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There is no special category of "seniors" mobile plan in Australia; the right plan for an older person is the one that fits how they use their phone. For many, that is a prepaid plan with long expiry or a small monthly SIM-only plan, on a network with good coverage where they live. Some providers offer concession discounts: Telstra, for example, takes 10% off selected Upfront Mobile Plans for eligible health care, pensioner concession and DVA Gold card holders.
Two things matter more than the plan for many older people. The phone must be able to call 000 on today's 4G network, because all three networks have closed 3G and older phones may not work. And the service should be set up to resist scams, which often target older Australians. This page covers concessions, choosing a plan, choosing a phone, and help with costs.
By Better Rate Mate Editorial Team ยท Last reviewed
Telstra's concession offer gives 10% off the monthly plan fee on selected Upfront Mobile Plans for customers with an eligible health care card, pensioner concession card or Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold card, applied after other compatible discounts. You validate the card through My Telstra. Telstra also lists a complimentary six-month Pre-Paid recharge with 70GB of data for eligible customers under its Access for Everyone program.
Other providers may offer concession pricing or discounts from time to time. Ask directly, and ask what proof they need. Separately, Services Australia pays a Telephone Allowance, a quarterly payment to help with phone and internet costs, to people receiving certain payments; check its list of qualifying payments, because not every pension or allowance qualifies.
| Help | Who offers it | Who may qualify | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% off selected Upfront Mobile Plans | Telstra | Eligible health care, pensioner concession or DVA Gold card holders | Validate the card in My Telstra or with Telstra |
| Complimentary six-month Pre-Paid recharge (70GB) | Telstra, Access for Everyone | Eligible customers; see Telstra's page | Via Telstra's Access for Everyone page |
| Telephone Allowance (quarterly payment) | Services Australia | People on certain payments with a phone in their or their partner's name | Paid automatically if eligible; check Services Australia's list |
| Financial hardship assistance | Every provider | Anyone struggling to pay | Ask for the provider's payment assistance policy |
Start with how the phone is actually used:
Vodafone closed its 3G network in January 2024, and Telstra and Optus closed theirs in November 2024. Any phone now needs 4G with Voice over LTE to make calls, and some 4G phones still could not reach 000 because they relied on 3G for emergency calls. Older basic and flip phones bought several years ago are the most likely to be affected.
ACMA rules require providers to identify phones that cannot reach 000, notify the customer, and then stop service: for a phone identified now, notice within five business days, two further notices, and disconnection 28 to 35 days after the first notice. To check a phone, text 3 to 3498 for free. If you receive a notice, do not ignore it; ask the provider about low-cost or free replacement phones, which the rules require them to give information about.
Any phone bought now should be a current 4G or 5G model that supports VoLTE on the network you choose. Simpler phones, including large-button and flip phones, are still sold; check they are listed as compatible with the network before buying. Features worth looking for include a loud speaker, hearing-aid compatibility, a physical emergency button that can call or text family, and a long battery life.
Buying the phone outright and choosing a SIM-only or prepaid plan keeps costs clear and avoids a repayment contract. If a phone on a plan is preferred, remember the ACCC's point that the handset balance must be paid off before leaving the provider.
Mobile numbers are a key to bank accounts, which makes them a target:
Every provider must publish a payment assistance policy and offer at least six kinds of help, such as deferring payment or a payment plan, under the Financial Hardship Standard 2024, and must treat disconnection as a last resort with at least 10 working days' notice. If a problem with a provider is not resolved, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is free.
Telstra does not sell a separate seniors plan, but it gives 10% off selected Upfront Mobile Plans to eligible health care, pensioner concession and DVA Gold card holders, applied to the monthly plan fee.
Some providers offer concession discounts. Telstra's is 10% off selected Upfront Mobile Plans for eligible concession card holders. Ask other providers directly, as offers change.
A long-expiry prepaid plan often suits, because one recharge covers up to a year and there is no bill. Choose the network with good coverage where they live, and check the phone can call 000.
Only if it supports 4G Voice over LTE and can reach 000 on today's networks, because 3G has closed. Text 3 to 3498 for a free check.
A quarterly payment from Services Australia to help with phone and internet costs, for people receiving certain payments who have a phone in their or their partner's name. Services Australia lists which payments qualify.
This page does not quote plan prices, which change every few weeks. The Critical Information Summary for any plan has the current price, the minimum term and what is included.
