Ultimate Guide to Staying Connected in Australia for Students

Moving to Australia? 🌏 Here’s everything you need to know to ensure you’re always connected during your exciting journey. Whether you’re a student or just visiting, keeping communication lines open is essential. Let’s break it down step by step!

Pre-Departure Checklist: Prepare Your Mobile Setup

• 1️⃣ Switch to a Mobile Plan with Number Portability: Make sure you are on a plan that allows you to keep your number.
• 2️⃣ Activate International Roaming: Before departing, activate your international roaming service and consider purchasing an Australian data package to have a seamless internet experience upon arrival.
• 3️⃣ Download the WiFi Worry-Free App: Mobile users can download this app to manage their calls while abroad, ensuring you can receive calls and texts from home at no extra cost.

This setup helps you avoid losing your home SIM card while ensuring your phone usage can continue without interruptions once you arrive in Australia. 📱

Choosing Your Australian SIM Card

After landing, one of the first things you need to sort out is an Australian SIM card. Here are your options:

Opt for the Right Carrier

Two Ways to Get a SIM Card

• Option 1: Directly Purchase an Annual Plan: We recommend the Coles Mobile Prepaid Annual Plan. Be cautious when choosing other options, as many annual plans require an Australian bank account for activation. This specific plan can be activated with your passport, just remember to disable auto-charge during setup.
• Option 2: Start with a Monthly Plan. If you’d like to explore more options or wait for potential discounts, consider getting a monthly plan as a temporary solution and then move to an annual plan later.

Monthly Plan Details

Monthly plans can be purchased at the airport or nearby Coles/WWs supermarkets. For example, I opted for a plan priced at 💰35 AUD for 40 GB, which is valid for 28 days! Pro tip: you can sometimes snag discounts; I got mine for just 25 AUD at the airport.

Annual Plan Insights

When choosing an annual plan, you typically have two types:

• Prepaid: Pay for the year in one lump sum.
• Postpaid: Pay monthly, but note that activation requires an Australian bank account.

Here are the two promotional annual plans from Coles Mobile, powered by Optus:

• (1) Discounted Rate: 💰155 AUD for 140 GB/year (originally 195 AUD) – about 13 AUD/month.
• (2) Discounted Rate: 💰179 AUD for 210 GB/year (originally 240 AUD) – about 15 AUD/month.

These plans include generous data allowances, unlimited calls and texts within Australia, and even free calls back home! Just remember to activate your plan within 30 days of purchase. 📆

Staying Connected in Australia

With WiFi readily available at schools and homes, you’ll find you can easily manage with the above plans. Choose one that suits your needs, and enjoy your time in Australia without worrying about connectivity!

Keep Following for More Tips!

For more insights on studying abroad and lifestyle tips in Australia, be sure to follow our blog! 📚✨

Happy travels and enjoy your Australian adventure! #AustraliaStudent #AussieSIMCard #StudyAbroadGuide