TL;DR
Boost Mobile, Lyca Mobile, and Tangerine Telecom represent the three best-value paths to a cheap Australian mobile plan. Boost (Telstra full network, AUD 12/mo intro) wins on coverage and speed. Lyca (Telstra wholesale, AUD 10/mo) wins on absolute price. Tangerine (Optus, AUD 15/mo intro) wins for metro users who want Optus coverage at the lowest possible cost.
Network Comparison
| Provider | Network | 5G | Coverage Quality | Rural Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boost | Telstra Full | Yes | Best in Australia | Excellent — full Telstra tower access |
| Lyca | Telstra Wholesale | Yes | 98.8% population | Good but missing some rural towers |
| Tangerine | Optus | Yes (AUD 25+ plans) | 98.5% population | Weaker than Telstra in remote areas |
Pricing
| Plan | Boost | Lyca | Tangerine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | AUD 12/mo (40 GB, first 3 months) | AUD 10/mo (5 GB) | AUD 15/mo (22 GB, first 6 months) |
| After intro | AUD 49/mo (85 GB) | AUD 10/mo (ongoing) | AUD 25/mo (22 GB) |
| Data banking | Yes (up to 280 GB) | No | No |
| International calls | 100 min to selected countries | Unlimited to 28 countries | PAYG rates |
| eSIM | Yes | No | No |
Which to Pick
Pick Boost if you need Telstra’s full network (rural, regional, or travel frequently in areas where Optus is weak). The 3-month introductory price is unbeatable on coverage-per-dollar. After 3 months, switch to another intro offer or stay if the network quality justifies AUD 49/month.
Pick Lyca if you want the absolute cheapest ongoing plan. AUD 10/month with no introductory price cliff. Works on Telstra Wholesale — fine for cities and major regional centres. International call inclusion makes it the best choice for migrant families and anyone calling overseas regularly.
Pick Tangerine if Optus coverage works at your home and workplace and you want the lowest price on the Optus network. The 6-month introductory offer gives a longer discount window than Boost. After 6 months, AUD 25/month is competitive for 22 GB.
Boost Mobile → | Lyca → | Tangerine →
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. Plan details as of May 2026.