Telstra offers 30,000 Australians free plans for up to six months to help ease cost of living pressures

Telstra has announced an extension of its support for vulnerable Australians, offering up to $5.4 million phone credit for those in need. Under the extension of Telstra’s “Top-Up” prepaid recharges, Telstra said by June next year it is hoping to help 30,000 Australians with up to $180 in phone credit free of charge. “Aimed originally at those experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or a natural disaster, our expansion extends the program’s reach to even more Australians, including those in need of financial assistance who may also face food insecurity, mental health challenges, a disability, or are refugees,” Telstra said in a statement. Under the expansion of the plan, Telstra increased the value of its Top Ups from three $40 recharges each expiring after 28 days, to one $160 recharge with 70GB of data to use over six months, to help keep more people who need it connected for longer. The equivalent plan for others will cost $20 more a recharge, rising from $160 to $180 for prepaid customers starting from October 22, but will include an extra 50GB of data. The call to increase support comes after a report by Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) found one in five Australians have missed a phone or internet payment due to financial constraints, while others have gone without essentials like food or medicine to pay a bill. “More and more Australians are being impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and reaching out for our support. Every day, we hear about people having to make difficult decisions and sacrifices to stay afloat,” Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers said. “Providing our clients with the Telstra Top-Up program is helping more Aussies stay connected to loved ones and maintain access to important services and information so they can focus on getting back on their feet.” The Telstra Top Up program can be accessed through community agencies and providers that use Infoxchange’s services. Currently, over 750 state-based organisations, including: Safe Steps, Anglicare, Salvation Army, Save The Children, and Uniting Care offer the program. To qualify, you need to be using a Telstra Pre-Paid SIM, which is available for $2. The cost of living support comes after the Telco giant announced price hikes for postpaid customers from August 27, while additional charges for prepaid customers came into effect on October 22. Customers will be out between $2-4 per month, with premium plans set to have the highest price jump from $95 per month to $99 per month. Basic plans will rise from $62 to $65, essential plans will rise from $72 to $75, and bundle plans will increase from $50 to $52.