When you start a working holiday in Australia, you use your phone straight away to look for work and keep in touch about housing. A local prepaid SIM needs identity verification when you sign up, so it helps to check which documents are accepted in the carrier's own guidance. Checked on 1 November 2026.
In short
If you plan to use a local SIM, let's check first which documents can verify your identity. Telstra words the treatment of overseas passports differently from page to page. You could also start on arrival day with an eSIM installed before you leave, then choose a local SIM once your documents are ready.
Check your ID documents first
When you start using a prepaid SIM in Australia, the carrier verifies your identity. Let's check which documents you can show in the carrier's official guidance before you leave. The application also has fields for your name and address besides the documents.
On arrival day you need a connection right away, for the trip from the airport and for contacting your accommodation. You could start with the travel eSIM you installed before departure, and choose a local SIM that fits how you use your phone once your documents are ready. If you need a local number for job applications, let's get a local SIM early.
Documents listed for identity verification of a prepaid SIM
On its ID verification page, Telstra lists the same four documents for Pre-Paid plans online, by phone and in store. When you sign up online, you can also choose ConnectID, which confirms your identity through a participating bank.
On its traveller SIM page, however, the documents asked for at checkout include an International Passport or ImmiCard. The pages are worded differently, so let's check in store or in Telstra's official guidance whether you can sign up with an overseas passport.
Australian driver licence
Prepaid ID check: Accepted
Traveller SIM: Accepted
Australian passport
Prepaid ID check: Accepted
Traveller SIM: Accepted
Medicare card
Prepaid ID check: Accepted
Traveller SIM: Accepted
ImmiCard
Prepaid ID check: Accepted
Traveller SIM: Accepted
International Passport
Prepaid ID check: Check in store or with Telstra
Traveller SIM: Accepted
Based on Telstra’s ID verification page and traveller SIM page (checked 1 November 2026).
Traveller plans can change
Traveller plans are sometimes replaced. Optus says that from 30 September 2026 Flex Plus Traveller is no longer available for new activations, and that new activations move to Flex Plus.
The same document also says the plan must be activated within Australia. Let's check the plan name and conditions by reopening the official page right before you apply. When choosing a plan, let's look at these points.
- Is it still open to new sign-ups?
- Where must it be activated (inside Australia only?)
- Can you sign up for an eSIM, a physical SIM, or both?
An eSIM you can install before departure
You can install an eSIM on your phone before you leave home. Telstra also says that for most of its plans you can choose between an eSIM and a physical SIM. Some people sign up for a local SIM as an eSIM, and others install a travel eSIM before departure.
Bloomy eSIM is one travel option. It is run by the same company as BLOOM ABROAD, and it is data-only, so it comes with no phone number. BLOOM ABROAD's Australia SIM comparison currently lists only Bloomy eSIM plans, so let's compare local carrier plans side by side with each carrier's official pages. You can choose days and data on the Bloomy eSIM Australia page.
What to check before you leave
If you are taking the phone you already use, check before you leave that it can use both a local SIM and an eSIM. Telstra notes that devices purchased overseas may not be eSIM compatible. According to Telstra's guidance, if it shows "No SIM restrictions", the phone is unlocked. Let's check these three things before departure.
- Carrier lock: in "Settings > General > About", does the "Carrier Lock" row show "No SIM restrictions"?
- eSIM support: dial *#06# and see whether a 32-digit EID appears
- Documents: do you have the documents you can use for ID verification at hand (and are they still valid)?
Compare plans on ABROAD
Let's compare days and data in the Australia SIM comparison. For getting online on arrival day, see How to get online on arrival day when you study or work abroad.
Sources
Official information from each company
- Telstra What forms of ID can I use for verification? (checked 1 November 2026)
- Telstra Pre-Paid Plans and SIM cards for travellers (checked 1 November 2026)
- Telstra Fix an issue with my Pre-Paid service (checked 1 November 2026)
- Optus Flex Plus Traveller Critical Information Summary, Plan ID 200506 (checked 1 November 2026)
- Apple Support: Set up an eSIM on your iPhone (checked 1 November 2026)
- BLOOM ABROAD Australia SIM comparison (checked 1 November 2026)
