Devices
Mobile devices for work
Choose and manage work phones and tablets by role, ownership, security, updates, coverage and data costs.
A small Australian business can set up work phones and tablets by matching devices to tasks, then deciding ownership, baseline security, support responsibility and budget. Plan purchase, connectivity and management together, including device and accessory costs, mobile service, and management or support charges.
A phone for calls and appointments may need a different setup from a tablet for job records at customer sites. This overview covers work requirements, ownership, baseline controls, support and ongoing costs.
Start with the work
List the roles that need mobile access and the tasks each must complete. Include calls, messages, forms, photos, approvals and shared files where relevant. Note poor reception and which tasks must work offline.
Use that list to assess screen size, battery life, charging, protective accessories and app compatibility. Check coverage along the team's routes, not just at the office. A coverage map is a starting point; a trial on important routes is a useful purchase check where practical.
A phone shortlist might include an Apple iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Motorola or OPPO. For tablets, compare iPad and Android tablets against the team's apps, screen needs and field conditions.
Vodafone reports coverage across around 1,200,000 square kilometres nationally and provides a coverage checker. Check the chosen provider's coverage on important routes, and trial it where practical.
Key Mobile Connectivity and Security Metrics for Australian Businesses
- Australian Consumer Law Rights
- Entitles consumers to repairs, replacements or refunds for faulty devices
- Cybersecurity Guideline
- Enforce screen locks, encryption and updates for all work devices
Decide who owns the device
Business-owned devices are easier to standardise, support and reassign. They often suit shared equipment or roles that need stronger control over device settings. Employee-owned devices may suit narrower work access if the business can protect work information and explain its requirements to staff.
Controls depend on the platform, enrolment method and management service. Some setups can separate managed work apps and data from personal use; business-owned devices may allow stronger controls. Availability varies by device and configuration.
Where personal devices are allowed, explain which work apps and data are managed and what remains personal. Check what the service can see, restrict or remove on that platform before staff enrol.
Platform workflows may involve Android Enterprise, Apple Business Manager or Managed Google Play. Verify that the chosen management service and device support the relevant enrolment route, and check the actual controls available.
Pros and Cons of Business-Owned vs Employee-Owned Devices
- Business-Owned DevicesPros: Standardisation, stronger security controls, easier reassignment. Cons: Higher upfront cost, more administrative overhead.
- Employee-Owned DevicesPros: Lower business cost, higher staff satisfaction. Cons: Weaker control over data, risk of personal use interfering with work security.
Set a secure baseline
Before granting work access, require a screen lock, check encryption and enable supported updates. Give staff approved ways to use work accounts and store files. Limit local copies to what the job requires.
A mobile device management service can help enforce passwords, check encryption, deploy apps and report device status. Compare application allow-or-block controls and data-loss prevention features where supported.
Record how a missing device is reported and who can remove its work access. Keep essential records in an approved shared system so a lost or broken phone is not the only copy.
Pre-Deployment Checklist for Work Mobile Devices in Australia
- Screen lock enabledRequired for all work devices
- Device encryption activeEnsure full-disk encryption is turned on
- Automatic updates enabledTo maintain security patches and compliance
- Work data stored only in approved systemsAvoid local copies unless necessary for offline tasks
- Lost device reporting process documentedInclude who can revoke access and how quickly
Assign ongoing responsibility
Record each device or enrolled work profile, its user, required apps, update status and service plan. For shared devices, include a handover check for sign-in, charging and unfinished work.
Give field staff a workable time to connect, charge and restart devices for updates. If a device no longer receives security updates, plan to replace it or remove its work access.
Review mobile bills against the team's actual usage and plan inclusions. Budget separately for phones or tablets, protective accessories, mobile-plan charges and any management or support costs; ask suppliers for current prices and show repayments separately.
Vodafone offers selected Android phones with interest-free repayments over 12, 24, 36 or 48 months on selected plans. If the plan is cancelled, the remaining phone balance is due on the next bill; Vodafone also gives a 24-month repair warranty for faulty Android phones, in addition to rights under Australian Consumer Law.
Mobile device management (MDM) can centralise enrolment, settings, app deployment, status reporting and remote troubleshooting. Compare platform support and features such as bulk enrolment, app management, security controls and reporting with the device mix and available IT expertise.
Miradore suits diverse operating systems and limited IT staff, and has a free plan. AirDroid Business is an option for Android and Windows devices with remote control; Mosyle suits Apple-only fleets; Cisco Meraki suits larger budgets needing integrated network and mobile management; Ivanti suits complex, diverse fleets with dedicated IT; and Microsoft Intune suits businesses using Microsoft products such as Windows and Microsoft 365.
Check Miradore's current terms and limits before budgeting around its free plan. Compare management and support charges with handset, accessory and mobile-plan costs.
Name a first contact for enrolment, app access and routine troubleshooting. Set an escalation route to whoever manages the MDM or service.
Before issuing devices, assign responsibility for routine events. These include a new starter, a lost phone, an overdue update, a coverage gap and a worker leaving.
Setting Up Secure Work Mobile Devices: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Identify roles and tasks requiring mobile accessInclude calls, messages, forms, photos, approvals and shared files
- Choose ownership model (business-owned or employee-owned)Business-owned allows stronger control; employee-owned requires clear data separation
- Set a secure baselineRequire screen locks, encryption, approved app usage and update checks
- Assign ongoing responsibilityRecord device details, update status, service plans and assign contacts for support
- Select and implement MDM solutionChoose based on device mix, IT expertise and budget (e.g., Miradore, Mosyle, Intune)
In this guide
- Choosing business-owned versus employee-owned devicesCompare business-owned and employee-owned mobiles by control, privacy, shared use, support and exit arrangements.
- Protecting work data on a lost phoneRespond to a missing work phone by containing account access, checking remote actions and assessing exposed data.
- Managing updates on field devicesPlan updates for field phones and tablets, verify installation and address overdue or unsupported devices.
- Reviewing mobile data costs for a travelling teamUse bills, plan summaries, coverage checks and overseas roaming terms to review a travelling team's mobile data costs.
