions to ask before you choose your plan
1. How much data do you use each month?
Check your current usage in your phone settings, it might surprise you. If you're consistently using less than 20GB in any renewal period, a lower-data plan with data banking may serve you well. Data banking allows you to rollover unused included data into the next renewal period when you stay on your plan. Sometimes you can also retain your banked data when you change plans (see www.amaysim.com.au/db for details). If you're regularly hitting 50GB or more in any renewal period, a plan with a larger data allowance may make more sense from the start.
2. Do you want to pay monthly or annually?
amaysim’s 28-day plans have no lock-in contract which gives you the freedom to switch or cancel your plan whenever you like. Annual plans typically cost less per month but ask you to pay upfront. What is best for you will depend on how you like to manage your finances and how settled you are with your current usage.
3. Do you call overseas or travel internationally?
These are worth thinking about separately. Calling overseas numbers from Australia and using your phone while travelling overseas are two different things, and each may require different plan features. Knowing which applies to you (or whether it's both) will help you find the right fit faster.
Okay, let's dig into some plan specifics before we talk a bit more about some extra features and why they might or might not be for you.
If you want, you can jump straight to:
amaysim's 28-day plans: built for flexibility
28-day plans suit anyone who wants regular billing cycles and the flexibility to change plans without penalty. Or maybe you’re unsure how much data you actually need. There's no lock-in contract on any of amaysim's 28-day plans, so you can switch or cancel your plan at any time.
$30 / 15GB plan
The $30 / 15GB plan is an entry-level option which can work well for light users – which may include people who mostly use Wi-Fi and only need mobile data for on-the-go browsing.
What makes it work over time is data banking: each time you renew your plan, any included data you don't use in a renewal period rolls over automatically into a data bank for later, so light months build a cushion for busier ones.
$35 / 42GB plan
If you need a more generous monthly allowance without spending a lot, the $35 / 42GB plan is worth a look. It's a solid amount of data for everyday use (think: streaming, social media, maps, and more) at a price that doesn't ask much of your budget.
$40 / 80GB plan
The $40 / 80GB plan steps things up. It comes with Number Link included at no extra cost – letting compatible smart watch users share their number and select plan inclusions across both devices, so they can make and take calls, send messages and stream from their wrist without needing their phone nearby. Note that Number Link excludes 5G, MMS, roaming and voicemail, and that your phone needs to be on and connected to the network or Wi-Fi to send and receive SMS. International inclusions also expand here, going from 28 to 42 countries for international standard calls and texts.
$45 / 95GB plan
For those who want a little more room, the $45 / 95GB plan sits neatly between the $40 and $50 options. Number Link is included, international standard calls and texts cover 42 countries, and the data allowance increases to 95GB.
$50 / 120GB plan
The $50 / 120GB plan is for people who rely heavily on their phone – work, entertainment, navigation, wellness tracking, the lot. It's a premium-sized allowance at a reasonable price, with Number Link and 42 countries for international standard calls and texts.
Not ready or don’t need to commit to a full month?
If you're visiting Australia, testing amaysim's network before switching from another provider, or just need coverage for a short window, our 7-day plan is worth a look.
At $10 / 10GB per week, it's a low-cost way to get connected without opting for a full 28 day plan. You still get unlimited data banking when you stay on your plan, standard international calls and texts to 42 countries, and 5G access at max 150Mbps, just on a weekly renewal cycle. Recharge when you need to, or simply stop when you don't.
Long-expiry plans: pay once, sorted for months
Not everyone wants to think about their phone plan every 28 days. For anyone who prefers to pay once and forget about it, amaysim's long-expiry plans are worth a serious look.
$150 / 150GB / 184-day plan
The $150 / 150GB / 184-day plan is a good middle ground. Six months of mobile service paid upfront, with 42-country international standard calls and text inclusions and data banking when you stay on your plan. It suits people who want a longer runway than a 28 day plan without committing to a full year.
$270 / 200GB / 365-day plan
The $270 / 200GB / 365-day plan works out to around $22.50 a month. It's ideal for set-and-forget users who know their data habits and want a full year sorted in one payment.
It also works well as a purchase for someone else: for example, adding it as a second service on your account for a child or elderly parent, so it's all managed in one place.
$320 / 240GB / 365-day plan
The $320 / 240GB / 365-day plan offers a more generous data allowance at around $26.67 a month. It can be a better fit for teenagers or family members who use more data but still suit the simplicity of an annual payment.
Once you've tried the set-and-forget approach, you might wonder why you didn't switch sooner.
Data-only plans: all the data, none of the extras
If you make calls through apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime rather than your standard dialler, a data-only plan may be all you need. These plans include no standard calls or texts, just data.
$25 / 30GB / 28-day plan
The $25 / 30GB / 28-day plan is a low-cost option for simple internet use. It also works well as a dedicated data SIM for a tablet or secondary device.
$50 / 100GB / 28-day plan
The $50 / 100GB / 28-day plan is built for heavier data users, for example, anyone who hotspots other devices or needs a second SIM with a high data allowance.
$350 / 365GB / 365-day data plan
For the set-and-forget version, the $350 / 365GB / 365-day data plan works out to around $29.17 a month. Pay once, and your data is covered for the year.
Data banking applies to all data-only plans, so unused data from any renewal period carries forward automatically, as long as you stay on the same plan. Sometimes you can also retain your banked data when you change plans (see www.amaysim.com.au/db for details).
Find your fit: a quick guide to help you choose your plan
There’s a lot of information to take in. Here's a simple overview to help you choose. Keep in mind that this is only intended to be used as a general guide. The plan that best suits your needs will be based on your individual usage and requirements.
This plan might suit you if… | Plan to consider |
You use mobile data lightly and want to build a reserve over time by using data banking | |
You're not sure how much data you use yet and want the freedom to switch | |
You need a solid data allowance for everyday use (for example streaming, maps, social) | |
You have relatively high data needs and want to connect a compatible smartwatch | $40 / 80GB or $45 / 95GB or $50/120GB |
You want to pay once and not think about your plan for six months | |
You want to pay once and not think about your plan for a full year | |
You prefer to run everything through apps and don't need standard calls or texts | $25 / 30GB data plan or $50 / 100GB data plan |
You want a full year of data in a single payment | |
You need a low-cost short-term option, or just want to try amaysim before committing | $10 / 10GB – 7-day plan |
Got a smartwatch? Here's what to look for in a plan
Number Link lets you share your mobile number and select plan inclusions with a compatible Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch. You can leave your phone behind and still make and receive calls, send messages and stream over 4G straight from your wrist.
It's included at no extra cost on the $40 and above 28-day mobile SIM plans. You'll need a compatible phone and watch model to use it.
A few things worth knowing: Number Link runs on 4G, not 5G. It doesn't support MMS, international roaming, or voicemail. And to send and receive SMS, your phone needs to be on and connected to the network or Wi-Fi.
These are worth factoring in before you choose a plan specifically for this feature.
Learn more about Number Link.
International calling: what's included in your plan
Some amaysim plans include standard international calls and texts to a set list of countries – built into the plan price, no add-on required.
The difference between plans comes down to how many countries are covered.
Plans | International inclusions |
$30 / 15GB and $35 / 42GB (28-day) | Standard calls and texts to 28 countries |
$40 / 80GB, $45 / 95GB and $50 / 120GB (28-day) | Standard calls and texts to 42 countries |
$150 / 150GB (6-month) | Standard calls and texts to 42 countries |
$270 / 200GB and $320 / 240GB (365-day) | Standard calls and texts to 28 countries |
The full country lists are available on each plan's page, or check quickly below. If you regularly call a country that falls only in the 42-country list—such as the Philippines or Italy—that's a meaningful reason to consider another plan.
For calls to countries outside the included list, standard international rates apply. You can check rates here.
28 countries that are included:
Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Guam, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the USA, and Vietnam.
42 countries that are included:
Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, the USA, and Vietnam.
Travelling overseas? Add a roaming pack
amaysim talk, text and data plans include standard international calls and texts from Australia to select destinations, but they don't include roaming when you're overseas. If you're travelling, you can add a roaming pack to your plan via the amaysim app before you go.
There are four packs to choose from, each valid for 365 days across 120+ destinations:
Small Talk: $20 – 100 mins + 100 SMS
The Works: $25 – 50 mins + 30 SMS + 2GB data
Just Gigs: $50 – 6GB data
The Epic: $70 – 100 mins + 60 SMS + 9GB data
Unused inclusions roll over if you buy another pack within the 365-day period, so nothing goes to waste. Just make sure international roaming is turned on and you'll use your unused inclusions any time you travel in one of our selected destinations.
Find the full destination list and pack details on the international roaming page.
How data banking works (and why plan size changes the picture)
Data banking is included on all amaysim mobile SIM plans, and it works the same way regardless of which one you're on: each time you renew your plan, any included data you don't use in a renewal period rolls over automatically into your data bank.
There's no cap on how much can be stored and no expiry period. As long as you stay on the same plan, your banked data is there when you need it. Sometimes you can also retain your banked data when you change plans (see www.amaysim.com.au/db for details).
Where plan size makes a difference is in how your data bank builds up (or doesn’t):
On a lower data plan, like the $30 / 15GB option, you're building up gradually.
On a higher data plan like the $50 / 120GB option, you're less likely to hit the limit in the first place, and anything left over still banks automatically when you stay on your plan.
You can check your data bank balance any time in the amaysim app.
Two things worth remembering: firstly, if you switch to a different plan, your existing data bank balance won't always carry across to the new one (although in some instances it does, see www.amaysim.com.au/db for more details). And secondly, you won’t be punished if you miss a renewal payment. Your balance is reinstated once you re-add your plan, so you won't lose the rolled over data permanently.
Auto-recharge: how it works and how to control it
Autorecharge is enabled by default when you purchase an amaysim plan. When you link a payment method to your amaysim account, your plan renews automatically at the end of each cycle. This means no gaps in service and you don't have to remember to manually recharge – your plan just keeps going.
If you'd prefer to manage renewal manually, you can turn off automatic recharge at any time via the amaysim app, through My amaysim on the website, or by sending "STOP UNLIMITED" to 568.
There are no exit fees and no lock-in contracts on any plan, but keep in mind that if you cancel mid-cycle, unused days aren't refunded. If you want to switch to a different plan, downgrades take effect at the end of your current cycle so you don't lose what you've already paid for.
Ready to choose?
Browse the full range and check current offers (including any active deals) to find the option that fits your usage and budget.
If you still have questions, try these guides: