An Australian mobile number is one of the first things you need, because almost everything else asks for one — bank verification, rental applications, university systems and delivery drivers.
Sort the phone out in your first days. Home internet can wait until you know where you are living.
Prepaid means you pay for a set amount of data and calls up front and it renews when you choose. There is no credit check, no lock-in, and you can change provider whenever you like.
A postpaid contract bills monthly, may bundle a handset, and usually wants identification and sometimes a credit history you will not have yet.
For most students arriving without an Australian credit record, prepaid is the practical starting point. You can always move later, and you can keep your number when you do.
Australia has a small number of companies that own actual mobile networks, and many smaller providers that resell access to them. A reseller is often significantly cheaper for the same underlying coverage.
Coverage is excellent in cities and along the populated coast, and drops off quickly inland. If you plan to travel or study regionally, check the coverage map for your specific route rather than trusting a national claim.
Most current phones support eSIM, which can be activated without a physical SIM card. It is the fastest way to have a working Australian number on the day you land, and it lets you keep your home number active alongside it for messages from family and banks.
Fixed home internet in Australia mostly runs over the National Broadband Network. You choose a retail provider, and the speed tier you pay for matters more than the brand.
Before committing, check what the address already has connected and how long activation takes — it is not always immediate. In a sharehouse, find out whether internet is included before you budget for it. If you only need a stopgap, a mobile plan with a large data allowance, shared to your laptop, will cover you for a few weeks.
Australian Communications and Media Authority
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
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