Starlink Roam Plans Explained: Standby Mode, 100GB & Unlimited

January 1, 2026

A practical guide to Starlink Australia plans for travellers - comparing Starlink Standby Mode, Roam 100GB, and Roam Unlimited, plus how to switch between them without wasting money.

If you're researching Starlink Australia plans for travel, you've probably noticed most information online is US-based - with different pricing and plan names. This guide covers Australian Starlink plans and pricing as of 2026.

Looking at Starlink Mini plans for caravanning, camping, or van life? You've got three main options, and the monthly cost difference is significant. Starlink Standby Mode costs $8.50, Starlink Roam 100GB is $80, and Starlink Roam Unlimited is $195.

So which Starlink plan do you actually need? Can you get by on Standby Mode? Is 100GB enough? This guide breaks down exactly what you can do on each Starlink Roam plan, who each one suits, and how to switch between them to save money.

Starlink Australia Plans for Travellers: Quick Comparison

There are three main Starlink Australia plans for mobile use. These are the current Australian prices - note that US and other countries have different pricing structures.

Plan	Monthly Cost	Speed	Data
Starlink Standby Mode	$8.50	Up to 0.5 Mbps	Unlimited (low-speed)
Starlink Roam 100GB	$80	~160 Mbps+	100GB high-speed, then unlimited low-speed
Starlink Roam Unlimited	$195	~160 Mbps+	Unlimited

That's a 320x speed difference between Starlink Standby Mode and the Starlink Roam plans. But 0.5 Mbps is still usable for certain tasks - and at $8.50 a month, the Starlink monthly cost is less than a coffee.

What Can You Do on Starlink Standby Mode?

Starlink Standby Mode runs at up to 0.5 Mbps. That's slow by modern standards, but it's not nothing. Here's what actually works on Standby:

Works Fine on Starlink Standby Mode

Phone calls and text messages (WiFi calling)
Email - sending and receiving
Basic web browsing
Weather apps and forecasts
Social media - Facebook, Instagram (images load slowly)
Audio streaming - Spotify, podcasts
Maps and navigation
Banking apps
Messaging apps - WhatsApp, Messenger

Frustrating on Standby Mode

Social media with lots of video content
Image-heavy websites
App updates

Won't Work on Standby Mode

Video streaming - Netflix, YouTube, Kayo, Stan
Video calls - Zoom, FaceTime, Teams
Large downloads or uploads
Cloud photo backup
Online gaming
Working remotely (unless text-only tasks)

Low-definition video might technically work if your app supports it, but don't count on it. If streaming or video calls are part of your trip, you need one of the Starlink Roam plans.

What Can You Do on Starlink Roam Plans?

Jump to either Starlink Roam plan - 100GB or Unlimited - and you're looking at speeds around 160 Mbps or better. That's fast enough for:

4K streaming on multiple devices
Video calls without buffering
Working remotely - cloud apps, file sharing, video meetings
Gaming
Downloading updates and apps quickly
Everything, basically

The only difference between Starlink Roam 100GB and Starlink Roam Unlimited is the data cap. Speed is the same on both plans.

What Happens When You Hit 100GB?

Updated January 2026: Starlink has changed how the Roam 100GB plan works when you exceed your data allowance.

Previously: Your connection was cut off entirely, and you could buy additional data at $1.50 per GB.

Now: When you hit 100GB, your speed drops to approximately 0.5 Mbps (similar to Standby Mode) for the remainder of your billing period. You get unlimited data at this reduced speed - you're not cut off completely.

The per-GB top-up option has been removed. If you need to restore full speed after hitting 100GB, your only option is upgrading to Roam Unlimited ($195/month).

Usage Alerts: Starlink now sends notifications when you reach 80% (80GB) and 100% of your data allowance, so you won't be caught off guard.

For most travellers, this is actually a better deal - you still have basic connectivity even if you burn through your allowance, rather than being completely cut off.

Which Starlink Australia Plan Should You Choose?

Starlink Standby Mode ($8.50/month) is Perfect For:

Seasonal travellers - Big lap in winter, home in summer. Keep the account active for $8.50 instead of paying $80+ when you're not using it.
Backup connectivity - Peace of mind when you're out of mobile range. Make calls, send messages, check email.
Emergency use - You're in a dead zone and need to contact someone or look something up.
Light occasional use - Check the weather, send a text, browse a bit.
Keeping firmware updated - Power up every few months on Standby Mode to keep your Starlink Mini current without paying for a full Roam plan.

Starlink Roam 100GB ($80/month) is Perfect For:

Weekenders and short trips - A few days here and there, streaming at night, video calls during the day.
Couples without kids - Two people using data consciously can easily stay under 100GB.
Remote workers - Video calls, emails, cloud apps. Most remote workers find 100GB is plenty.
Full-time travellers (data-conscious) - Solo travellers and couples who monitor their usage often do fine on 100GB.
Backup to mobile data - You mostly use phone data but want Starlink for the spots without coverage.

Tip: You get the full 100GB even if you activate mid-month. Activate on day 15 and you'll pay roughly $40 but still get the full 100GB to use.

Starlink Roam 100GB is by far the most popular Starlink plan for Australian travellers. With the recent doubling from 50GB to 100GB (at the same $80 price), even more users will find this plan sufficient for their needs.

Starlink Roam Unlimited ($195/month) is Perfect For:

Families travelling full-time - Kids streaming, adults working, multiple devices connected. This is where even 100GB can disappear fast.
Heavy streamers - Kayo, Netflix, YouTube - if it's always on, go unlimited.
Data-heavy remote workers - Large file uploads/downloads, constant video calls, screen sharing.
Anyone who doesn't want to think about it - No monitoring, no worrying, just use it.

How to Change Your Starlink Plan

This is where people get caught out with Starlink plans. Upgrading and downgrading work differently:

Upgrading Your Starlink Plan (Standby → Roam, or 100GB → Unlimited)

Happens immediately
You pay the pro-rata difference for the remaining days in your billing month
Plan change takes effect straight away

Example: You're on Starlink Standby Mode and upgrade to Starlink Roam 100GB with 15 days left in your billing month. You'll pay roughly $36 for those 15 days, and your Roam plan kicks in immediately.

Downgrading Your Starlink Plan (Roam → Standby, or Unlimited → 100GB)

Takes effect at the start of your next billing period
No charge - you've already paid for the current month
Your current Starlink plan stays active until your billing date
You can cancel the pending downgrade if you change your mind

Example: You're on Starlink Roam Unlimited and want to drop to Standby Mode. You request the change on the 10th, but it won't happen until your next billing date (say, the 22nd). You keep full Unlimited access until then.

Your Starlink Billing Date

Your billing date is set when you first activate your Starlink account. This becomes your "anniversary date" going forward. Every Starlink plan change, renewal, and pro-rata calculation is based on this date.

Good to know: Starlink uses UTC time, so the billing date rolls over at 10am AEST (9:30am in SA/NT, 8am in WA). If you're making changes close to your billing date, timing matters.

Starlink Cost Australia: Seasonal Switching Saves Money

Here's where understanding Starlink Australia plans gets interesting. If you're not travelling year-round, switching plans strategically can save you hundreds on your annual Starlink cost.

All prices below are in Australian dollars - the current Starlink Australia pricing as of 2026.

Scenario: You travel 4 months a year

Option A - Stay on Starlink Roam 100GB all year:
$80 x 12 = $960/year

Option B - Switch between Standby Mode and Roam:
Standby Mode for 8 months: $8.50 x 8 = $68
Starlink Roam 100GB for 4 months: $80 x 4 = $320
Total: $388/year

Saving: $572/year

Scenario: You travel 6 months a year

Option A - Stay on Starlink Roam Unlimited all year:
$195 x 12 = $2,340/year

Option B - Switch between Standby Mode and Roam:
Standby Mode for 6 months: $8.50 x 6 = $51
Starlink Roam Unlimited for 6 months: $195 x 6 = $1,170
Total: $1,221/year

Saving: $1,119/year

Even if you just drop to Starlink Standby Mode for a couple of months over summer when you're home, you'll save $140-370 depending on your usual Starlink Roam plan.

Tips for Managing Your Starlink Roam Data

Start Low, Upgrade If Needed

Not sure how much data you'll use? Start on Starlink Roam 100GB. You'll get alerts at 80GB and 100GB, and even if you exceed the cap, you'll still have low-speed connectivity. If you find yourself consistently needing more, upgrade to Unlimited.

Monitor Your Starlink Data Usage

Check the Starlink app regularly. Under Data Usage you can see exactly how much you've used this billing period. With the new usage alerts at 80% and 100%, you'll also get notifications as you approach your limit.

Enable Low Data Mode on Your Devices

On iPhone: Settings → WiFi → Select your Starlink network → Toggle Low Data Mode ON
On Android: Settings → Network → WiFi → Your network → Advanced → Enable Metered/Data Saver

This stops background apps chewing through your Starlink Roam data while you sleep.

Don't Forget to Downgrade

Trip finished? Request the downgrade to Starlink Standby Mode straight away. It won't take effect until your next billing date anyway, so you've got nothing to lose. If plans change, you can cancel the pending downgrade.

Quick Starlink Australia Plan Decision Guide

If you...	Choose this Starlink plan...
Only travel a few months a year	Standby Mode when home, Roam when travelling
Want backup connectivity in dead zones	Starlink Standby Mode
Travel weekends/holidays, watch some streaming	Starlink Roam 100GB
Work remotely on the road	Starlink Roam 100GB or Unlimited
Travel full-time	Starlink Roam 100GB or Unlimited
Travel full-time with family	Starlink Roam Unlimited
Are a solo traveller, light data user	Starlink Roam 100GB
Don't want to think about data	Starlink Roam Unlimited

Australian-Specific Considerations

A few things worth noting about Starlink Australia plans that differ from other countries:

WiFi Calling - All Australian carriers (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone) support WiFi calling. This means even on Starlink Standby Mode, you can make and receive mobile calls and texts in areas with zero mobile coverage. Your phone uses Starlink's internet connection to reach your carrier.
Remote Area Coverage - Australia's vast distances make Starlink particularly valuable. Standby Mode at $8.50/month provides genuine emergency connectivity across the outback, station tracks, and remote national parks.
Billing in AUD - All Starlink Australia plans are billed in Australian dollars. The prices in this guide ($8.50, $80, $195) are the current Australian rates.
UTC Billing Rollover - Starlink uses UTC time, so your billing date rolls over at 10am AEST (9:30am SA/NT, 8am WA). Worth knowing if you're making plan changes close to your billing date.

Related Guides

Need help getting your Starlink Mini set up for travel? Browse our mounting solutions and 12V cables to get connected anywhere in Australia.

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