98.5%
Population coverage
Optus 4G and 5G reaches roughly 98.5% of Australians, the second-widest of any provider, covering the major cities along the coast plus many regional and rural areas.
Provider overview
Provider overview
Optus mobile: Australia's value network
Optus runs the second-largest mobile network in Australia, reaching about 98.5% of the population and one of the largest 5G footprints in the country. It is a strong all-rounder: excellent value in the cities, solid regional coverage and a big 5G network, sitting just behind Telstra on reach. Here is everything you need to know about Optus plans, coverage and customer service before you decide.
98.5%
population coverage
#2
largest AU network
87%+
on 5G
Own
network (not an MVNO)
Everything Optus
Explore Optus mobile
Jump straight to what you need: network and coverage, plans and pricing, contact details, reviews and how to sign up.
Coverage
Optus mobile network & coverage
Optus owns and operates its own network rather than leasing it, which is why it sits second only to Telstra on reach, with strong city coverage and a large 5G footprint. For most Australians it offers an excellent balance of coverage and price.
87%+
On 5G
Optus runs one of the largest 5G networks in the country, already available to more than 87% of the population on a compatible device and plan, with coverage still expanding.
Own
Network operator
Optus is one of three network operators in Australia. Resellers such as amaysim, Coles Mobile, Dodo and Moose Mobile run on the Optus network at lower prices.
Check before you sign up. Telstra still edges ahead in the most remote areas, so if you live or travel off the beaten track, check the Optus coverage map for your exact address first. If you want Optus coverage for less, compare its network resellers in our mobile providers guide.
The plans
Optus mobile plans explained
Optus keeps four plan families, all with no lock-in contract. Postpaid Choice SIM-only plans scale with your data allowance, while prepaid recharges start lower for lighter users and reward you with data banking when you recharge on time.
Choice Plus (entry)
60 GB
$60/mo
- Optus 5G included
- Unlimited standard national talk & text
- No lock-in contract
Choice Plus Medium
200 GB
$65/mo
- Optus 5G included
- Data sharing across the account
- No excess data charges
Choice Plus Large
400 GB
$85/mo
- Optus 5G included
- International talk inclusions
- No lock-in contract
Epic Value prepaid
60 GB
$180/yr
- 365-day expiry
- Data banking up to 50 GB
- Recharge in the app
Indicative pricing as of June 2026. Always check Optus for current plans and inclusions.
Good to know. All Optus mobile plans are no lock-in, so you can change or leave without an exit fee. Phones are sold separately from plans, so you can bring your own device or pay one off over 12, 24 or 36 months. If you exceed your full-speed data, Optus slows you to 1.5 Mbps rather than charging excess usage rates. For live pricing, always check Optus's current plan pages.
Add-ons
Add-ons, roaming & family options
Optus layers extras on top of any plan, from data banking to overseas roaming and multi-line family sharing, all managed in the My Optus app.
Data banking & rollover
On eligible prepaid recharges, unused data rolls over and banks up to a large cap, so a quiet month is not wasted when you recharge on time.
International roaming
Add roaming day passes or international inclusions to use your phone overseas: a daily fee covers calls, texts and a data allowance in eligible destinations.
Family & multi-line
Share data across eligible services on one account and bundle home internet so the whole household sits with one provider and one bill.
Get in touch
How to contact Optus
Optus uses one main number for most needs, plus dedicated lines for business and connections. The fastest channel for most queries is 24/7 messaging in the My Optus app.
| Reason | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General customer service | 133 937 | Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 9am–5pm |
| Business customers | 133 343 | Small business & enterprise |
| Prepaid recharge (from your phone) | Dial 555 | Free, from your Optus prepaid SIM |
| NBN & home internet install | 1300 300 427 | Connection & install support |
My Optus app & account
Manage your account 24/7: view and pay bills, track usage, recharge prepaid, manage add-ons and message support. Live chat and in-app messaging are available around the clock.
Bills, payments & complaints
Pay online, by direct debit or in person at any Optus store. Raise a complaint through the My Optus app, online or by calling 133 937. If it stays unresolved, you can escalate to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
#2
for coverage
Value+
metro & 5G
Mixed
phone support
Optus reviews: is Optus worth it?
Optus reviews are split. The network earns praise for metro value, fast 5G and competitive plans, and many customers see it as the sweet spot between Telstra's premium pricing and the budget resellers. Phone support drags the public scores down, with reports of long hold times, and some customers still remember the 2022 data breach and a 2023 outage. If you value strong coverage and 5G at a fairer price, Optus delivers.
"Great 5G speeds in the city for a lot less than I was paying before, and the app makes managing my plan easy." — Daniel R.
Joining Optus
How to sign up, activate & recharge
Getting started with Optus is quick, whether you are activating a new prepaid SIM or moving your existing number across.
New customers & activation
Choose a plan online, then activate your SIM at optus.com.au/activate using the SIM serial number on the back of the card and your ID. To keep your number, select "transfer existing number" and leave your old SIM in until the transfer completes, usually within a few hours.
Recharge & moving home
Recharge prepaid through the My Optus app, online, at an Optus store, by dialling 555 from your phone or via auto-recharge. Existing customers can move home with Optus directly in the app or online account.
Common questions
A Selectra expert answers your most common Optus questions
Optus runs Australia's second-largest mobile network, reaching about 98.5% of the population with 4G and 5G. Its 5G network is one of the largest in the country, available to more than 87% of Australians on a compatible device and plan. Coverage is excellent in the cities and strong across many regional areas, though Telstra still edges ahead in the most remote locations, so always check the Optus coverage map for your exact address before signing up.
Optus offers Choice (postpaid) SIM-only plans, prepaid recharges (including long-expiry Epic Value and flexible Flex options), device plans that let you pay off a phone separately, and mobile broadband data-only plans. All mobile plans are no lock-in contract, so you can change or leave without an exit fee.
Generally yes. Optus typically prices below Telstra for a similar data allowance while still running its own premium network, which is why it is a popular choice for value in the cities. You give up a little reach in the most remote areas, where Telstra leads, but for most metro and regional users Optus offers a strong balance of price, 5G and coverage.
MVNOs are smaller providers that lease capacity on the Optus network and resell it, often at lower prices and with simpler plans. Brands such as amaysim, Coles Mobile, Dodo, Moose Mobile, Southern Phone and SpinTel run on the Optus network, so they share the same coverage. If you want Optus coverage for less and do not need the full Optus feature set, comparing these resellers can save you money.
Call 133 937 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 9am–5pm) for general service, billing and mobile support, or message support 24/7 through the My Optus app. Business customers can call 133 343, and you can recharge prepaid by dialling 555 from your Optus phone.
Activate online at optus.com.au/activate using the SIM serial number on the back of the card plus your ID, then choose your plan and complete checkout. Recharge through the My Optus app, online, at any Optus store, by dialling 555 from your phone, or by setting up auto-recharge. Payments accept Visa, Mastercard and PayPal.
Yes. Optus Sport ceased operations on 1 August 2025, and the football content it carried (including the English Premier League) moved exclusively to Stan Sport. Former Optus Sport subscribers can continue watching there, so it is no longer a reason to choose Optus for your mobile plan.
Reviews are mixed. Customers consistently praise Optus for metro value, fast 5G and competitive plans, but public scores are dragged down by frustrations with phone support wait times and complaint resolution, and some remember the 2022 data breach and a 2023 network outage. In short, Optus rates well for value and 5G and lower for call-centre service.
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Independent comparison
Is Optus the best value for how you use your phone?
Optus offers great coverage and 5G at a fairer price than Telstra, but you may save even more on its network resellers. Compare Optus against the other major networks and the best-value MVNOs to find the plan that matches how you actually use your phone.