Great student mobile plans for your best university years
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What to look for when comparing student phone plans
Unfortunately, students don’t get heaps of options when it comes to mobile discounts – at least, not as much as they used to. However, the main three Australian telco providers still offer competitive choices. Huzzah for big mobile?
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Mobile providers can use a lot of fancy buzzwords in their offers, too, so here’s a mobile jargon buster to cut through the confusion.
While searching for the best student mobile discounts can be a bit tricky, it's a good idea to compare plans and look for deals from top providers.
Without further ado, here are some fantastic mobile discounts (some for students) which may catch your eye.
Does Telstra offer student mobile plans?
As Australia’s largest mobile network provider, Telstra has earned a reputation for its impressive coverage but daunting prices. (Doesn’t mean they don’t offer good deals from time to time, though!)
Unfortunately, they don’t offer any special student discounts at the moment, but they do have a concession offer on certain prepaid SIM plans for eligible Healthcare card holders. Terms and conditions definitely apply. But if you’re already on Austudy or Youth Allowance , this could be one to check out.
Alternatively, this is where smaller carriers who piggyback off Telstra’s network can come in handy. These carriers sell at retail price what Telstra offers wholesale, meaning they tend to be far cheaper overall. However, you may not get as many extras, features, or any student discounts with a smaller carrier, so take your needs into consideration when comparing what’s on the market. They can just be a way to access Telstra's extensive network for generally cheaper prices.
Browse a selection of mobile plans* on the Telstra network below.
*Student discounts may not apply to plans.
Does Optus offer student mobile plans?
With the second biggest coverage and some heckin’ good deals, Optus is often considered the middle ground between the other two telcos. And good thing, too, because they have a specialised Student Hub specifically for your university years.
If you’re over 18 and have a valid university email address, you can sign up and select your preferred Optus Choice Plus plan with a student discount (with condition). Optus will run other student concessions from time to time, including discounts on eligible home internet deals. Not every Optus plan comes with a student discount, however, so keep this in mind for your search.
Compare Optus mobile plans* below.
*Student discounts may not apply to all plans.
Does Vodafone offer student mobile plans?
While technically the smallest network of the three, Vodafone shows up to the uni party with a host of competitive mobile deals, especially for prepaid plans. While they don’t offer any specific student discounts, there are ways to take advantage of their services and get the biggest bang for your buck.
You could bundle broadband with mobile for a discount, get $5 per day data roaming for your overseas trips, and or trade up your old phone for credit towards a new one, like brand-new iPhone 14 (conditions apply to every offer, so read the T&Cs before purchase). Vodafone also updates their Student Hub with their best deals for students, so compare what’s on offer to see what looks good to you.
Compare Vodafone mobile plans* below.
*Student discounts may not apply to plans.
Comparing cheap mobile plans for $30 or less
Even if you don’t get a student discount, it can still pay to find and switch to a cheaper deal. Here’s a list of some mobile plans on offer for $30 or less.
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Keen on more mobile? Head to our mobile hub for more handy guides. You can also subscribe to the Moneyzone newsletter for more cost-crunching tips.
