365 Day Prepaid Mobile Plans

Compare a range of 365-day prepaid mobile phone plans with Savvy today.

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, updated on October 26th, 2023       

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We’ve partnered with Econnex to bring you a range of mobile phone plans to help you compare them.

365-day prepaid mobile plans can be a great way to save money on your mobile bill and have more control over your spending. By paying for an entire year of service upfront, you don't have to worry about monthly bills but still get the data, minutes and texts you need.

If you are looking for an annual prepaid mobile plan, you can compare options with Savvy today. Our online comparison service allows you to compare quotes from multiple providers in one place, helping you find a plan that suits your needs. Get started with a free, no-obligation quote today.

What is a 365-day prepaid mobile phone plan?

A 365-day prepaid mobile plan is a type of mobile phone plan that you pay for upfront and lasts for 365 days (a year). This means you pay for a set amount of data, calls and texts before you use them, in one lump sum. You can then use your allowance as suits you over the course of the 12-month term. This type of plan is often cheaper than paying monthly, though data allowance and features may be more limited. Long-expiry prepaid mobile plans like this can be a good option for people who:

  • Are not heavy mobile phone users and can control their data usage.
  • Want to avoid monthly bills.
  • Want more control over their spending.
  • Don’t want to be locked into a contract.
  • Use their phone intermittently, as it allows you to stay connected without having to worry about topping up or losing data or service.
  • Are on a tight annual budget – though keep in mind you will need to pay for the whole year in full at the start of the plan.

Here’s an example of how a 365-day mobile phone plan works:

Mary is a 65-year-old retiree on a limited budget who uses her phone to stay connected with her friends and family in Australia, check email and browse the internet. She needs a mobile plan that is affordable and easy to use while providing the features that she needs. Mary chooses an annual prepaid mobile plan with 100GB of data and unlimited talk and text for $150. This gives her:

  • Peace of mind knowing that her mobile plan is paid for a whole year.
  • The flexibility to use her data as she needs it.
  • Savings on her mobile bill, as she is able to take advantage of the discounted price of a 365-day plan.

What features are available on 365-day prepaid mobile plans?

Depending on your plan and provider, 365-day prepaid mobile plans can offer a variety of features, including:

  • Unlimited talk and text: many 365-day prepaid plans offer unlimited talk and text within Australia, so you can make as many calls and send as many texts as you want without having to worry about running out of credit.
  • Data allowance: 365-day prepaid plans typically come with a set data allowance, which can be up to 500GB. The amount of data you need will depend on how you use your phone.
  • International calls and texts: some plans include a set amount of minutes and messages to overseas numbers – though this may be limited to particular zones.    
  • Data rollover: some 365-day prepaid plans offer data rollover, which means that any unused data can be carried over when you renew. This can be helpful if you don't use all of your data in the allotted period.
  • International roaming: some 365-day prepaid plans include international roaming or offer it as an add on, so you can use your phone to make calls, send texts and access the Internet while in other countries. 

What should I consider when choosing a 365-day prepaid mobile plan?

When choosing a 365-day prepaid mobile plan, it is important to consider your individual needs and preferences. Here are some of the key things to think about:

  • Coverage: depending on where you are in Australia, especially in certain rural areas, mobile reception can be patchy. If this is a concern, choose the provider that offers the widest coverage so you can count on reliable reception everywhere you go.
  • Plan length: decide if you are willing to commit to a 365-day plan. While you can set and forget with a long-term plan, you may lose any unused money if you cancel early.
  • Data: choose a data limit that meets your needs. If you’re not sure how much data you use, add a few extra gigabytes to your estimate. You don't want to run out of data in the middle of your plan.
  • Features: choose a plan that offers the features that are important to you, such as unlimited talk and text, international roaming and data rollover. 
  • Provider: choose a provider with a good reputation for customer service and security that can provide network coverage in the areas where you live, work and travel.

Pros and cons of 365-day prepaid mobile plans

PROS

Value for money

365-day prepaid mobile plans are often cheaper than monthly plans.

Convenience

You can pay for your mobile service upfront and forget about it for the rest of the year, without having to worry about frequent top ups.

Flexibility

You can generally use your data, call and text allowance as you need it.

Control

You have control over your mobile spending. You can choose a plan that fits your budget and usage needs, and are not tied into a contract.

CONS

High upfront costs

You generally need to pay for the entire plan upfront, which can be a significant amount.

Limited features

Some prepaid plans may not include features such as international calling and roaming.

Data rationing

You will need to keep an eye on your data to ensure you don’t exceed your limits and need to recharge early.

No refunds

If you cancel your plan early, you may not receive a refund for any unused service.

Top tips for saving money on your 365-day prepaid mobile plan

Pay for what you need

Don’t pay for features you won’t use. For example, if you don't need international roaming, choose a plan that doesn't include it.

Use data-saving features

Most phones have data-saving features that can help you reduce your data usage. For example, you can turn off background data usage for apps that you don’t use often.

Look for promotions and discounts

Many providers offer promotions and discounts on prepaid plans, such as money off for signing up online.

Use Wi-Fi

Whenever possible, connect to Wi-Fi networks to conserve your mobile data. This is especially useful for activities like streaming videos or downloading large files.

Monitor your usage

Keep an eye on your data, talk and text usage to help you stay within your plan’s limits and avoid additional costs.

Compare plans

Shop around and compare plans from different providers to see if you can find a better deal. If you are looking for a 365-day prepaid mobile plan, you can compare your options online with Savvy today.   

Frequently asked questions about 365-day prepaid mobile plans

What is the difference between a prepaid plan and a postpaid plan?

A prepaid mobile plan is a type of mobile phone plan where you pay for your service upfront. This means that you pay for your data, calls and texts before you use them.

A postpaid mobile plan is a type of mobile phone plan where you pay for your service at the end of the month. This means that you use your data, calls and texts first, and then you pay for them at the end of the month. Post-paid plans typically have more features than prepaid plans, but they can also be more expensive.

What happens if I run out of data on my 365-day prepaid mobile plan?

If you run out of data on your 365-day prepaid mobile plan, you will need to top up your account to purchase more data. You can generally do this online, over the phone or in-store.

What happens if I don't use all of my data on my 365-day prepaid mobile plan?

This depends on your provider and plan. On many 365-day prepaid mobile plans, the unused data will expire at the end of your contract period. However, some providers may offer data rollover for any leftover data. It is important to check the terms and conditions of your plan to understand if your data can be banked.

Can I get unlimited data on a 365-day prepaid mobile plan?

No – while some prepaid plans offer generous data allowances, unlimited data is not currently available on any 365-day plans.

Can I cancel my 365-day prepaid mobile plan?

While you can generally cancel your prepaid mobile plan before the end of the term, you may not be eligible for a refund if you choose to cancel the plan early. The details will be laid out in the plan’s terms and conditions. It’s essential to carefully consider your needs and usage patterns before committing to a long-term prepaid plan.

Are there any other long-expiry mobile plans?

Yes – while most prepaid plans are valid for about a month, between 28 and 30 days, and some for even less, longer term plans are also available. As well as 12-month prepaid mobile plans, many providers also offer plans with expiry periods of 90 days and 180 days.

Disclaimer:

Savvy is partnered with Econnex Comparison (CIMET Sales Pty Ltd, ABN 72 620 395 726) to provide readers with a variety of mobile phone plans to compare. We do not compare all retailers in the market, or all plans offered by all retailers. Savvy earns a commission from Econnex each time a customer buys a mobile phone plan via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased directly, as all purchases are conducted via Econnex.

Any advice presented above is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing a mobile phone plan. For further information on the variety of mobile phone plans compared by Econnex, or how their business works, you can visit their website.