Already on Pre-Paid?
Data Packs & other Extras
You can add more data, calls and texts to Australia or overseas.
My Telstra app
The easy way to view your services, pay your bill and troubleshoot tech issues.
All things Pre-Paid
What you need to know about eSIM
For the fastest way to activate a Pre-Paid service choose an eSIM.
Set up & manage
Explore ways to manage your account, including how to calculate your data usage and how to set up an auto recharge.
How to call international on Pre-Paid
Use your Pre-Paid mobile to stay in touch with family and friends overseas.
Why choose us?
Australia’s largest mobile network
With coverage reaching 99.5% of the population, we’re the widest-reaching network in Australia.
Industry-leading security
With a cyber security team monitoring our network 24/7, we take protecting our network from suspicious activity seriously.
Accessibility and inclusion for everyone
We take accessibility seriously, incorporating assistive technology and tools throughout our website and even winning an award at the Centre for Accessibility Australia Access Awards 2023.
Unlock more with Telstra Plus
Make the most of Pre-Paid with Telstra Plus. Earn points on eligible recharges to redeem on movie voucher deals, devices and more.
Frequently asked questions
To activate your Telstra Pre-Paid mobile phone, first of all you need to insert your SIM in your phone and then press and hold the On/Off button until your phone is turned on.
Activate your Pre-Paid SIM card online in a few easy steps:
- Go to telstra.com.au/prepaidactivation
- Sign in using your Telstra ID, or continue as guest
- Enter your SIM details
- Choose to transfer your number from your current provider, or get a new Telstra number
- Fill out your ID details
- Enter your contact details
- Select a plan and recharge
- Confirm your details and click ‘Activate’
Your pre-paid service will normally be active within 20 minutes, but it can take up to 4 hours. If your service isn’t active after 4 hours, check our outages and notifications page for current service disruptions. You can also check the status of your activation using the order number in your email confirmation.
You can quickly recharge in the My Telstra app, track your data usage, change plan and get access to special offers. You can also recharge in My Account, as well as view and manage your Pre-Paid services online. Don’t forget, you’ll need your Telstra ID and password to sign in. For instructions on how to recharge with any of these methods, visit our Pre-Paid Recharge page.
You can set up an auto recharge for your Telstra Pre-Paid service in a few simple steps:
- Sign in using your Telstra ID or register for one. Go to My Account
- Then go to ‘Auto recharge’ and ‘Start set up’.
- Select a saved payment method or add a new one.
- Select an amount to set up your auto recharge.
Keep in touch with family and friends overseas. Telstra Pre-Paid Mobile plan offers capped standard international calls to selected destinations.
Sign in to the My Telstra app. Select Services > Recharge History.
From here you can see your recharge receipts and download them if you wish.
Please visit telstra.com/prepaidroam for info on the international roaming packs available on Pre-Paid
- The Telstra Mobile Network offers 4GX in all major and regional cities and in over 1,600 towns and communities around Australia. In other coverage areas around Australia, you’ll automatically switch to 4G. Check mobile coverage.
- Speeds vary for reasons like location, distance from base stations, terrain, user numbers, hardware/software configuration, download source and upload destination.
Plan speeds
Download speeds are capped on our 4G and 5G network on some plans.
Telstra Pre-Paid Mobile
Your capped download speed is the maximum potential download speed for data included in your recharge. Factors impacting typical speed include location, distance from the base station, local conditions, concurrent users, hardware and software configuration and download/upload destination. Telstra 5G now reaches 80% of Australians. Compatible device required. Roll over unused data when you recharge $13-$69 before expiry. Unlimited calls and text exclude satellite and premium numbers (e.g. 19xx numbers), operator assisted calls (e.g. most 12xx numbers) and diverted calls. Our FairPlay policy applies.
Telstra Pre-Paid mobile devices
Unlocking fee may apply for use with a non-Telstra SIM card. Read more unlocking information. Limit 1 per customer and no trade sales. Blue Tick lets you know which phones are recommended for handheld coverage in rural areas.
Google, Google Play, Chrome and other marks are trademarks of Google Inc. Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Questions about Pre-paid mobiles?
My Telstra app
View your services, pay your bill, troubleshoot tech issues, contact us via messaging and much more.
Support
More information about mobile phones can be found in our Support section.
Send us a message
Questions about Pre-Paid? Get in touch and we'll help you as soon as we can.
Contact us
We're here to answer your questions.