Optus is a major Australian telecommunications company providing mobile, internet, fixed-line, and related communication services to consumers and businesses across Australia.
Optus is one of Australia’s largest telecommunications providers, headquartered in Macquarie Park, New South Wales. They offer mobile phone plans (postpaid and prepaid), home internet (including NBN and 5G home internet), fixed-line phone services, business communication solutions, and entertainment services such as Optus Sport and content bundles. Customers can manage their services via the My Optus app or online account at optus.com.au, as well as in Optus retail stores and through phone support.
An Optus charge on your bank or card statement typically relates to a monthly mobile plan, NBN or 5G home internet service, prepaid recharge, device repayment (for phones, tablets, or modems), or add-ons like international calling packs or roaming. You may also see charges for Optus Sport or other entertainment add-ons, late fees, or one-off connection/activation fees. Some customers will notice temporary pre-authorisation holds when ordering a new service or device online, when updating payment details, or when Optus checks your card at the start of a billing cycle; these usually drop off automatically within a few days.
To verify an Optus charge, log in to your My Optus account or the My Optus app and compare your latest bill and payment history with the date and amount on your statement. Check all services on the account (including family members’ mobiles, data SIMs, dongles, and old services you may have forgotten to cancel), as well as any device repayments or add-ons. If something doesn’t match, contact Optus via the My Optus app messaging, online chat at optus.com.au, or by calling 13 39 37 (within Australia); you can request itemised billing, dispute third-party or premium charges, update or cancel subscriptions, and ask about refunds or credits for billing errors.
Bank Statement Variations
14 known variations
These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Optus.
Why am I seeing a monthly Optus charge when I thought my plan was paid off?
Even after you finish paying off a handset or device, your service plan (SIM-only or bundled) will usually continue month-to-month until you cancel or change it. The charge you see is likely the ongoing service fee for your mobile or internet plan, not the device repayment. Log in to My Optus and check under ‘Billing’ to see whether your device repayments have ended and what the current monthly plan fee is.
What are typical Optus mobile and internet charges I might see on my statement?
Postpaid Optus mobile plans commonly appear as monthly amounts like $49, $59, $69 or higher depending on data and inclusions, plus any device repayment (often $20–$60+ per month) if you’re paying off a phone. NBN and 5G home internet plans typically appear as flat monthly fees around $79–$99+ depending on speed tiers and add-ons. You may also see smaller amounts ($5–$20) for extras such as roaming packs, international call add-ons, or Optus Sport, as well as $10 late payment fees if a bill is overdue. All amounts are in AUD and can change over time, so always confirm current pricing on optus.com.au.
Why do I see a small or duplicate Optus charge, or a pending amount on my card?
Optus may place a temporary pre-authorisation hold on your card when you sign up for a new service, order a device online, or update your payment details. These holds can appear as small amounts or as a duplicate of your bill total, but they are not final charges and usually drop off within 3–7 business days, depending on your bank. If a pending amount remains for longer than a week or converts into a posted charge you don’t recognise, contact both your bank and Optus customer support for clarification.
How do I cancel or pause my Optus mobile or internet service to stop future charges?
To cancel a service, log in to My Optus (website or app), select the service you want to cancel, and follow the prompts under ‘Support’ or ‘Manage’ to request cancellation; in some cases you’ll be directed to chat or call 13 39 37 to finalise it. For postpaid services with device repayments or contract terms, you may incur early termination or remaining device payout fees, which will appear on your final bill. Optus does not generally offer a formal “pause” for postpaid services, but you may be able to switch to a lower-cost plan or remove add-ons instead—speak with support to review your options before cancelling.
How can I request a refund or credit for an Optus charge I think is incorrect?
First, review your detailed bill in My Optus to identify the specific item (e.g., roaming, third-party content, premium SMS, late fees, or data overage). If you believe there’s an error, contact Optus via the My Optus app messaging, online chat at optus.com.au, or by calling 13 39 37 and explain the dispute; have the charge date, amount, and your service number ready. Optus may issue a credit or refund where there has been a billing error or service fault, but some charges—such as valid international usage or third‑party subscriptions—may not be refundable. Your bank can also help if you need to lodge a formal chargeback for unauthorised transactions.
Why am I being charged by Optus when I cancelled or switched providers?
Optus bills in advance for most postpaid services, so you may still see a final pro‑rated bill or device payout charge after you cancel or port your number to another provider. In some cases, your cancellation may only take effect at the end of the current billing period, meaning one last regular bill is still due. Check the ‘Final bill’ in My Optus or any email/SMS confirmation for your disconnection date and itemised charges, and contact Optus support if you think a service was not properly cancelled.
Could this Optus charge be for roaming, premium services, or third‑party content?
Yes. If you recently travelled overseas, used data or calls while roaming, or purchased an Optus Travel Pack, those costs are often billed in arrears and can appear weeks after your trip. Optus bills some premium SMS, digital content, app subscriptions, or charity donations on behalf of third parties, so they show up on your Optus bill even though the service is provided by another company. You can see a breakdown of these under the ‘Third‑party charges’ or ‘Content services’ section of your bill and contact Optus to bar future premium or third‑party charges if you wish.
How do I match an Optus charge to the right account or service if I have multiple lines?
If you have several mobiles, tablets, or home services with Optus, payments may be grouped under one account number, causing a single combined charge on your bank statement. Log in to My Optus and check the ‘Billing’ section for the relevant account number, total amount, and list of services included on that bill. You can also request itemised PDF bills or speak to support to separate services onto different accounts if you want clearer, per‑service billing in the future.