Then why do all the telcos have business plans that are discounted if you quote an ABN, morgan?

Not that I'm doubting you, but what's the point for them?

Generally hoping to make it up in bulk, i.e., multiple employees having phones?

It doesn't make sense to me, thats my question WHY, unless they are trying to differentiate business customers from others and compete differently.

Also getting an ABN is not that hard, and as long as you dont register for the gst no paperwork either. Not that any of my posts constitute advice, and my comments are of a general nature and one would need to get specific personal advice.

what about those of us that are now 18, but have to credit cards or credit histories?

You should go into a store and ask them before the 11th. See if they can do a check to see whether you will be eligible prior to lining up for a day.

It's a marketing thing. They think (mostly correctly) that business customer's spend more on phone bills.

As a "private citizen" my wife and I used to spend about $100 a month collectively. Now as a business, it's about $550 a month on mobiles.

Good question, i need to know the answer for this as well

You don't need a credit card, and you don't need a 'credit history'. As long as you've never failed to pay back debt, or not under a considerable amount of debt, you'll be fine.

Haha, how would they know if you've ever failed to pay back a debt or not under a debt :P

I understand though, just stiring haha. Thanks!

Companies that give credit/loan money etc. report to credit check companies. When you sign up for credit or a loan, the bank/company calls one of these companies who check their records and report what they see to the person you are with, who then approve/deny the loan. Obviously paying debt to a friend/family member can't be tracked.

Who needs the 100 point ID, the minor and/or the parent/guardian?

Thanks,

Whoever's name is on the contract as the payer/guarantor of the bill.

In other words, if you are under 18, your parent or guardian. If you are over 18 and still need a guarantor, then it would be whoever that guarantor is.

That's just common sense though, so you should make sure with the relevant telco (as we all know that common sense is not necessarily their strong suit).

My information is a couple of years old, but people who worked in the social services sector (youth, poverty, unemployment type stuff) told me that they had many examples of kids under 18 having mobile phones in their own names and being hugely in debt to the telco. this is even tho they were under 18.

I'm guessing that if you shop around enough you mind find a reseller who will overlook the fact that you are under 18 and sign you up anyway. But things might have changed for the better now.

Yup. I signed up to my first mobile contract when I was just over 19, but with no job, credit, access to savings (I had none anyway) or any money at all other than the cash I got from my parents. I didn't even have much ID on me - all I had was my proof of age photo ID and Medicare card.

Generally these days it's all done with purchase orders from places like The Salvation Army, Employment Plus etc. They'll call the stores ahead of sending someone down with a purchase order, quote a cheap phone, grab the IMEI etc, and send one of the "kids" down with a purchase order to collect it. Don't think many of them would do plans, however.