Despite most urban areas across the country having reliable 4G or 5G coverage, mobile phone black spots still affect many Australians. The Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) aims to eliminate these black spots. Read on to find out where telcos’ black spots are located and if your area is scheduled to receive coverage soon.
Mobile black spots in Australia
The MBSP is an ongoing Australian Federal Government initiative aimed at improving mobile phone reception in areas without coverage, such as regional communities, transport routes and tourist destinations.
The program invests in telecommunications infrastructure with support from state and local governments, the three national Mobile Network Operators (Optus, Telstra and TPG Telecom/Vodafone), and Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers (Field Solutions Group and OneWiFi).
Since its inception, the MBSP has generated over $1 billion in total investment, resulting in the construction of up to 1,400 new mobile base stations across the country to enhance mobile coverage and competition.
The following list focuses on the most populated areas, but many regional areas are also affected. You can view each telco’s blackspot list and identify blackspots by using these links to their respective websites:
Many black spots are located in remote areas, while most of the coastal regions and heavily populated areas are well-covered. Fortunately, all three carriers are working to expand black spot infrastructure, with completion expected by 2025. While you can find detailed information on each carrier’s website, here is a snapshot of some sites expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
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Queensland black spots
Optus black spots
- Castle Rock Campground
- Central Stations Campground
- Charlie Moreland Camp
- Eugarie
- Yarrabah South
Most of these sites are due to be completed by mid 2024 to late 2025. Visit the Optus website for more information.
Telstra black spots
- Caboolture South
- Cedar Creek
- Bellmere
- Deebing Heights North
- East Douglas (Townsville)
- Emerald
- Kuranda West
- Logan Village East
- Upper Stone
Telstra aims to have most of these sites live between 2024 and 2025. Visit the Telstra website for more information.
Vodafone black spots
- Mackenzie
- Ripley
- Rosewood
Most of these sites are due to be completed by 2025. Visit the Vodafone website for more information.
NSW black spots
Optus black spots
- Cottage Point
- Jingelic
- Lankeys Creek
- St Albans
- Werombi
Most of these sites are due to be completed before the end of 2024.
Telstra black spots
- Annangrove Currie Ave
- Budgewoi
- Brooklyn/Dangar Island
- Bullaburra Kalinda Road
- Dalmeny
- Eleebana
- Glen Elgin
- Hawkesbury Heights
- Jamberoo
- Jewells and Redhead
- Kangaroo Valley
- Killcare
- Kings Highway
- Kosciuszko Tourist Park
- Lake Munmorah
- Lilli Pilli
- Maragle
- Maraylya
- Matcham-Holgate
- Mole River Exchange
- Princes Highway
- Talbingo
- Tenterfield
- Watsons Creek
- Worrigee
- Wreck Bay Village
- Wyoming
- Yellow Rock
Most of these sites are due to be completed between 2024 and 2026.
Vodafone black spots
- Giard Hill Top
- Hornsby Heights
- North Catherine Field
- Oakville
These sites are scheduled to be completed between 2024-2025.
Victoria black spots
Optus black spots
- Craigieburn
- Gisborne South East
- Hordern Vale
- Mt Martha Esplanade
- Ravenhall
- Rye South
- Tootgarook Reserve
- Werribee
Optus has scheduled the above sites for completion in 2025.
Telstra black spots
- Burrowye
- Gisborne South East
- Goldie
- Grampians Rd
- Heathcote
- Koetong
- Maryknoll
- Menzies Creek
- Nar Goon South
- Shellford
- St Leonards
- Woodend
Telstra expects the above sites to be completed before the end of 2025.
Vodafone black spots
- Clyde South
- Craigieburn Central & Newbury Park
- Main Ridge
- Mernda Central
- Merricks North
- Mt Martha Esplanade
- Ravenhall
- Research East
- Rye South
- Silvan
- Sorrento North
- St Andrew Beach
- Tootgarook Reserve
- Tuerong
- Werribee
Vodafone is expected to complete these sites before the end of 2025.
Tasmania black spots
Optus black spots
- Mathinna
- Murdunna
- Tylers Hill
Optus expects the above sites to be completed before the end of 2024.
Telstra black spots
- Ansons Bay
- Bridgenorth
- Grindelwald
- Molesworth
- Sheffield
- Tea Tree
- Togari
- Verona Sands
- West Tamar Highway
Telstra expects the above sites to be completed by 2026.
Vodafone black spots
Vodafone does not currently have any sites under construction.
South Australia black spots
Optus black spots
- Flinders Ranges Way
Optus currently only has one site under construction, which is due to be completed before the end of 2024.
Telstra black spots
- Adelaide Hills
- Cherry Gardens
- Cudlee Creek
- Mosely
- Port Rickaby
- Rapid Bay
- Wool Bay
Telstra has several sites due for completion in 2026.
Vodafone black spots
- Seaford Rise
Vodafone expects construction on this site to be completed by late 2025.
Northern Territory black spots
Optus black spots
- Gunn Point
- Rainbow Valley
Optus expects the above sites to be completed by the end of 2024.
Telstra black spots
Telstra currently has no blackspots listed in the Northern Territory.
Vodafone black spots
Vodafone currently has no blackspots listed in the Northern Territory.
Western Australia black spots
Optus black spots
- Banjup East
- Byford North and West
- Ellendale South
- Koomberkine North
- Leda West
- Miamoon
- Mt Horner North
- Ningaloo Station
- North Kellerberrin
- Seville Grove
- Steep Point
- Yathroo
Optus expects many of the above sites to be completed between 2025-2026.
Telstra black spots
- Alkimos North
- Camballin
- Cascade North
- Churchman Brook
- Forrest Highway
- Hyden East
- Indian Ocean Drive
- North Greenbushes
- Stoneville
- Swan
- Tunney North
Telstra expects the above sites to be completed between 2024 and 2026.
Vodafone black spots
- Banjup East
- Bennett Springs
- Byford West
- Leda West
- Orelia
Vodafone expects construction on the above sites to be completed between 2025 and 2026.
Compare mobile plans
If you’re in an area with a new network connection or have seen your area listed as a pending blackspot site, it might be time to look into a new phone plan. While all mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) operate on one of the three major networks (Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone), your starting point might be to explore phone plans from the big three.
Once you’ve found a plan and telco that suits you, check the coverage maps on the telco’s website to ensure your area is covered by that network.
The following table shows a selection of published postpaid SIM plans with 5G access on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
The following table shows a selection of published prepaid SIM plans with 5G access on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
What do I do if I’m not covered?
Don’t see your town or suburb in the lists above? Don’t panic – full lists are available on the carriers’ websites. Additionally, if you live in a capital city or major metropolitan area, your neighbourhood is likely to on-schedule for a coverage upgrade.
If you live outside these areas and your mobile black spot isn’t scheduled for improvement, remember that telcos are continuously rolling out and planning new stations throughout 2024. The Federal Government and the three major telcos are investing nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in improving mobile network coverage, so it’s definitely worth reaching out to see if you can get coverage in your area.
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