How to Make a Call to Australia

Making a phone call to Australia from anywhere around the world is straightforward. Before you make the call, you need to check the time in Australia and gather important details such as your international exit code (e.g., 00 for the UK and New Zealand, 011 for the USA and Canada), Australia's country code (61), the area or city code, and the local phone number. You can make the call from your home phone or mobile, or explore cheaper alternatives for international communication.

Dial your country's international exit code. This code enables you to place a call to another country and is also referred to as the 'international access code.' Every country has its own specific code, so you'll need to find the one that applies to your location. You can search online or check the front page of your phone directory.

• Examples of exit codes: United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany = 00, USA and Canada = 011. To locate your exit code, visit https://www.howtocallabroad.com/codes.html.

Enter 61, Australia's country code. This code is required to link your call from your country to Australia. After dialing your exit code, you must input Australia's country code (61).

• Your dialing sequence should now be your country’s exit code followed by 61. For example, calling from London would be 00-61.

Input the correct Australian area or city code without the leading zero, or use ‘4’ for mobile numbers. This code, which is 1-2 digits, helps route your call to the right geographic area in Australia. You can easily find the code for the city you are calling by doing an online search with the city name and 'Australia area code'.

• Examples of area codes: Sydney and Gold Coast = 02, Melbourne and Tasmania = 03, Brisbane = 07. Remember, do not use the leading '0' when dialing from abroad! The '0' is only used for domestic calls within Australia.
• If the number starts with 1-2 digits in brackets (e.g., (02) 555-5555), that’s likely the area code.

Dial the 8-digit local number and hit the call button. This is the phone number of the person, business, or mobile you are trying to reach in Australia. Press the call button and wait for the ringing sound that indicates your call is connecting.

• If you don't know the number, you can request it via email, social media, or find it online if it's a business or organization.

Use an online video messaging app if you have a stable Internet connection. If you're calling a friend or relative, suggest a video chat instead. Many apps offer this feature for free. To connect, both you and your contact must have the app installed on your mobile device or computer, and you must both be added as contacts. To start the call, simply select their name within the app.

• Popular video messaging apps include Skype, Snapchat, and Facebook Messenger.
• Ensure both parties have a strong internet connection to avoid call disruptions.
• This option is best for personal calls, not business inquiries. For business calls, make a traditional phone call instead.

Use an online audio messaging app if you prefer free calls. Audio calls work similarly to video calls, but without the camera feature. This is an excellent alternative if your internet connection isn't fast enough to handle video calls. Both parties must install the same app and add each other as contacts to initiate the call.

• Popular audio messaging apps include Snapchat, Viber, and Facebook Messenger. Download your selected app to your mobile phone or computer.

Use a VoIP service to lower your calling costs. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) apps allow you to make international calls at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional phone services. Unlike video and audio messaging apps, VoIP lets you call both mobile phones and landlines.

• VoIP services are provided by companies like Skype, Viber, and Google+ Hangouts, and can be installed on your phone or computer.
• When using VoIP, ensure you dial the full phone number, including all necessary country and area codes.

• Check the local time before calling to avoid reaching your contact during the night. Australia operates under three standard time zones: Australian Western Standard Time (AWST), Australian Central Standard Time (ACST), and Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). These time zones are typically 13 to 15 hours ahead of United States Eastern Standard Time (EST).