Majority of Australians wary of roaming fees as travel surges

A new survey from Optus has revealed that 82% of Australians have either experienced or are concerned about experiencing unexpected international roaming charges when travelling abroad.

With international travel on the rise, over half of Australians (51%) now have overseas trips booked in the next twelve months. Ensuring a reliable and affordable mobile connection has become a priority for many, particularly given the increasing reliance on mobile data for navigation, communication, and sharing experiences with friends and family.

The Optus survey, which gathered responses from over 1,000 Australians aged 18 to 54 who have travelled internationally in the past two years, highlights how mobile data has become integral to the travel experience. The research found that issues such as losing contact with travel companions and difficulties with navigation are the top frustrations among travellers who lose connectivity while abroad.

Moreover, 64.4% of respondents consider having access to mobile data while travelling to be very important. International roaming remains the most popular method of staying connected (48.1%), followed by purchasing a local SIM card (38.7%) and using a travel eSIM (32.3%). However, 36.7% of those surveyed said confusion over how eSIMs work deters them from using this option.

Younger travellers are more dissatisfied by a lack of in-flight WiFi, with 79% of those aged between 18 and 34 expressing frustration, compared to 68% of older respondents. Additionally, women are more likely than men to use their phones overseas for more than three hours a day (40% compared with 31%).

Fears of inadvertent overspending while abroad have contributed to the enduring concern around 'bill shock'. The survey found that 90% of Australians would prefer to use roaming services if providers offered more convenient and reliable options, suggesting that many travellers seek simplicity and clarity when it comes to managing their mobile expenses while away from home.

International roaming activity among Optus customers reflected this growing demand, with figures from June 2025 showing a 19% increase year-on-year. Data usage was particularly high in popular European destinations such as the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Greece, and Spain, indicating that many Australians are keen to maintain connectivity during the peak travel period.

Anthony Shiner, Chief Customer Officer, Consumer at Optus, said, "Travel should be about creating memories, not stressing over your phone bill. We know Aussies want to feel confident they can stay connected without the nasty surprise of a big bill when they return home. That's exactly why we're focused on making staying connected overseas simple, affordable and stress-free."

He added, "Whether you're navigating the streets of Rome, sharing snaps from Santorini, or staying connected mid-flight, knowing your roaming options can help you stay in control and avoid bill shock, so you can focus on enjoying your trip."

For those planning to travel, Optus has outlined several tips to help avoid unexpected charges without sacrificing connectivity. These include:

– Not relying solely on public WiFi, as two-thirds of Australians have reported concerns about privacy and security when using unsecured networks abroad. Optus suggests roaming solutions can provide a safer and more reliable connection.

– Choosing predictable daily roaming options, such as the Optus Daily Roaming package, which offers 5GB of data per day for AUD $5 in over 150 destinations. Customers are notified via text when approaching their data limit and can monitor usage in real time through the My Optus app.

– Downloading essential travel apps before departure to limit in-destination data use. This includes maps, translation tools, and boarding passes, which can be accessed offline once downloaded.

– Taking advantage of in-flight roaming on eligible airlines. Through the AeroMobile service, Optus customers on certain plans can use their AUD $5 Daily Roaming pack to access data at altitude on 19 major carriers, including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Lufthansa.

– Avoiding SIM swaps and eSIM setup steps, as Optus Daily Roaming activates automatically on eligible plans, so customers can keep their regular number and account without additional administration while overseas.

The survey also found that a significant proportion of Australians (50%) have missed important news due to being disconnected during flights. As interest in travel continues to grow, both demand for reliable mobile connectivity and awareness of potential 'bill shock' look set to remain high among Australian travellers.