Best eSIM Options for Travelling to Australia: Everything you need to know

Planning a trip to Australia and wondering how to stay connected without getting slammed by roaming fees? Things have come a long way. Travel eSIMs now make it ridiculously easy to get online in Australia - no queues, no ID checks, and no tech headaches. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best travel eSIMs for Australia in 2025, how to install them, where to buy them, and what to do if you run out of data mid-trip. If you want to land connected and stress-free, read on.

Why Use a Travel eSIM in Australia?

Let’s explain what an eSIM is

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card built directly into your phone, meaning no more tiny plastic SIMs when you land in a new country. Instead of swapping out a physical SIM, you can activate a travel eSIM for Australia online in minutes. This is a game-changer for international travellers-no hunting down a local SIM, no dodgy airport kiosks, and no delays in getting connected. With an Australia travel eSIM, you can simply download your plan, switch to the local network, and start using data as soon as you touch down.

Benefits of Using an eSIM for Travel to Australia

Travelling should be about exploring, not stressing over how you’ll stay connected. A travel eSIM for Australia makes things easy: activate it before you leave, land in Australia, and start using data instantly! No dealing with expensive roaming charges, and no need to find a SIM store. If you need to switch between your home SIM and travel eSIM, it’s just a quick setting change-perfect if you want to keep your home number active for calls while using local data.

Best eSIM Options for Australia Travel

Key Features to Consider in an Australia Travel eSIM

When choosing the best eSIM for Australia travel, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. The three major networks in Australia are Telstra, Vodafone, and Optus. Telstra offers the widest coverage, reaching 99.7% of the population, while Vodafone and Optus both cover around 98.4% thanks to a recent network-sharing agreement.

So if you’re planning to go way way out into the remote areas Telstra may be your best bet. Most travel eSIMs for Australia are data-only, which works perfectly since messaging apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime replace the need for traditional calls and texts so that’s not an issue. Otherwise the primary (and obvious) features to consider is price and data.

Recommended eSIM Providers for Australia

Several eSIM providers offer international eSIMs for Australia, but they’re not all created equal. Here’s a quick comparison:

Best Travel eSIMs for Australia in 2025

If you’re heading to Australia and looking for the best travel eSIM, here’s a side-by-side comparison of top providers based on pricing, reviews, and real-world performance.

1. ZenSim – Best for Customer Support & All-Round Value

Price: 20GB for A$50 ($33 USD) · 10GB for A$37 ($25 USD)

ZenSim is a rising Australian eSIM provider offering simple 30-day plans with generous data and no hidden fees. Sporting a 4.9-star rating on ProductReview and consistent praise for fast, responsive support - perfect if you run into issues while on the road. Their pricing is competitive too, especially when you factor in the reliable speeds and local expertise.

2. Airalo – Best for Brand Recognition

Price: 20GB for A$47.50 ($30 USD) · 10GB for A$28.50 ($18 USD)

Airalo is one of the biggest names in the eSIM space and offers solid value. While their pricing is decent, their 3.7-star Trustpilot rating brings them down a notch, with some complaints around support and connectivity. Still, it’s a decent option.

3. Saily – Well Known and Decent Value

Price: 20GB for A$50 ($30 USD) · 10GB for A$30 ($18 USD)

Backed by the creators of NordVPN, Sailys pricing is competitive and their 4.6-star Trustpilot rating reflects mostly positive reviews. That said, the network quality can be spotty - something we’ve personally experienced during testing. If you're prioritising cost over reliability, it might still be worth considering.

4. Simify – Local Aussie Brand With Premium Pricing

Price: 20GB for A$59 ($38 USD) · 10GB for A$45 ($29 USD)

Simify is an Australian-based provider targeting travellers directly. While it's nice to support local, their pricing is on the higher end compared to others in this list. That said, they maintain a solid 4.3-star rating on ProductReview, making them a trustworthy, if slightly pricier, option.

When choosing your eSIM, consider your data needs, budget, and how much you value support if things go wrong. For the best all-round experience, ZenSim offers a great mix of value, performance, and service.

Types of eSIM Plans for Australia

Monthly Plans with Calls, Texts, and Data

Some eSIM providers offer full mobile plans that include an Australian phone number along with unlimited calls and texts within Australia. These are a great option for long-term travellers, expats, or anyone needing full mobile functionality. While they typically offer better value for money, they also require a few extra steps-such as an online ID check-before activation.

Another key thing to remember is that these plans auto-renew, so if you only need one month, you’ll have to cancel before the next billing cycle to avoid extra charges. At ZenSim, we offer flexible monthly plans, and if you only need it for one month, you’re free to cancel after that but for trips under 30 days we recommend using our travel eSIMs.

Data-Only Travel eSIMs

For most short-term travellers, a data-only travel eSIM is the way to go. These eSIMs don’t come with a local phone number or SMS services, but that’s rarely an issue since apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Messenger handle most communication needs. One big advantage? No ID checks are required to purchase a travel eSIM in Australia, and they’re not subscription-based-once your plan runs out, you won’t be charged again. Personally, I think these are the best option for travel. They’re simple to activate, easy to manage, and most importantly, there’s zero risk of forgetting to cancel a subscription (we’ve all been there).

Regional eSIMs

There are some regional plans which can be super helpful for people who are travelling around to a few countries in the region. As well as providing plans for Australia only you can also get an Asia travel plan which covers Asia, New Zealand AND Australia or we also provide an Oceania travel plan which is for Australia and New Zealand only.

How to Activate Your Australia Travel eSIM

Activating your eSIM for Australia is usually quick and painless - no tech degree required. While the exact steps vary a little between providers, here’s what the process generally looks like:

1. Choose and purchase your travel eSIM plan online.
2. Scan the QR code (or use the manual install code) provided via email or app.
3. Follow the prompts on your phone to install the eSIM.
4. Enable the eSIM and turn on mobile data and roaming.
5. You’re online! 🧑‍💻📶

Let’s dig into the timing and what to do if your data runs out.

When Should You Install the eSIM?

You’ve got two options: install it before you leave or once you arrive in Australia.

• Before your trip:
  Installing early means less stress when you land. Most providers let you install the eSIM and keep it “off” until it activates automatically when you connect to a supported network in Australia (including us). The eSIM also won’t activate until you land so you don’t have to worry about the usage starting early.
• On arrival:
  If you’d rather wait until you’re on Aussie soil, you can install it at the airport or your hotel. Just make sure you’ve downloaded the QR code and have Wi-Fi access.

Pro tip: Some travel eSIMs (like ZenSim) activate automatically based on your location, so you don’t need to stress about timing.

What If You Run Out of Data While Travelling?

Running out of data mid-trip? No worries - here’s what you can do:

• Top up through your provider
  Many providers, including ZenSim and Airalo, let you top up directly via their website or app. Just select the plan or amount of data you want and follow the prompts. We take it a step further at ZenSim and you can also top up using different countries if you happen to be going else where or stopping over somewhere you can add these destinations to the same eSIM.
• Switch to a new provider
  If your current provider doesn’t allow top-ups or you’re having coverage issues, you can install a new eSIM entirely. Just make sure your phone supports multiple eSIMs or delete the old one before adding the new.

Staying connected is easy when you know your options - just don’t wait until you're out of data in the middle of the Outback to sort it out!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you run into problems during activation, try these fixes:

• eSIM connection troubleshooting guide If you like you can check out our eSIM troubleshooting guide to make sure everything is setup properly but we will summarise the points below.
• QR Code Not Scanning? Make sure your camera is clean and well-lit. If that doesn’t work, you can use our ZenSim app to install the eSIM, this is also super easy.
• No Network Connection? Double-check that your eSIM is set as the active data plan and that mobile data and roaming are enabled in your mobile setting.
• eSIM Not Showing Up? Restart your phone, as sometimes a reboot is needed for the eSIM to register properly (this is often the issue)
• Still Stuck? Contact customer support for assistance-most providers offer chat or email support to help with setup issues, you can contact ZenSim via WhatsApp or Messenger for the fastest response.

Following these steps should get you up and running smoothly with your travel eSIM in Australia.

Where to Buy a Travel eSIM for Australia

Buying a travel eSIM for Australia is easier than ever - and you don’t need to wait until you land. You’ve got two main options: buy online before your trip or pick one up locally once you're in Australia.

Buying Online Before Your Trip

The simplest (and most popular) option is to grab your Australia travel eSIM online before you even pack your bags. This gives you peace of mind knowing you’ll be connected the moment you land.

The two biggest advantages of travel eSIMs are you get to compare prices before you land, and they’re a truck tonne cheaper than roaming!

After purchase, you’ll receive a QR code or activation link by email. You can usually install it instantly or wait until you're ready to activate.

Check out our Australian travel eSIMs page for more info.

Can You Buy eSIMs in Australia?

Yes, but it’s a bit more complicated.

Australian telcos like Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone offer prepaid SIMs - but they’re mainly designed for locals, not tourists. Here’s what to expect:

• Identification required: You’ll need to show your passport or ID in-store or online to activate a local eSIM.
• Less tourist-friendly setup: Plans are often more expensive or complicated compared to travel eSIMs.

Unless you're staying in Australia long-term or want a local number for calls and SMS, buying a travel eSIM online before you arrive is usually faster, easier, and cheaper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Calls and Send SMS with a Travel eSIM?

Most Australia travel eSIMs are data-only, meaning they do not come with a local phone number or SMS capabilities. This is fine for most travellers since apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, FaceTime, and Messenger allow you to make calls and send texts using mobile data or Wi-Fi. If you need an Australian phone number for local calls and SMS, you’ll need a monthly plan rather than a short-term travel eSIM. Some providers (like us) offer these options, but they usually require ID verification and are designed for longer stays.

Will My Phone Work with an Australian eSIM?

Most newer smartphones support eSIM, but it’s always worth checking before you buy. Popular compatible models include recent iPhones (XS and newer), Google Pixels (Pixel 3 and newer), and many Samsung Galaxy devices (S20 series and up).
If you’re unsure, check our our eSIM compatibility checker.

Can I Use the Same eSIM Across Multiple Countries?

Some eSIM plans cover more than just Australia. For example, regional eSIMs may include New Zealand or parts of Asia, letting you hop between destinations without changing plans.
If your itinerary includes multiple countries, look for a regional plan for the continent you're visiting to save the hassle (and cost) of installing multiple eSIMs.

What Happens When I Leave Australia?

Once you leave Australia, your eSIM will automatically stop working and you don't need to do a thing. If your plan is Australia-only, you can safely turn it off or delete it from your phone, or if your with ZenSim and plan on travelling again in the next few months you can keep it and simply top up the existing Australia eSIM with your next destination rather than buying and installing a new eSIM.

Conclusion

A travel eSIM is the easiest and most cost-effective way to stay connected while visiting Australia. Instead of dealing with expensive roaming fees or hunting down a local SIM, you can activate your eSIM before you arrive and start using data the moment you land. With flexible plans, wide network coverage, and no long-term commitments, eSIMs give you total control over your connectivity. Whether you're a short-term visitor or a digital nomad, a travel eSIM for Australia ensures you get reliable, high-speed data without the hassle. Choose the right plan for your trip, activate in minutes, and focus on enjoying your time in Australia.