I plan on buying an iPhone, probably with telstra. But im under 18, does this mean i cannot go into the contract at all, or do i need a guarantor to sign with me or can only my parents sign?

[Edit - it's not a general question about contracts, so I've renamed the thread.]

you will need a guarantor...which means if you don't pay your bills its their balls that are busted. (figuratively speaking)

Yep - you need an adult there to be responsible if you don't pay.

dont worry i can definently afford the bills.

Unless mobile phone services are considered a 'necessity' (arguable) a telco can't really enforce a contract made by a minor as it's likely that the minor didn't really have the capacity to enter into the contract in the first place.

So it's likely that a parent or guardian will have to contract on your behalf - regardless of how well cashed up you are.

you can afford the bills, i cant atm.

where do you work... im stuck at woolies atm...

epic fail.

I have money stashed from my savings when I used to have a casual job + I'll be applying for multiple jobs on November 5, so I'm set!

You will have to put the contract in a guardians name - and they won't budge on this.

When my children wanted phones, I made enquiries. I was told that it wasn't the contract that was the problem. Providing the necessary 100 (?) points for identification that caused most minors the problem.
Cheers,
Andrew

Thats's easy, learners permit, bank card/medicare card, letter from the bank (e.g. statement) with your address on it.

Pretty sure you have to actually be 18 to sign up for a phone contract in Australia?

im sure you'll know if you've done something wrong on the day.
lol
just make sure you have your folks on a leash or something. :P

ditto.

Which explains why a minor needs an adult (over 18) parent/guardian to sign up to a contract.

thats whats brilliant about being U18.
your parents still buy your food etc. for you and whatever cash you have you can spend on whatever you want.
the day i have to start paying for things by myself will be a sad say indeed.

Just to answer the title to the thread, as simple as I can, since everyone's giving somewhat complicated answers.

The answer is No.

That simple, you cannot sign up to a plan unless you're 18 or over. I should know, my first mobile plan was when I was 17, I'm still on it and it's in my mothers name, I just haven't bothered to change the plan to my name, and I'm not going to bother because I'm going to cancel it in a month anyway, and sign up to the iPhone plan under my name.