Those who have tried to call an Australian number from the United Kingdom know that it is easier said than done. What looks pretty straightforward on paper throws one complexity after another the moment you start dialling the number.
This can be very annoying, especially if the international call is regarding something important. So, to help you out, we have answered 10 questions that most people who attempt to make a call to Australia from the United Kingdom may have. These questions cover the basics and some very specific topics related to making an international call.
How can I call Australia from the UK?
Let’s kick off with the basics. To make a call to a number in Australia from the UK, you have to know about the following numbers.
- The international prefix (also known as the exit code)
- The country code for Australia
- The area code for the specific location in Australia (required if you are calling a landline number)
- The 10-digit Australian number you would like to call
So, if you are calling an Australian mobile number from the UK, it would look something like this - 00 61 4XX XXX XXX
If you are calling an Australian landline number from the UK, follow this template - 00 61 2 XXXX XXXX
Here is a breakdown of the templates above:
00: International prefix
61: Australia country code
4/2: 4 is used for mobile numbers. 2 is the area code for Sydney. Area codes are only used when dialling landline numbers. These codes will usually have a 0 in front of them, however that should be omitted when calling an Australian number from outside the country.
XXXX XXXX: The mobile/landline number you’d like to call.
What is the difference between 00 61 and +61?
Both are exit codes that are used to call Australia from the UK. The major difference is their usage. 00 61 is used when calling an Australian landline number from the UK. +61 is used when calling an Australian mobile number from the UK. The plus “+” symbol is a universal substitute for 00. You can safely use one of the two when making an international call to Australia from the UK.
What should I do if my call to Australia won’t connect?
It’s quite normal for people to not get things right the first time around. Here are a few reasons why your call to an Australian mobile or landline number won’t connect.
- You’ve entered the incorrect country code.
- You’re calling a landline number, and you have entered the wrong area code.
- You’ve entered an incorrect mobile number. Remember you have to omit the “0” from “04” when dialling an Australian mobile number.
- Your current plan does not have the relevant benefits or credits to call an Australian number.
What are the different area codes in Australia?
Area codes are used when someone wants to connect to an Australian landline number. The codes are categorised based on the state and territory. Here are the four regions in Australia and their area codes.
| Area Code | Region |
| 02 | New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory |
| 03 | Victoria & Tasmania |
| 07 | Queensland |
| 08 | Western Australia, South Australia & Northern Territory |
The table below lists the area codes of popular Australian cities.
| City | Region | Area Code | Number Format |
| Sydney | New South Wales | 02 | |
| Melbourne | Victoria | 03 | |
| Hobart | Tasmania | 03 | |
| Brisbane | Queensland | 07 | |
| Perth | Western Australia | 08 | |
| Adelaide | South Australia | 08 | |
| Darwin | Northern Territory | 08 |
What is the time zone difference between Australia and the United Kingdom?
Australia is a huge country and has three different time zones. Understanding the time zone the number you are about to call belongs to is important. The last thing you would want is to make a call late at night or early in the morning. Here are the three time zones in Australia.
- Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)
- Australian Central Standard Time (ACST)
- Australian Western Standard Time (AWST)
The table below shows the regions that follow the above-mentioned time zones.
| Time Zone | Region |
| AEST | New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania & the Australian Capital Territory |
| ACST | South Australia & Northern Territory |
| AWST | Western Australia |
Now that you know the time zones and the regions in Australia, let’s look at the time difference between these regions and the UK.
| Region | Time Difference |
| Western Australia | 7 hours ahead |
| Northern Territory, South Australia | 8.5 hours ahead |
| Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania & the Australian Capital Territory | 9 hours ahead |
How much does it cost to make a call to Australia from the UK?
International calling isn’t normally on the cheap side. But However, most network providers in the UK often include international calling, either as an add-on or part of their calling benefits.
Some of the top MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) in the UK, like Lyca Mobile, include international calling benefits along with their PAYG plans. Their best-selling plans, like the UK Plan Smart, the National Plus, and the UK Plan Unlimited, include dedicated international minutes to select countries. Your international calling needs will be met with one of these plans.
50% Off 1st 3 Months
- EU Roaming included
- 1000 UK calls and texts
- 100 International minutes free
- EU Roaming (Data Cap 5GB)
50% Off 1st 3 Months
- Unlimited UK calls and texts
- 100 international minutes free
- EU Roaming (Data Cap up to 12GB)
- China Roaming (Data Cap up to 500MB)
To give you rough numbers, making an international call to Australia can cost anywhere between 3p and £3 per minute. This can differ based on the operator and the international calling benefits included in your current plan.
What is the length of an Australian mobile number?
Australian mobile numbers are 10 digits long. Mobile numbers start with “04” followed by eight digits. Landline numbers, on the other hand, start with an area code followed by eight digits. These formats undergo slight changes when calling from the UK. For mobile numbers, the 0 in 04 is omitted. As for landline numbers, the area codes are entered without the 0.
What is the calling code for Australia?
The calling code for Australia is 61. You must enter the calling code 61 with the prefix 00 if you are calling an Australian number from the UK. Note that if you are calling an Australian mobile number, you can replace the 00 with the plus “+” symbol.
What is the best time to call Australia from the UK?
Australia is approximately 7 to 9 hours ahead of the UK. So, if you plan to call someone in Australia from the UK, try between 7 and 10 AM UK time. These timings correspond to late afternoon or evening in Australia and are a good time to make a call. A time slot to avoid is between 1 and 5 PM UK time. This is the middle of the night in Australia..
Can I call Australia for free?
Yes, you can call Australia for free. In terms of traditional calling, if your current plan includes calling benefits for Australia, then all you have to do is follow the correct template. That aside, you can call an Australian number from the UK via the internet.
VoIP apps like WhatsApp, Signal and Discord allow you to make international calls through the internet, be it mobile internet or Wi-Fi. The only requirement is that both the caller and the recipient need a stable internet connection and the updated version of the apps installed on their phones.
Conclusion
We’ve addressed some important questions related to making an international call from Australia to the UK. Hope this clears things up regarding the topic. Before you make the call, remember to keep the time zone difference in mind.
And, if you are calling a landline number, you’ll have to enter the area code along with the international prefix and the country code for Australia. Also, make sure your current plan has international calling benefits for Australia. You have multiple methods to call an Australian number from the UK. Just pick one that you find convenient. Happy calling!