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Going to Australia in a week, for 6 weeks. Telstra's and Boost's cheapest prepaid plans with eSIM currently amount to approx. AU$50 for two 28 day renewal periods (offer included). I'd like to buy in advance so I'm set when I arrive. However, both providers point to their respective apps (Apple/Google), which are not available in my region (e.g. Google does not even bother to point that out: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.boost.mobile.myboost). Side note: read the app reviews for Telstra...

Are there other options aside using a VPN (which I don't have) or trying to install the software package (APK) from a third-party site?

My Android phone offers to install an eSIM by scanning a code - don't the telcos provide this code somehow (web shop)?

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1 Answers1

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It is not possible to activate an (e)SIM with an Australia provider prior to arriving in Australia. Australian law requires telcos to go through a validation procedure for all such registrations, which requires providing details of an identification document.

For a non-Australia citizen/resident, the only document which is accepted is a foreign passport, with an "active" visa implying that the user has entered Australia and passed through immigration.

The 3 major providers have kiosks in the arrivals areas of most international airports, so you can normally sign up for either a SIM or eSIM plan there - often at better prices than they advertise elsewhere.

Alternatively you can look at using a "travel eSIM" which does not require this same registration, however these will be using a provider located outside of Australia so performance will be impacted due to the need to backhaul all traffic to that country. It also won't come with an Australian phone number (and likely no phone number at all).

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