Vodafone is one of three network providers in Australia, operating on its own mobile network. In addition to their mobile network, Vodafone also offers NBN services to customers across Australia. Continue reading for more information about Vodafone in Australia and find your best fit among Australia's mobile phone and broadband providers, today.
Overview of Vodafone in Australia
Vodafone is the third biggest telecommunications company in Australia, after Telstra and Optus, and is owned 50/50 by Hutchison Telecommunications Australia and Vodafone Australia. Vodafone Australia, the original network and company, first launched in Australia in 1993 when the Vodafone Network went live.
Between 2004 and 2008, Vodafone Australia began expanding by updating it’s network to 3G, as well as opening more brick-and-mortar stores. Since the Vodafone Australia / Hutchison Telecommunications merger, Vodafone has gone on to expand its coverage of 3G and 4G while doing away with its old 2G network in June 2018.
In 2017 Vodafone launched NBN services as the first fixed-line product they offered.
Vodafone network coverage
Vodafone’s network coverage covers all the major cities; Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Perth, with coverage extending into the surrounding region.
There is less network coverage than Optus or Telstra, the other two network providers in Australia, but they are predicting the expansion of their 3G and 4G coverage within the next three months, particularly in spots with less service in the major cities.
Vodafone mobile offers
Vodafone’s variety of mobile phone plans and services gives customers the ability to choose the best plan for them. Choose between 12-month contracts, month-to-month or prepaid options.
Mobile plans and new phones with Vodafone
If you’re looking for a new phone, Vodafone’s SIM plans with phones mean you can pay off your phone throughout 12, 24, or 36 months. Vodafone offers the latest selection of phones to choose from, including the latest iPhone 11 Pro Max starting at $52.75 a month for 36 months, and the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ starting at $47.19 per month for 36 months.
After choosing a mobile phone, Vodafone offers two types of month-to-month SIM plans:
- Vodafone Red Plus plan, which gives you a certain amount of data at max speed, and then drops down your speed to 1.5Mbps after - so you never truly run out of data
- Vodafone Red plan, which you can add Vodafone Passes to. These will give you unlimited social media browsing, TV streaming, or chatting
All plans are on a no lock-in contract with $0 early termination fee, but if you decide to leave early you will need to pay the rest of your phone in one lump sum payment.
| Type of Plan | Vodafone Red | Vodafone Red Plus or Vodafone Red |
Vodafone Red Plus or Vodafone Red |
Vodafone Red Plus or Vodafone Red |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data/month | 5GB / month | 30GB / month | 80GB / month | 120 GB / Month |
| Price/month | $35 / month | $45 / month | $55 / month | $65 / month |
| International Calls | No | 100 minutes zone 1 + 100 minutes zone 2 |
200 minutes zone 1 + 200 minutes zone 2 |
Unlimited minutes zone 1 + 300 minutes zone 2 |
Vodafone SIM-only plans (bring your own phone)
If you have a phone already and aren’t looking to change, Vodafone has two SIM-Only contract options available; 12-month contract and month-to-month contracts.
Vodafone's 12-month contracts operate the same way as their phone + plan options at the same price. You get the option of either the SIM Only Plus which includes unlimited 1.5Mbps data speeds, or the SIM Only plan which comes with the option to include unlimited streaming, social media browsing, or chatting.
Early Contract CancellationWith a 12-month contract, an early termination fee does occur if you decide to leave before your 12 months are up, which is calculated at $22.50 x months remaining on your contract. If you have a mobile phone repayment you will need to pay off that as well.
Vodafone's month-to-month plans come with no lock-in contract and no termination fee, but for a steeper price. Vodafone month-to-month plans come in three options, and have the option to include Vodafone passes for unlimited streaming, chatting, or social media.
All plans come with unlimited standard national calls and texts. Additional data can be purchased for $10 / GB.
| Data/month | 1GB / month | 5GB / month | 15GB / month |
| Price/month | $35 / month | $45 / month | $55 / month |
Vodafone prepaid offers
Vodafone offers two prepaid SIM card options:
- For traditional pay-as-you-go SIM cards, Vodafone's Pay and Go plan comes in three price points, $30, $40, and $50. These SIM cards charge you per minute, text, or MB of data used and can be recharged when you need it.
- Vodafone Combo Plus prepaid cards give you three options with either 28 or 35 day expiry periods, as well as additional data if you opt-in for automatic recharge.
| Data included | 40GB / 35 days 20GB + 20GB with automatic recharge |
25GB / 28 days 10GB + 15GB with automatic recharge |
55GB / 35 days 30GB + 25GB with automatic recharge |
| Price | $20 / 35 days | $30 / 28 days | $50 / 35 days |
| Expiry Period | 35-day expiry | 28-day expiry | 35-day expiry |
| Included Features | Unlimited standard national calls and texts |
Unlimited standard national calls and texts |
Unlimited standard national calls and texts |
| International Minutes |
500 minutes zone 1 100 minutes zone 2 |
No | 500 minutes zone 1 100 minutes zone 2 |
Vodafone also offers prepaid phones starting at $39 for the Vodafone smart A9 G3, up to the Oppo A73 4G for $299.
Add-ons for your Vodafone mobile plan
There are many mobile add-ons you can include in your phone plan with Vodafone. Vodafone’s SIM-only and Red plans give you the option to include additional data per month (up to 14GB for an extra $45 a month), international boosters and talk plans, and Vodafone Passes which allow you to choose unlimited data for things such as chatting on Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger, social media browsing, and music or video streaming.
Prepaid plan add-ons include additional data, national and international talk, and roaming. All prepaid add-ons can be added through text and can be paid by credit card or Vodafone My Credit.
Vodafone iPads and tablets
Vodafone offers tablets and iPads, similar to their phone and data plans. Vodafone has the latest iPads and tablets including the 12.9 inch iPad Pro from $63.58 per month for 36 months with an included plan and the Samsung Galaxy Book2 4G starting at $54.91 per month for 36 months.
All plans with tablets and iPads come with no lock-in contract, but if you cancel early you will need to finish paying off your device in one final payment.
At this moment, Vodafone does not offer prepaid tablets.
Broadband with Vodafone
Vodafone offers an extensive broadband coverage with Australia’s NBN, including every capital city and several regional centers.
For those who either don’t have NBN yet or whose lifestyle prefers mobility, Vodafone also offers both SIM-Only mobile broadband and prepaid mobile broadband, with the option to include a modem or bring your own.
NBN with Vodafone
Vodafone NBN has recently expanded into every major capital city and several surrounding regions. All Vodafone plans come with unlimited data - you just choose the NBN speed that best suits you, and if you stay with Vodafone for 36 months, your Vodafone Wi-Fi Hub comes at $0 per month.
Vodafone also offers a 30-day Network Satisfaction Guarantee, and you can switch between Vodafone plans at no additional cost.
| Essentials NBN Plan | Essentials+ NBN Plan | Premium NBN Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $59 / month | $69 / month | $69 / month for 6 months $89 / month after 6 months |
| Speed | nbn25 | nbn50 | nbn100 |
Vodafone allows you to bundle your phone and NBN plans for extra savings. If you have Essential+ or Premium NBN, as well as a mobile phone plan $30 and above, you are eligible to bundle and can save between 5% and 20% per month.
Mobile broadband with Vodafone
Vodafone gives customers the option to choose prepaid, SIM-only, or contract mobile broadband with the option to include a modem, bring your own, or add a tablet to your plan.
If you need a modem and mobile broadband, Vodafone offers no lock-in contract options with two choices of modems, and four choices of data plans. Vodafone gives you the choice between the Vodafone Pocket Wifi 2 4G for $2.50 / month + your data plan for 36 months, or the Huawei Wifi Gateway 2 4G for $5.50 / month + data plan for 36 months. While there is no lock-in contract, if you end your contract early, you will need to pay off your modem in one payment.
If you already have a modem or tablet and just need a SIM, Vodafone’s SIM-Only mobile broadband is offered on a 12-month contract or month-to-month with no lock-in fee. Vodafone offers its 12-month contract with the same price and data options as their modem with the broadband plan however with a 12-month contract there is an early termination fee of $7.50 x number of months left on your contract.
| Data Option | 3GB / month | 20GB / month | 50GB / month | 100GB / month |
| Price | $15 / month | $30 / month | $45 / month | $60 / month |
Vodafone's prepaid mobile broadband starter packs come either with or without a modem. Vodafone has one option for their modem starter pack, at $59 for 10GB of data for 30 days, plus a Vodafone Pocket Wifi 2 4G. Vodafone also sells its Pocket Wifi 2 separately for $59. Vodafone’s mobile broadband SIM Starter Pack comes in 3 options and each has a 30 day expiry period.
| Price | $30 / month | $40 / month | $50 / month ($25 / month until 15/10/19) |
| Data | 10GB / month | 25GB / month | 35GB / month |
| Expiry | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
Contact Vodafone customer service
You can contact Vodafone using one of the numbers provided below. Alternatively, you can go to our complete guide on How to contact Vodafone.
| Department | Phone Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Phone and Mobile Broadband Sales |
1300 100 515 | 8 am-midnight weekdays 9 am-midnight weekends |
| NBN sales | 1300 801 122 | 8 am-10 pm every day |
| Customer Service | 1300 650 410 or 1555 |
24/7 |
How to sign up with Vodafone
You can sign up with Vodafone either online, in-store, or over the phone using one of their customer service phone numbers. When subscribing online you will need to provide at least one form of the following identification: driver's license, Australian passport, or international passport.
To apply over the phone or in-store will need one form of identification such as a passport, Australian driver's license, or Proof of Age/Photo Card.
You may also need a secondary form of identification such as a student ID, or a credit or debit card, as well as:
- Full name
- Contact number
- Email address
- Residential address + previous address if you lived at your current location for less than 3 years for internet services
- Proof of employment, study, or pension
- Direct debit information
According to the Australian government, prepaid mobile phones require an ID check as well. You may be required to give your full name, residential address, and birthday as well as any other prepaid phone numbers you have taken out. If you do not pay by bank card or have more than five phone numbers, you may be required to submit additional documentation. More information can be found on the Australian Government website
How to cancel your Vodafone service
Vodafone offers a 30-day network guarantee for all its network services. To close your account after the 30-day guarantee, you can either call 1555 from a Vodafone phone or 1300 650 410 from a different phone.
If you’re overseas you can dial +61 426 320 000.
Keep in mind that any outstanding device payments will need to be paid off before you can cancel your service.
Read more articles about Vodafone
Vodafone Mobile Phones, Prepaid and No-Contract Mobile Plans
Vodafone NBN: Best Vodafone NBN Plans and How to Subscribe to a Vodafone NBN Plan
Vodafone Contact and Customer Service Australia