2026-04-20
You have just landed at Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. Your flight was long, your bags are heavy, and the first thing you need to do is message your emergency contact, pull up the hostel address, and figure out how to get from the airport to the city. None of that works without data.
Most working holiday makers buy a SIM at the airport. It is expensive, the queues are long, and you end up locked into a plan you did not research. There is a better way: set up an eSIM before you even board your flight.
This guide covers everything you need to know about using an eSIM for your Australian working holiday — from why to skip the airport SIM, to which plan to buy for your first two weeks.
Airport SIM cards are not a scam, but they are not a good deal either. Here is what you actually get:
An eSIM sidesteps all of this. You install it on your phone before departure, activate it the moment your plane touches down, and you have data before you reach the baggage carousel.
Your first week in Australia is not a holiday — it is admin sprint. Every key task on the working holiday checklist requires mobile data:
Your starting budget when you land should ideally be AUD $3,000–$5,000 to cover accommodation, food, and setup costs while you find work. Burning even a small portion of that on an overpriced airport SIM is easy to avoid.
Australia has three major mobile carriers: Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. Here is what their prepaid plans look like as of April 2026 — and how eSIM Story compares for the first two weeks of your working holiday:
Telstra has the best network coverage in Australia — critical if you plan to work in regional areas or travel outside major cities. Their prepaid 28-day plans are increasing from May 2026: the entry plan goes from AUD $39 to $44, mid-tier from $49 to $54. Great network, but you are paying for it.
Optus is the default pick for most backpackers in cities. Their prepaid plans start from AUD $20.50 for 60 GB on 4G. At the airport, that same plan is around $25. Standard prepaid plan prices are holding steady in 2026 — postpaid customers are seeing $5/month increases, but prepaid is currently exempt.
Vodafone raised most of its prepaid plans by $5 per recharge from April 15, 2026. The entry-level 7-day Prepaid Plus plan now starts at $13 for 5 GB. Their network is solid in cities but thins out in rural areas — worth keeping in mind if your working holiday takes you regional.
Plans tailored for your first weeks:
1 GB / 7 days — AUD 17.73 · Maps, messaging, job apps
2 GB / 7 days — AUD 26.57 · Video calls + heavy use
1 GB / 14 days — AUD 32.67 · If local SIM setup takes longer
2 GB / 14 days — AUD 43.56 · Regional work or data-heavy use
The key difference from competitors: you pick the exact days and data you need. Heading to Australia for 10 days? Buy 10 days. Only need 1 GB? Buy 1 GB. No locked-in bundles.
Most phones bought in the last four to five years support eSIM, but there are a few things to check before you buy. For the full model list and the mainland-China exception, see our eSIM compatibility guide.
eSIM is supported on iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and all newer models (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 series). iPhones 13 and newer can store up to 8 eSIM profiles and run 2 simultaneously — handy if you want to keep your home number active.
Important exception: iPhones sold in mainland China do not support eSIM. If you bought your phone there, check before your trip.
Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer (S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, S25), Z Fold and Z Flip series all support eSIM. Google Pixel 3 and newer also work. Most flagship Android phones released since 2020 are eSIM compatible.
If your phone is locked to a carrier in your home country, it will not accept a foreign eSIM. Check with your carrier before you leave — most will unlock your phone for free if your contract is complete.
Setup takes about five minutes and you do it at home, not at an airport kiosk. Our step-by-step install guide shows every screen if you get stuck:
Tip: install the eSIM while you still have Wi-Fi at home. eSIM profiles are downloaded over an internet connection, so doing this on your home broadband avoids any airport Wi-Fi hassle.
The goal of your eSIM is to cover you from landing day until you have your Australian SIM sorted — typically 5 to 14 days. Here is what to look for:
Browse Australia eSIM plans on eSIM Story and filter by days and data amount. Plans are flexible — you pick the exact combination you want.
Australia has two working holiday visa types. Subclass 417 (the most common) is open to citizens of countries including the UK, Germany, France, Ireland, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Netherlands, Italy, and others, generally aged 18–30 (up to 35 for some nationalities including UK, Canada, France, Ireland, and Italy).
Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) covers a different set of countries including USA, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and others, typically for ages 18–30 with some additional requirements.
If you are eligible, you can work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months, with extensions possible through specified regional work. Check the Australian government immigration website (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) for the current list and requirements.
Yes. On iPhone 13 and newer (and many Android devices), you can have both your home SIM and the eSIM active at the same time. Set eSIM Story as your data SIM, and your home SIM stays active for calls and texts. Your home number works normally over Wi-Fi calling even if it has no signal. Check with your home carrier about roaming call charges before you leave.
You can — and should — install the eSIM at home before you fly. The QR code you receive by email is valid for 180 days from purchase. Scan it, install the profile, and it sits on your phone dormant until you activate it in Australia. Nothing starts until you switch it on.
You can purchase a second eSIM plan. eSIM Story plans are designed to be flexible — you are not locked in. If your first week runs long, buy another 3–7 day plan. Once you have an Australian SIM from Optus or Telstra, you can just switch to that for your long-term coverage. And when you take a trip out of Australia — Japan is a favourite for working holiday makers — our Japan eSIM guide covers exactly what to buy.
Your first week on a working holiday in Australia is full of things that need mobile data: bank setup, job applications, accommodation, TFN, navigation. An airport SIM solves that problem but costs more and takes longer than it should.
An eSIM from eSIM Story gives you data from the moment you land, at a price that makes sense for a short bridging period. Buy it before you leave, install it at home, and you are done. When you have sorted your Australian SIM — usually within the first week or two — just switch over.
Get your Australia eSIM at esimstory.com — pick your days, pick your data, done.