[qxcv]

The Australia remark is utter bullshit. From Wikipedia:

> In Australia, carriers can choose whether to SIM/Network Lock handsets or not and usually tend to only SIM/Network lock prepaid handsets. There does not appear to be any regulation or law on SIM locking in Australia.

Most phones can be unlocked for free by the carrier after a few years, but if you want it unlocked upfront (usually before passing n years or sometimes $k of credit in the case of prepaid phones), you'll have to pay the carrier.

[girvo]

Actually, you're incorrect, at least Optus[0]. All android handsets on contract are unlocked out of the box, and all iPhones are unlocked free of charge any time in the contract.

[0] I used to work for them up until this year