What the calculation means
Use AUD prices including GST. Enter the normal recurring price and separate one-off setup cost. For a fixed-day expiry, annualised cost is price × 365 ÷ expiry days; monthly equivalent is that result ÷ 12. For calendar-month billing, the annualised amount is 12 payments. Setup cost is excluded from those ongoing comparisons.
First-365-day payments include setup plus enough whole renewal payments to maintain service for 365 days from activation. For a 28-day plan, 13 recharges cover only 364 days, so the fourteenth payment buys service extending beyond the year. Annualised cost and cash payments therefore answer different questions. This model assumes immediate activation, consecutive renewals, unchanged prices, no refunds and no existing credit. It excludes add-ons, usage charges and handset repayments.
Illustration: $30 every 28 days is $391.07 annualised, $32.59 per average month and $420 in payments to cover the first 365 days with no setup fee. $30 per calendar month is $360 for 12 months. A promotion, non-standard expiry or unknown required cost needs its own payment schedule, so this worksheet will not calculate those cases.
Confirm the phone and the actual network
ACMA warns that some 4G and overseas phones cannot reach Triple Zero after 3G closure. Ask the selected provider about your exact model/IMEI, supported bands, VoLTE and 000 compatibility. An unlocked or 5G-labelled phone is not sufficient evidence. Do not make a test call to 000.
ALDI Mobile uses Telstra Wholesale; Everyday Mobile from Woolworths also uses Telstra Wholesale. Resellers do not necessarily provide identical coverage, speeds or features to the retail network brand. Check the chosen provider’s own map at home/work and its CIS for speed caps, data expiry, international destinations and roaming.
Keep a quote record before deciding
- Provider, exact plan, official quote/CIS link and the date/time checked
- Ordinary renewal price and period, setup costs, any promotional expiry and activation deadline
- Usable data, speed caps, rollover and what happens at the allowance limit
- Domestic and international call/SMS inclusions, roaming charges and device repayments
- Auto-renewal, cancellation, refund and number-porting conditions
A cheaper result does not establish eligibility, coverage, emergency calling or equivalent inclusions. For activation and keeping an overseas number, use the mobile setup guide. This worksheet is for mobile costs only; the home internet guide covers NBN technology and address checks.
Frequently asked questions
Are these current provider offers?
No. The figures are quotes you enter. Verify each provider’s current price, CIS, network and device requirements.
Why can 28-day first-year payments exceed annualised cost?
Whole recharges buy service beyond the comparison year. Thirteen 28-day periods cover 364 days, so continuous service through 365 days can require a fourteenth payment.
Does the cheaper option mean I should buy it?
No. Costs do not establish coverage, device compatibility, eligibility or equivalent inclusions.
Sources and review scope
Source check: 1 October 2026. The linked provider and regulator pages support the stated scope. Illustrative calculations are not live quotes, product testing, individual approval or professional advice. Recheck provider terms before acting.