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The three biggest telcos have spend and usage tools to help you know how much of the different types of services you are using.
Telstra
Tools to monitor calls and data usage are available on the Telstra website by selecting 'My Account' from the Telstra home page. There is also an app available for use on portable devices.
Vodafone
Optus
Optus provides several options for customers to track their usage and keep their costs down, such as Optus My Account (online usage meter), My Optus App (via mobile handsets), SMS and email alerts, and prepaid mobile customers can check their usage by calling/texting 1509 from their Optus handset (freecall).
There are several pages on the Optus website that provide advice on this such as:
How can I control the amount I spend? ; and
Read more: What spend and usage tools are available?
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Some providers have special deals available for people in special circumstances. Here are the ones we've heard of.
Telstra
InContact is a free limited service that offers incoming calls but restricts outgoing calls. Telstra customer service, service difficulties and fault numbers can be called.
Telstra's prepaid calling card allows guests to make calls on a pre-paid basis, with the flexibility of being able to use the card from almost anywhere.
This aims to provide a phone service for people who seek shelter within emergency accommodation (one service only per property).
Telstra Bill Assistance Program
The program is designed to assist specific householders in maintaining access to a telephone service when difficulties arise.
CentrePay is a direct deduction facility offered by Centrelink to customers, who may choose to pay some household bills and other essential services.
Home Phone Budget offers has a line rental plan that provides a relatively lower line rental price than standard services with higher call prices. It is designed for Telstra residential customers with just one fixed line service who make very few calls.
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Download: 
How to use less data on your smartphone60.5 KB
Download: 
How to use less data on your smartphone124.99 KB
Smartphones can chew through your data allowance without you realising it. This can be because data-hungry apps are left open or simply due to default settings on your phone.
It can be very expensive if you go over your monthly data allowance. Our blog post on excess mobile data charges outlines what some of the telcos charge for going over your mobile data allowance.
Read more: How to use less data on your smartphone
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Download: Hidden costs in free apps 57.5 KB
Download: Hidden costs in free apps 334.2 KB
While some games or apps cost nothing to download on our smartphones or tablets, they often contain extra elements you can purchase within the game, known as “in-app purchases.” It is easy to make in-app purchases with many parents reporting that their children are buying things within games, not realising that they cost their parents real money through their iTunes, Google Play or Amazon account.
Read more: Hidden costs in free apps
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Download: 
Received an unexpectedly high bill47.89 KB
Download: Received an unexpectedly high bill158.06 KB
Many phone providers have a limit on how many calls you can make, texts you can send and data you can use each month. If you go over your limit you could be charged extra fees. These fees can be very expensive and it is best to avoid going over your limit if you can.
Read more: Received an unexpectedly high bill?
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- Small business tip sheets
What are your rights?
Network outage? No service? Call failure?
- If you have been disadvantaged or lost money due to a phone or internet outage, you might be able to claim compensation.
- Compensation should make up for your loss.
- For example, if your internet is out for one week you could ask for your money back for that week. You may be able to claim for costs incurred, like getting your internet fixed or using extra mobile data.
Read more: Telecommunications compensation
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Download: Credit Reporting72.5 KB
Download: Credit Reporting817.83 KB
What is credit reporting?
Credit reporting is used by organisations to help decide whether or not they are willing to lend money to a particular person. Credit providers and credit reporting agencies are the main organisations involved in credit reporting. Credit providers are businesses such as banks, car loan companies and telecommunications service providers that lend money or provide credit to their customers.
Credit providers send information about your debts to private companies called credit reporting agencies (CRAs). There are three main CRAs in Australia:
- Veda: www.veda.com.au
- Dun and Bradstreet: dnb.com.au
- Experian: www.experian.com.au
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Download: Which broadband product is right for my business.docx61.82 KB
Download: Which broadband product is right for my business.pdf336.92 KB
There are a range of different options available to small businesses when it comes to broadband. This tip sheet outlines the questions a small business owner should ask when choosing a broadband product.
When trying to decide which broadband product is right for your business, consider:
- Which types of broadband services are available? For information on the services that may be available to you, access our brochure: Understanding your options for broadband connection.
- What type of service would best suit the needs of the business in terms of speed, mobility and monthly data allowance? Refer to your broadband bills from the last 6-12 months to calculate your typical usage.
- Do you need both phone and broadband services? If so, consider the option of bundling (getting all the services from the same provider). You might also want to include mobile services in this bundle. This could save you money but make sure that all the services meet your needs otherwise you could end up spending more than you need to.
- Do you need to upload a lot of data? For example if you are operating a video streaming service or other content rich business.
Read more: Which broadband product is right for my business?
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Download: Broadband Continuity Plan74 KB
Download: Broadband Continuity Plan252.67 KB
Your broadband service can be a critical business asset. If your broadband service failed, could your business continue to operate effectively?
To minimise the risk you are advised to:
a) Perform a risk assessment for your business use of broadband
b) Obtain the most resilient broadband service that you can afford – to match the level of risk.
c) Write an action plan of what you would do if you broadband failed (outage)
Read more: Broadband Continuity Plan
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Fixed Voice Continuity Plan.pdf409.05 KB
Fixed Voice Continuity Plan.doc71.5 KB
Your business landline (fixed voice service) can be a critical business asset. If your fixed voice service failed, would your business continue to operate effectively?
Back-up (or failover) solutions for fixed voice services vary considerably depending on the size of your organisation and the purposes for which you use these services. Most small businesses are highly dependent on their fixed voice services so a continuity plan is important.
To minimise risk to your business from failure of your fixed voice services you should:
- Perform a 'risk assessment' for your business's use of telecommunications
- Obtain the most reliable fixed voice service that you can afford – to match the level of risk.
- Write an action plan for what you would do in the event of a disruption to this service (outage)
Read more: Preparing your organisation’s Fixed Voice Business Continuity Plan
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Download: Business Continuity Plan61 KB
Download: Business Continuity Plan310.03 KB
What is a 'Business Continuity Plan' (BCP)?
It is a fact of life that emergencies will happen, and computer and communications systems will fail. To minimise the problems for your business it is advisable to have a business continuity plan which:
- Outlines what you have done in advance to prevent interruptions to vital services
- Lists the steps you and staff will take during an interruption to continue operations
- Lists the steps you will take to fully restore services after an interruption
- Sets up a Post Incident Review (PIR) after an interruption has occurred
Sample BCPs are available on the internet where you will also find sites that have extensive instructions on their construction and implementation.
Read more: Preparing your organisation's Business Continuity Plan
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Download: Travelling overseas with a mobile phone50.95 KB
Download: Travelling overseas with a mobile phone346.11 KB
If you are travelling overseas and would like to use your mobile phone you have a number of options to consider.
Read more: Travelling overseas with a mobile phone
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