Boost vs Felix vs Aldi Mobile vs Amaysim vs OnePass Mobile Australia 2026: 5-Way MVNO Comparison

Australian mobile pricing bifurcated years ago. The three retail carriers (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone Australia) sit at A$55 to A$100 a month for the middle-tier SIM-only plan; the MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that lease capacity from those same three networks sit at A$15 to A$40 a month for functionally equivalent data on the same towers. The gap is not new. What is new in 2026 is the range of MVNO options that behave like actual product businesses rather than generic Optus-white-label resellers.

The five MVNOs on the shortlist below cover the three Australian networks and the four main product shapes: Boost Mobile (Telstra network, full retail coverage, wholly Telstra-owned since 2020), Felix (Vodafone network, TPG Telecom-owned, single flat-rate unlimited plan with soft speed cap), Aldi Mobile (Telstra wholesale network, Aldi Süd-owned, everyday-value default), Amaysim (Optus network, SingTel-owned parent), and OnePass Mobile (Optus network, Wesfarmers-owned, rebranded from Catch Connect in May 2025 as part of the OnePass loyalty consolidation across Kmart, Target Australia, Officeworks, and Catch.com.au).

Verdict up front

For an Australian mobile plan in 2026 on the MVNO shortlist:

• Best all-around Telstra-network MVNO: Boost Mobile for full retail Telstra coverage and mid-data plans.
• Best per-GB value: Aldi Mobile entry tier on Telstra wholesale for metro users, OnePass Mobile 365-day plan for heavy data users on Optus.
• Best unlimited plan: Felix Mobile at A$35 a month, soft-capped at 20 Mbps.
• Best Optus-network flexibility: Amaysim for month-to-month, OnePass Mobile for long-expiry.
• Best loyalty stack: OnePass Mobile if you already run OnePass across Kmart, Target Australia, Officeworks, and Catch.com.au.

Compare MVNO sign-ups and household telco spend at shopback.com.au. Two-minute signup, works via the Chrome extension or the ShopBack app in-app browser.

What ShopBack does on an MVNO switch

ShopBack is Australia's cashback platform, with more than 20 million members across 13 markets. For an MVNO sign-up, the mechanic is direct: sign up at shopback.com.au, click through from the ShopBack app or Chrome extension to the MVNO's Australian site, and complete checkout in the same session so the sale tracks. Cashback pending shows in a few days and confirms after the MVNO clears the sale (typically after the plan activates and the first billing cycle completes). Payout is to a linked Australian bank account. Cashback via ShopBack on eligible MVNO sign-ups at the current published rate on the ShopBack merchant page can offset the first month of the plan for many MVNOs, which turns a A$25 to A$40 first month into effective zero or single-digit cost. ShopBack Snaps, Australia's receipt-based cashback layer, is not relevant to online telco sign-ups; the click-through cashback rail is the whole game. Track the ShopBack merchant page for each MVNO before committing.

Networks: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and the MVNO map

Every Australian MVNO leases capacity from one of the three network operators. The MVNO map:

• Telstra network: Boost Mobile (full retail coverage), Belong (Telstra wholesale), Aldi Mobile (Telstra wholesale), Woolworths Mobile (Telstra wholesale). Deepest regional and remote coverage.
• Optus network: Amaysim, OnePass Mobile (formerly Catch Connect), Coles Mobile, Moose Mobile, Dodo. Strong metro and inter-city, weaker in remote WA, NT, and rural.
• Vodafone network: Felix Mobile, Kogan Mobile, TPG Mobile, Lebara. Metro and city corridors strong, weakest of the three in regional.

Note the wholesale vs retail distinction on Telstra: Boost is the only MVNO with full Telstra retail coverage. Other Telstra-network MVNOs (Belong, Aldi Mobile, Woolworths Mobile) access the wholesale slice of the network, which covers roughly 99 percent of the Australian metro population but a smaller regional and remote footprint than Telstra retail.

Use the ACMA outdoor coverage checker for your home suburb and regular travel routes before picking any MVNO.

Chain by chain

Boost Mobile (Telstra network, wholly Telstra-owned)

Boost Mobile is the only MVNO with full Telstra retail 4G and 5G coverage in Australia. Following Telstra's 2020 acquisition of the Australian Boost operation, Boost has retained the marketing differentiator of "full Telstra network." Plans price at A$20 to A$50 a month for 20 to 300 GB depending on the tier; longer-expiry 12-month plans price at roughly A$300 to A$400 for 240 to 400 GB total annual data.

Where Boost wins: regional and remote Australia where Telstra retail coverage extends further than any wholesale MVNO, mid-data monthly plans, and inclusive international minutes to selected destinations. Boost is often the choice for tradies working across greater Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and the regional corridors between.

Where Boost loses: not the absolute cheapest per-GB in metro-only use cases where wholesale-network MVNOs match the coverage.

Sign-up cashback via ShopBack on Boost Mobile applies at the current published rate on the ShopBack merchant page.

Felix Mobile (Vodafone network, TPG-owned)

Felix runs a single flat-rate plan at A$35 a month for unlimited data on the Vodafone network with a soft speed cap. In 2026 the speed cap sits at 20 Mbps on 4G and 5G, which is sufficient for HD streaming, video calls, general browsing, and app updates but not 4K streaming or large file downloads at speed.

The unusual thing about Felix is the eco positioning: TPG plants trees against Felix subscriber counts and markets the plan as the carbon-conscious mobile choice. The product simplicity (one plan, one price, no upsells) is the actual sell for most subscribers.

Where Felix wins: heavy data users (40 GB or more a month) who value the unlimited allocation, plan simplicity, and the Vodafone network in metro. Felix is typically the cheapest per-effective-GB option for high-consumption users in Australia.

Where Felix loses: the soft speed cap makes it a poor fit for anyone who does regular large file downloads, high-res video work, or hotspot-heavy remote work at speed. Regional coverage is Vodafone-tier.

Sign-up cashback via ShopBack on Felix at the current published rate on the ShopBack merchant page.

ShopBack callout 1

MVNO sign-up bonuses regularly appear on ShopBack as first-month or fixed-dollar cashback offers. Bundle the family or household switch onto a single session: activate on the ShopBack app, click through to each MVNO in turn, and complete each sign-up. Verify current published rates on Boost via ShopBack, Felix via ShopBack, Aldi Mobile via ShopBack, Amaysim via ShopBack, and OnePass Mobile via ShopBack before you commit. Cashback confirms after plan activation.

Aldi Mobile (Telstra wholesale network, Aldi Süd-owned)

Aldi Mobile runs on the Telstra wholesale network with no lock-in contracts. Entry-tier 30-day plans price around A$15 for 10 to 15 GB; higher-tier 30-day plans at A$25 to A$40 for 40 to 100 GB. Long-expiry 365-day plans at A$219 to A$319 for 240 to 400 GB total.

Where Aldi Mobile wins: everyday-value default for metro Australians on the Telstra wholesale coverage, no lock-in flexibility, and consistent per-GB pricing across plan tiers. The Aldi retail brand association (private-label price positioning) carries over: no gimmicks, no upsells, just cheap plans that work.

Where Aldi Mobile loses: Aldi Mobile does not offer eSIM natively in the same seamless flow as Telstra retail (verify current eSIM support), and the lack of a bundled international roaming option beyond pay-as-you-go rates is limiting for frequent travellers.

Sign-up cashback via ShopBack on Aldi Mobile at the current published rate on the ShopBack merchant page.

Amaysim (Optus network, SingTel-owned parent)

Amaysim runs on the Optus network with month-to-month and long-expiry plans. Entry 28-day plans at A$10 to A$15 for 10 to 20 GB; mid-tier plans at A$25 to A$35 for 50 to 100 GB. Amaysim was one of the earliest Australian MVNOs (founded 2010, acquired by Optus parent SingTel in 2021), and the plans remain among the best-priced on the Optus network.

Where Amaysim wins: Optus-network flexibility for metro Australians, competitive per-GB across plan tiers, and long-expiry options for low-usage lines (kids' first phone, backup line, elderly parent).

Where Amaysim loses: Optus network coverage in regional WA, NT, and rural Victoria is weaker than Telstra-network MVNOs.

Sign-up cashback via ShopBack on Amaysim at the current published rate on the ShopBack merchant page.

OnePass Mobile (Optus network, Wesfarmers-owned, rebranded from Catch Connect May 2025)

OnePass Mobile is the rebranded successor to Catch Connect, migrated across in May 2025 as part of Wesfarmers' OnePass paid subscription consolidation. OnePass paid subscribers (A$4 to A$5 a month or annual equivalent) get preferential OnePass Mobile plan pricing plus free delivery at Kmart Australia, Target Australia, Officeworks, and Catch.com.au.

OnePass Mobile continues the Catch Connect legacy of aggressive long-expiry pricing: 180-day and 365-day plans price competitively on the Optus network. The 365-day plan typically prices at A$180 to A$220 for 200 to 300 GB total annual data, or roughly A$15 to A$18 per equivalent month.

Where OnePass Mobile wins: households already paying for OnePass and shopping across the Wesfarmers retail portfolio, low-usage lines that benefit from long expiry, and the loyalty-stack integration with Kmart, Target Australia, Officeworks, and Catch.

Where OnePass Mobile loses: standalone comparison against Amaysim on the same Optus network is close; the OnePass stack is the differentiator, not the raw plan pricing.

Sign-up cashback via ShopBack on OnePass Mobile at the current published rate on the ShopBack merchant page.

ShopBack callout 2

OnePass Mobile pairs with the wider Wesfarmers retail portfolio, most of which appears on ShopBack. Once your OnePass Mobile plan is active, stack cashback via ShopBack on the Wesfarmers group where eligible: Kmart via ShopBack, Target via ShopBack, Officeworks via ShopBack, and Catch.com.au where listed. Verify current published rates on each merchant page.

5-way comparison table (mid-2026 indicative)

MVNO	Network	Owner	Entry plan (30-day)	Heavy plan	Best for
Boost Mobile	Telstra retail	Telstra	A$20 to A$25 for 20 to 40 GB	A$50 for 300 GB or 12-month tier	Regional coverage, mid-data
Felix Mobile	Vodafone	TPG Telecom	A$35 for unlimited (20 Mbps cap)	Same plan	Heavy data metro users
Aldi Mobile	Telstra wholesale	Aldi Süd	A$15 for 10 to 15 GB	A$40 for 100 GB	Metro everyday value
Amaysim	Optus	SingTel	A$10 to A$15 for 10 to 20 GB	A$35 for 100 GB	Optus metro flexibility
OnePass Mobile	Optus	Wesfarmers	A$18 to A$25 for 30 to 60 GB (member pricing)	A$180 to A$220 for 365-day 200 to 300 GB	OnePass loyalty stack, low-usage lines

Plan pricing changes frequently. Verify on each MVNO's site before signing.

Coverage: match the network to where you actually live and travel

The single most common MVNO switching mistake is picking on price without checking network coverage against your home suburb, regular travel routes, and workplace. The heuristic:

• Metro Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide only: All three networks work. Pick on plan price and data allocation.
• Regional NSW, Victoria, SA within 100km of a major city: Telstra and Optus networks both work; Vodafone weaker.
• Regional WA, NT, QLD north of Rockhampton, remote areas, mining sites, national parks: Telstra network only. Boost Mobile is the only sub-A$30 MVNO with full retail Telstra coverage.
• Frequent driver on the Hume, Pacific, Bruce, or Newell Highway: Telstra network preferred; Optus workable; Vodafone patchy.

Use the ACMA outdoor coverage checker at acma.gov.au to verify your specific suburb before switching. Cashback via ShopBack on the eligible MVNO sign-up at the current published rate does not compensate for a coverage mismatch, so the coverage check has to come first.

ShopBack callout 3

MVNO switching often bundles with device upgrade timing. If you are moving to a new plan alongside an iPhone 18, Samsung Galaxy S26, or Pixel 11 upgrade, run the device purchase through ShopBack on the retailer of choice: JB Hi-Fi via ShopBack, Amazon Australia via ShopBack, or Officeworks via ShopBack. Cashback via ShopBack applies at the current published rate on each merchant page. See the ShopBack Australia iPhone 18 total cost comparison for the retailer-side math.

Porting your number and switching workflow

Number porting between Australian mobile carriers typically completes in 2 to 4 hours during business hours. Steps:

1. Sign up for the new MVNO plan (via the app or web, activate cashback via ShopBack first).
2. Receive the new SIM (or eSIM QR code) by mail or immediately for eSIM.
3. During activation, choose "port an existing number" and enter your current mobile number, current provider account number, and account verification detail.
4. Wait for the SMS confirmation of port completion. Do not cancel your old plan during this window.
5. Once the port completes and the new SIM is active, the old service is automatically closed by the port process.

If the port stalls beyond 48 hours, contact the new MVNO first, then the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman if unresolved. Total elapsed time end-to-end for a well-executed port is typically under 24 hours from sign-up to active service on the new MVNO. Cashback via ShopBack confirms after the first billing cycle completes.

Household cost math: switching four lines

For a family of four moving from Telstra or Optus postpaid at A$70 a month per line to MVNOs at A$25 a month per line:

• Monthly saving: A$180 per month across four lines.
• Annual saving: A$2,160.
• First-month cashback via ShopBack (across four MVNO sign-ups at typical published rates): can offset A$40 to A$120 of switching cost depending on the current rate on each merchant page.

Total first-year saving including cashback: roughly A$2,200 to A$2,280 for a family of four running the switch. That is real household money.

ShopBack callout 4

Once the MVNO switch is done, keep ShopBack active across the household spend that funded the postpaid habit: bulk buys at Amazon Australia via ShopBack, Chemist Warehouse via ShopBack, and Big W via ShopBack. Sign up at shopback.com.au if you have not yet; the app makes activation a two-tap step before every online household order.

Verdict by persona

The metro-only single line, moderate data (10 to 40 GB): Aldi Mobile entry tier on Telstra wholesale, or Amaysim on Optus. Both cheapest per-GB in that band.

The heavy metro data user (40 GB or more): Felix Mobile at A$35 a month unlimited with the 20 Mbps soft cap. Nothing else comes close per effective GB.

The regional or remote user: Boost Mobile for full Telstra retail coverage. Aldi Mobile as backup if you are within Telstra wholesale reach.

The OnePass household: OnePass Mobile 365-day plan for the lower-usage lines (kids, elderly parent, backup) and stack with the OnePass paid subscription across Kmart, Target Australia, Officeworks, and Catch.

The family of four running total household cost math: Switch all four to matching MVNOs, A$1,800 to A$2,800 annual saving. Cashback via ShopBack on all four sign-ups at the current published rate.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What is the cheapest MVNO mobile plan in Australia in 2026?

Cheapest on the pure per-GB metric depends on data use. Aldi Mobile at the entry tier sits around A$15 for a 30-day plan with 10 to 15 GB on Telstra wholesale. OnePass Mobile (rebranded from Catch Connect in May 2025, Wesfarmers-owned, Optus network) prices its 365-day plan aggressively; the per-month equivalent drops below A$18 depending on the intake. Felix Mobile at A$35 a month for unlimited data with a soft speed cap wins for anyone using 25 GB or more a month. Compare the current plan on each MVNO's page and check cashback via ShopBack on any eligible sign-up at the current published rate on the ShopBack merchant page.

Q: What happened to Catch Connect in Australia?

Catch Connect was rebranded to OnePass Mobile in May 2025 as part of Wesfarmers' consolidation of the OnePass paid subscription across Kmart Australia, Target Australia, Officeworks, and Catch.com.au. OnePass Mobile runs on the Optus network (same as Catch Connect did) and continues to offer the long-expiry 180-day and 365-day plans that Catch Connect was known for. Existing Catch Connect customers were migrated to OnePass Mobile plans during 2025. The main change beyond branding is tighter integration with the OnePass loyalty ecosystem.

Q: Is Felix Mobile unlimited data actually unlimited in Australia?

Felix Mobile offers a single flat-rate plan at A$35 a month for unlimited data on the Vodafone network with a soft speed cap. In 2026 the speed cap sits at 20 Mbps on 4G and 5G, which is enough for HD video streaming, video calls, general browsing, and app updates. It is not enough for 4K streaming or large file downloads at speed. Unlimited means no data throttle at the plan level, not unlimited speed. If you consistently use 40 GB or more a month and speed is a secondary concern, Felix is typically the cheapest per-effective-GB option in Australia.

Q: Does Boost Mobile give me the same coverage as Telstra in Australia?

Yes, Boost Mobile is the only MVNO in Australia that accesses the full Telstra retail 4G and 5G network (not just the wholesale slice available to other Telstra-network MVNOs like Belong or Aldi Mobile). Boost is now wholly owned by Telstra following the 2020 acquisition. In regional and remote Australia where Telstra retail coverage extends further than the wholesale footprint, Boost is the only sub-A$30 plan that reliably matches Telstra retail reach. Boost plans typically price at A$20 to A$50 a month depending on data allocation.

Q: How much can I save switching from Telstra or Optus postpaid to an MVNO in Australia?

Typical Telstra or Optus postpaid SIM-only plan sits at A$60 to A$90 a month for 60 to 100 GB. The equivalent MVNO plan on the same network (Boost or Aldi Mobile on Telstra, Amaysim or OnePass Mobile on Optus, Felix on Vodafone) sits at A$20 to A$40 a month for similar or more data. Annual saving on switching is A$240 to A$700 per line. On a family of four moving all four lines to MVNOs, annual saving lands A$960 to A$2,800. Cashback via ShopBack on eligible MVNO sign-ups at the current published rate can offset the first month for many plans.

Q: Which MVNO has the best regional Australian coverage?

Telstra-network MVNOs (Boost, Aldi Mobile, Belong, Woolworths Mobile) win on regional coverage because Telstra's regional infrastructure is deepest. Optus-network MVNOs (Amaysim, OnePass Mobile, Coles Mobile) cover most metro and inter-city corridors well but weaker in remote WA, NT, QLD, and rural Victoria. Vodafone-network MVNOs (Felix, Kogan Mobile) match Optus roughly on metro, weaker outside. If you regularly travel outside major highways, choose a Telstra-network MVNO.

Q: How long does it take to port my mobile number to a new MVNO in Australia?

Number porting typically completes within 2 to 4 hours during business hours and within 24 hours outside business hours. The ACMA mandates the porting process. You keep your existing number; the new MVNO handles the port when you activate the new SIM. Do not cancel your current plan until the port completes. Have your current mobile number, account number, and account verification detail on hand when you activate. If the port stalls beyond 48 hours, contact the new MVNO first, then the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.

Q: Which Australian MVNOs support eSIM in 2026?

All five MVNOs covered here support eSIM activation on compatible iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel devices as of mid-2026. Boost Mobile, Felix, Aldi Mobile, Amaysim, and OnePass Mobile all offer QR-code eSIM activation via their apps or account portals. eSIM removes the physical SIM swap and speeds up porting. Some older devices (iPhone SE 2 and earlier, older Samsung mid-range) still require a physical SIM. Cashback via ShopBack applies to eSIM activations at the current published rate on the merchant page.

Q: Is the OnePass Mobile plan worth it if I already pay for OnePass?

If you already run a household on OnePass and shop at Kmart Australia, Target Australia, Officeworks, and Catch.com.au regularly, the marginal cost of adding OnePass Mobile lines drops materially. OnePass member pricing on OnePass Mobile plans is preferential. If you do not use OnePass for retail, the plan is priced comparably to Amaysim on the same Optus network without the loyalty stack. Verify current OnePass member pricing on onepassmobile.com.au and cashback via ShopBack on the eligible sign-up at the current published rate.

Q: What is the biggest mistake when switching to an MVNO in Australia in 2026?

The biggest mistake is choosing an MVNO on the cheapest headline price without checking the network match to where you actually live and travel. A A$15 Amaysim plan on Optus is not cheap if you regularly travel through regional Victoria or WA where Optus coverage drops out. Check the network (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone) that the MVNO uses, cross-reference the ACMA outdoor coverage checker for your home suburb and regular travel routes, then pick within the plans on that network. Cashback via ShopBack on the eligible sign-up at the current published rate does not compensate for a coverage mismatch.

Ready to switch

Start with cashback active at your chosen MVNO before you click through:

• Boost Mobile via ShopBack
• Felix Mobile via ShopBack
• Aldi Mobile via ShopBack
• Amaysim via ShopBack
• OnePass Mobile via ShopBack

Not a ShopBack member yet? Sign up free at shopback.com.au. Pin the app to your phone home screen so activation is a two-tap step before every mobile plan sign-up.

About this article

As of 2026-09-08, MVNO plan pricing, data allocations, network coverage, and cashback rates change frequently. Verify current pricing on each MVNO's Australian site and cashback rate on the merchant's ShopBack page before switching. OnePass Mobile is the rebranded successor to Catch Connect, migrated in May 2025 by Wesfarmers. ShopBack receives a commission when readers complete purchases through a cashback link. This commission does not vary by editorial coverage.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are for general informational purposes only. This is not professional financial or telecommunications advice.