In this Starlink Mini guide:
For years, Sky Muster NBN was the only widespread satellite internet service available to Aussies in regional and rural areas. Nowadays, Starlink is available all over Australia. But while Starlink Residential was the first iteration of SpaceX’s low-orbit, high-speed satellite internet service, a Starlink Mini kit is built to travel with you via a Starlink Roam plan.
Before we get into everything you need to know about Starlink Mini and Starlink Roam in Australia, check out popular satellite internet plans from our database.
What is Starlink Mini?
Starlink Mini in Australia refers to the antenna “kit” that’s a smaller version of the residential and commercial Starlink kits, which are built to stay at a fixed address. The Starlink Mini price in Australia is $599 RRP. Whether you buy direct from SpaceX or from a retailer, here’s what comes with the Starlink Mini kit:
- Starlink Mini antenna (with integrated WiFi)
- Kickstand
- Mini pipe adapter and flat mount
- 15-metre DC power cable
- Power supply
- Starlink plug
SpaceX describes the Starlink Mini as a low-power, compact internet solution. It weighs 1.1kg and has tidy 298.5x259x38.5mm dimensions. Average power usage is rated between 25W and 40W, and the Starlink Mini has an IP67 dust/water rating. Starlink Mini also has 96km/h operation wind resistance. In extreme cold, the Starlink Mini can melt up to 25mm of snow per hour, plus it’s rated for use in up to 50°C temperatures.
As you’d hope from a mobile broadband device, Starlink Mini has an inbuilt WiFi router, albeit an older-gen dual-band WiFi 5 networking device. There’s a single Ethernet port if you’d prefer to connect the Starlink Mini to an external router, modem-router, or mesh WiFi system, though that’s less practical for a device intended for use while driving or when you’re out and about. The only coverage disclaimer is that the Starlink Mini antenna needs a clear view of the sky to use a Starlink Roam plan.
What is the Starlink Roam Australia price?
There are two Starlink Roam plans in Australia. Starlink Roam has a cheaper $80-per-month version that’s limited to 80GB of monthly data. For unlimited data, there’s a Starlink Roam plan for $195 per month. Note that the unlimited-data plan is pricier than the $139-per-month Starlink Residential plan for fixed usage with the Starlink Standard kit. Here’s a look at Starlink Mini Australia plans from our database.
Whether you opt for the 50GB or unlimited plan, Starlink Roam has a $599 RRP fee for the Starlink Mini kit, plus $19 shipping and handling. The Starlink Mini kit should be with you in one to two weeks. All Starlink plans come with a 30-day trial of sorts (more on this below), so you can get a full refund if you cancel during the trial period.
According to SpaceX estimates, Starlink Roam plans have between 65Mbps and 260Mbps download speeds, plus 15Mbps and 35Mbps upload speeds. Latency is reportedly under 99ms, which is higher than the 25–60ms estimated for Starlink Residential plans.
Where is Starlink Roam available in Australia?
According to the Starlink availability map, Starlink internet is available everywhere in Australia. For Starlink Roam users, that means you can travel anywhere in Australia and, as long as there are clear skies, you should be able to use Starlink Roam internet. Starlink Roam coverage includes inland waterways, marinas, and in-motion use.
You can also use the Starlink Roam plans internationally in 150+ supported countries for up to two months. If you stay longer than two months, SpaceX may contact you and request you transfer your account to a different region. Note that Starlink Roam unlimited-data users can optionally pay for ‘Ocean Mode’, which enables internet coverage past 12 nautical miles.
What’s worth flagging from the Starlink Roam terms and conditions?
If you buy the Starlink Roam 50GB plan and use up all of your monthly data, you won’t be able to use the internet until the next month ticks over. The only exception is you will have access to your Starlink account, where you can change plans.
Note that the 30-day trial is a pay-to-play deal. Basically, that trial ends either when you activate your Starlink kit or 30 days after Starlink ships your Starlink Mini kit (whichever is earlier). Your monthly payment cycle, then, is determined by that first charge date. Any monthly fees paid in advance aren’t refundable.
The Starlink Roam critical information summary (CIS) has a lower range for download and upload speeds than what’s on the Starlink plan page. For downloads, the CIS says users can expect between 30Mbps and 100Mbps. For uploads, it’s between 10Mbps and 30Mbps. Starlink Roam’s uptime isn’t listed on the SpaceX website, but the CIS lists 99% (greater than or equal to).
There are many factors listed in the CIS that can impact Starlink Roam performance, including:
- Improper installation
- Angle of the dish (or field of view)
- Weather, including extreme climate events
- Connection quality of personal devices (and device interference)
- Proximity to other Starlink kits
- Quality and positioning of cables
- Reliability of power source
- Proximity/location of user equipment
- Too many devices connected
- Damage/deterioration of Starlink equipment
It’s also worth highlighting that SpaceX only rates the life expectancy of the Starlink Mini kit for “a minimum of 12 months after delivery”. While Starlink Roam allows for in-motion use at speeds up to 724km/h, the CIS notes that “the service may not be used while the dish is in motion”, clarifying it’s a portable service that can be used in different fixed locations. Starlink Roam users from Australia report not having issues with in-motion use.
What accessories are there for the Starlink Mini?
When you buy a Starlink Roam plan from SpaceX, there are a couple of optional Starlink Mini accessories available at checkout. The Mini Car Adapter costs $92 and acts as a Starlink Mini 12v adapter to power your Starlink Mini kit via USB-C. There’s also the Starlink Router Mini for $68, which is a dual-band WiFi 6 mesh router that can expand your WiFi coverage.
There is a range of third-party Starlink Mini accessories, too, including a range of Starlink Mini mount options. There are basic or fully enclosed Starlink Mini roof rack mounts on Amazon for cars, 4WDs, and RVs. Other Starlink Mini accessories include cables (like USB-C to DC or longer 12v adapters), waterproof custom storage and protective cases, external power adapters, as well as tripods and mounts.
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