Ranui Travelled to Australia
Seamless connection, much easier than the other eSIM I've used. Will use again next time!
Australia eSIM plans
Spark roaming in Australia: costs, data, and how to save
A plain-English guide to the Spark international roaming packs, what you'll pay, and a cheaper alternative if you want one
KiwiSim eSIMs from $3.90/day
Save more than $28 on a 7-day trip
What Spark charges
Spark international roaming packs
$8per 24 hours
Australia: 1GB per 24-hour pack at full speed. Other destinations (Spark Roaming Pack): 2GB total over 14 days.
- Calls and texts
- Australia pack: unlimited calls and texts to/from Australian and NZ numbers while the pack is active. Other destinations: 300 minutes and 300 texts to/from Australia and NZ over the 14-day window.
- Hotspot
- Allowed on both packs, but every MB tethered counts against the pack's data allowance.
- After the allowance
- Australia pack: after 1GB the speed is throttled for the rest of the 24-hour window. Other destinations: after 2GB you're charged per MB at Spark's out-of-pack rates, which add up fast.
- Zone
- Australia is in Spark’s primary roaming zone alongside the US, UK, and most of Europe. Trips outside this zone can attract higher rates or per-MB charges.
- Activation
- Australia: the Daily Roaming Pack auto-activates the first time you use mobile data, calls, or texts in Australia. Other destinations: you must add the Spark Roaming Pack to your account in the Spark app or via *376 before you fly — it won't auto-activate.
Spark sells two different roaming products. For trips to Australia, the Australia Daily Roaming Pack is $8 per 24 hours with 1GB at top speed, and auto-activates on first use. For everywhere else (including Australia if you're not in Australia), the Spark Roaming Pack is $30 for 14 days with 2GB of data plus 300 minutes and 300 texts, and you need to add it to your account in the Spark app before you fly.
Cost over a trip
Pick a trip length, prices as at 21 May 2026
How long is your trip?
You'd save $28.70 on a 7-day trip
Spark roaming$56.00
KiwiSim eSIM$27.30
Spark at $8.00 a day, KiwiSim at $3.90 a day
Your Australia eSIM
How long is your trip?
Our picks for a 7-day trip
Most popular
Daily Unlimited
1GB a day at full 5G speed, then unlimited at standard speed
$27.30NZD7 days × $3.90
10GB fixed data
One allowance to use across your whole trip
$22.90NZDValid 30 days
More plans
1GBValid 7 days
$3.503GBValid 15 days
$8.505GBValid 30 days
$13.0020GBValid 30 days
$39.5050GBValid 30 days
$81.90Side by side
How data is sold
KiwiSimUnlimited daily plan — pay by the number of days you need
SparkAustralia: $8/day pack with 1GB. Other destinations: $30 for 14 days with 2GB + 300 minutes + 300 texts.
When the allowance runs out
KiwiSimContinues at reduced speed for the rest of the day — still browsable. Resets every 24h.
SparkThrottled or charged per-MB depending on the pack — heavy use becomes impractical
Hotspot / tethering
KiwiSimYes
SparkYes
Networks used in Australia
KiwiSimOptus & Telstra 5G/4G
SparkTelstra partner network
Activation method
KiwiSimScan QR code, install in 2 minutes
SparkAustralia pack auto-activates on first use; other destinations need you to add the pack in the Spark app before you fly
Keeps your NZ number for calls/texts
KiwiSimYes — runs alongside your NZ SIM
SparkYes — it is your NZ SIM
Customer support
KiwiSim24/7 chat & email
SparkNZ business hours phone + app
If you cross into another country
KiwiSimInstall a new eSIM for that country
SparkContinues working — billed at that country's rate
Spark roaming is the no-thinking option — your existing SIM just works. KiwiSim takes a couple of minutes to install but pays for itself fast, especially on trips longer than 2-3 days.
Why KiwiSim
Built in New Zealand for Kiwis heading overseas
Locally owned & operated
You're in good hands with our Kiwi team
Global 5G/4G network
Fast, reliable coverage in 200+ destinations
Simple to set up
Connected in minutes, all online
Hotspot & tethering
Share your data with a laptop, tablet or mates
Priced in NZ dollars
No USD conversion, no exchange fees, no surprises on your statement
Works with most phones
Most modern phones support eSIM. Check yours
What Kiwis say
4.6 out of 5 from 80+ reviews
Garry Travelled to Australia
Definitely my to go to eSIM😬
Euan Travelled to Australia
We travel from Perth to Melbourne by road. We had data connection everywhere you would expect like roadhouses on Nullarbor. Would be handy if there was some way to receive Message. As we found camp ground sent after hours check in info on message.
Ele Travelled to Australia
Great price and very easy setup. I will use again.
Dave Travelled to Australia
Super easy & great price!
Sandrine Travelled to Australia
First time using an esim. It was so simple to install that I thought I did something wrong 😅. And super easy to use.
sue Travelled to Australia
Was brilliant easy to use
Nic Travelled to United States
Super easy to set up! And affordable which was awesome.
Christine Travelled to Australia
Was a little nervous, as the company was new, but everything worked easily and simply, Used it for a week in the Gold Coast. Highly recommend.
KR Travelled to Indonesia
Really easy to use and no issues with connectivity. Love that its nz owned. Only gave 4 stars because I manually chose 8 days of coverage however on the last day it stopped working.
Kingsley Travelled to Australia
Did all we needed for our short trip.
Mke r Travelled to Australia
Simple, easy and chepaer than roaming packages. Highly recommend
Questions, answered
How is the daily cost for Spark calculated?
Spark's roaming products vary by data allowance and pack duration, so they aren't always priced as a flat daily fee. To compare like-for-like with KiwiSim's unlimited daily plan — which gives you around 1GB of data per day at top speed — we worked out what you'd actually pay Spark to get roughly the same data each day at their published rates. That's the figure used in the chart and tables on this page.
Is Spark roaming worth it in Australia?
Spark Daily Roaming is convenient for very short trips. But on most week-or-longer trips to Australia, a KiwiSim eSIM saves you significantly — same local 5G/4G coverage, unlimited daily data, and a fraction of the cost per day.
How do I turn off Spark roaming before I travel?
Open the Spark app and disable international roaming, or turn off "Data roaming" for your Spark SIM in your phone settings (Settings → Mobile → Spark line → Data Roaming on iPhone). Doing both is safest. Your NZ number still works for calls and texts at home — you just won't be charged the daily roaming fee.
Can I use Spark and KiwiSim at the same time?
Yes — this is the recommended setup. Keep your Spark SIM active for calls and texts on your NZ number (with data roaming off so you don't trigger the daily fee), and let the KiwiSim eSIM handle all your data while you're in Australia.
Does Spark charge for incoming calls in Australia?
Incoming calls and texts are covered by the daily roaming fee while you're in the covered zone — but receiving them activates the fee for that day. With roaming switched off, you won't be charged.
What happens if I turn off cellular data and only use my eSIM?
If you disable roaming on your Spark line and use only the KiwiSim eSIM for data, Spark won't charge you the daily fee. To be fully safe, switch off roaming on the Spark line entirely so an incoming text or call doesn't trigger the pack.
Will I get charged by Spark if I install a KiwiSim eSIM?
No — KiwiSim is a separate connection running alongside your Spark SIM. Installing the eSIM has no impact on your Spark account or billing.
Does Spark roaming work on all phones?
Yes — Spark roaming works on whatever phone you already use with your Spark SIM. KiwiSim requires an eSIM-compatible phone (most iPhones from XS onward, most flagship Androids from 2020 onward).