We currently have a pay as you go phone with Telstra, it was the cheapest option when we bought it, but it is quite expensive to text friends and family in the UK from it. Basically we are looking to get a phone on contract and pay as little per month as we can, (who isnt) but get cheap overseas texts from it, and cheap calls within Australia. Does anyone have a phone on a similar package they can recommend. Obviously I have looked and asked in all the usual shops, but the choice is so vast, its difficult to get an accurate answer, and with the staff looking for commisions for the type of phone they can shift the answers we have received havent been that helpful.............any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I dont need a camera phone or anything fancy simply a reasonable phone I can transfer my existing number to with cheap rates.

Ive just changed over to Optus, Ive kept the same phone and number they just sent me a sim card to put in my phone. Have a look at www.optus.com.au

Check out Vodafone. You can get sort of a contract arrangement with them, ie monthly bills etc, but without the hassles of a contract (ie you are not tied to them, and can cancel anytime.

If you like texting, there is an option for a package with plenty of included texts, and the call rates are not too bad either.

They also have an interest-free option for purchasing phones.

Thanks guys, and I had already checked out those companies, as well as all the others, but you know what its like you take out plan xyz with Optus for example, then the day after someone says why didnt you get plan abc from Virgin, its half the price you are paying........... hence the reason I asked the question, I was hoping somebody could name a specific plan/host that they perhaps had, and knew it was a good deal.

have u a fone u can use or does it need to be a complete package?

I already have a phone, which is a reasonably new one.

It is difficult to know what package you need as every one's needs are different.
We are with Optus with our home line and internet. Calls to uk (or any international calls) are only 2.9 cent's/min.(1hr=$1.74)

I would go for something like this then pay $20 and get $40 credit or $30 and get $100 credit

info HERE

Cheers for that, it was Virgin I was looking to go with, so this is valuable info.

I'm also with optus... I buy $30 recharge and get $120 of credit which can be used for calls and texts to anywhere.

called a friend back in scotland a couple of weeks ago - was on the phone for about 45 minutes and only seemed to have used about $25 of credit! darn good for a mobily I thought!

Another good option, cheers for that I will give them a ring

Virgin mobile use the Optus Network, but I beleive Virgin calls r cheaper

If you want to do text messages back to the UK then this is the site for you

http://www.txt2day.com/

No charges except what you're already paying for internet access.