In news that is both ridiculous and unsurprising, Australian telecommunications darling Telstra has announced that it will be increasing the prices of its postpaid and prepaid plans from May 5, 2026.
Most postpaid plans will increase by AU$4 per month, while prepaid plans can expect an increase of AU$5 per month.
This is the second price increase in less than 12 months, with the previous one occurring in July 2025, when most plans increased by around AU$5 per month. Telstra’s NBN plans have also been affected by previous price increases, but as it stands, they are unaffected this time around.
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|
Plan name |
Data inclusion |
Current price |
New price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Basic |
50 GB |
AU$70 |
AU$74 |
|
Essential |
180 GB |
AU$80 |
AU$84 |
|
Prime |
300 GB |
AU$99 |
AU$99 |
|
Mobile plan |
25 GB |
AU$57 |
AU$61 |
As you’ll see, the Premium plan isn’t affected by the price increase, but elsewhere there are increases of up to AU$4 per month.
In the case of prepaid plans, increases vary depending on the length of the plan. Telstra’s six and twelve month plans, for example, increase by AU$20 and AU$45 respectively. However, as a small gesture of goodwill, Telstra is increasing the amount of data included in these plans. The full range of prepaid plans with new prices is as follows:
|
Plan name |
Current data |
Current price |
New data |
New price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 days |
3 GB |
AU$13 |
4GB |
AU$15 |
|
28 days |
15 GB |
AU$39 |
20 GB |
AU$44 |
|
28 days |
25 GB |
AU$49 |
35 GB |
AU$54 |
|
28 days |
35 GB |
AU$59 |
45 GB |
AU$64 |
|
28 days |
70 GB |
AU$69 |
80 GB |
AU$74 |
|
6 months |
70 GB |
AU$180 |
80 GB |
AU$200 |
|
12 months |
165 GB |
AU$350 |
180 GB |
AU$395 |
As is typically the case with any price increases on any service, Telstra says they are necessary to contribute to “continued investment in our mobile network infrastructure, enabling innovation and the deployment of new features that expand connectivity options for customers”. The telco is touting its satellite-to-mobile messaging rollout – which could prove invaluable to customers beyond the reach of Telstra’s mobile network – as a prime example of this innovation.
Is it time for a change?
If you’re a Telstra customer and think these price increases are a bit of a slap in the face, then the good news is that you can still access much of the telco’s extensive network coverage while paying a lot less.
Whether you prefer a postpaid or prepaid plan, several options are available from smaller telecommunications companies, called MVNOs, that use what’s known as the wholesale network. You can check out our guide to the best mobile plans on the Telstra network for more information.
This is technically different from the full mainline network enjoyed by direct Telstra customers. The main differences tend to be a cap on the download speed you can achieve – usually between 100 Mbps and 250 Mbps – and they offer a little less network coverage. However, only people living in extremely remote parts of Australia would be affected by this change.
For everyone else, there’s plenty of value to be found and money to be saved by switching to another provider, and I’ve selected my three favorites below. Alternatively, if you want to consider changing networks, be sure to check out my guide to the best SIM only plans.
