How to Call Australia from the UK? A Comprehensive Guide

Making international calls can sometimes be tricky, especially when dialing from one country to another with different phone formats and codes. If you’re in the UK and need to call Australian phone number from the UK, it’s important to understand the dialing process to ensure that your call connects successfully. 

Australia, with its unique area codes and country code, requires a precise format for international dialing. Whether you’re calling friends, family, or business contacts, knowing the right steps will save you time and avoid confusion. 

In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know about how to call an Australian phone number from the UK, using international call prefixes, tips for finding the cheapest way to call Australia from the UK, and different ways to make your call.

Let’s dive in!!!!!🚀🚀

Understanding the Australian Phone Format

To make an international call to Australia, you need to know the correct number format, which includes UK to Australia international call prefixes, area codes, and local phone numbers. Here’s a more detailed look at how to correctly format your call to Australia:

1. Country Code for Australia: +61

• UK Exit Code: To make an international call from the UK, you use the UK exit code, which is 00. This tells the phone network that you’re making an international call.  You may also use a plus sign (+) in place of 00 for mobile calls, especially when dialing Australia from UK mobile.
• Australia’s Country Code: +61 Every country has its own country code for international calls. For Australia, this is 61. This code must be used whenever you are calling into Australia from another country.

For example, to call Australia from a UK landline to a Sydney phone number (12345678), you would dial: 00 + 61 + 2 + 12345678

Where:

• 00 is the UK exit code,
• 61 is the country code for Australia,
• 2 is Sydney’s area code, and
• 12345678 is the local phone number.

Area codes in Australia

Australia is divided into different regions, each with a specific area code. Here are some of the area codes for major cities in Australia in a table format:

Phone Number Format

Once you have the exit code, country code, and area code, you can dial the full phone number. Australian local numbers generally have 8 digits for landlines and 10 digits for mobile phones.

Example 1: Calling a Sydney Landline
If you want to call Australia mobile from the UK, such as 1234 5678, you will dial:

• UK Exit Code: 00
• Australia Country Code: 61
• Sydney Area Code: 2 (omit the leading zero)
• Local Number: 1234 5678

The full dialing format would be:
00 + 61 + 2 + 1234 5678

If calling from a mobile phone:
+61 + 2 + 1234 5678

Example 2: Calling an Australian Mobile Number
If you want to call Australian mobile from the UK, such as 0412 345 678, you must drop the leading zero. The number will start with 412 345 678 when dialing internationally.

• UK Exit Code: 00
• Australia Country Code: 61
• Mobile Number (omit the leading 0): 412 345 678

The full dialing format would be:
00 + 61 + 412 345 678

If calling from a mobile phone:
+61 + 412 345 678

How to Call Australia from the UK? Step by Step

Let’s go through the exact process of making a call to Australia from the UK, whether you’re using a mobile, landline, or VoIP service:

1. Dial the UK Exit Code (00): To start your international call, dial 00 or the + symbol on your phone.
2. Add the Australian Country Code (61): After the UK exit code, dial 61, which is Australia’s country code.
3. Include the Area Code: The area code is crucial. For Sydney, the area code is 2. For Melbourne, it’s 3.
4. Dial the Local Number: Finally, input the local phone number of the person or business you’re calling. Local numbers typically have 8 digits.

Example:
To call someone in Sydney from the UK, you would dial:
00 61 2 12345678

List of Popular Australian Area Codes

Here’s a table of popular Australian area codes:

Tips for calling Australia numbers from the UK mobile

Here are some helpful tips to make sure you’re getting the best deal when calling Australia from your UK mobile:

1. Check your mobile plan

Before making an international call, check if your mobile plan includes international calls. Some plans let you call Australia mobile from the UK, but some don’t. If your plan doesn’t include international calls, you might need to add something extra or pay a little more. To avoid surprises, ask your phone company if you need to change your plan to call Australia from the UK landline. This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect when you make the call.

2. Use a calling app

A great way to save money is by using free international calling apps to Australia from UK  like WhatsApp, Skype, or Viber. These apps let you call over the Internet, which is cheaper than regular phone calls, especially for long-distance ones. If both you and the person you’re calling use the same app, the call might even be free. Just make sure you have a strong internet connection so the call is clear and doesn’t have problems.

3. Call during off-peak hours

Another way to lower your phone bill is to make calls during times when rates are cheaper. Many phone companies have lower prices during these hours. Usually, these times are from about 11 PM to 6 AM. If you can wait to make your call, doing it during these hours could save you money.

4. Beware of hidden charges

Some phone companies charge extra for international calls that aren’t always clear. These extra costs might include fees for connecting, per-minute charges, or special fees for international calls. To avoid unexpected charges, always ask your phone company about the total cost of calling Australia from the UK, so you know exactly how much you’ll pay before you make the call.

Different Methods to Call Australia from the UK

Here are the different methods to call Australia from the UK:

I. Landline Calls

Making a call to Australia from a UK landline is one of the most traditional methods. However, it can be more expensive than using mobile phones or internet-based services. Here’s how to do it:

Steps for Calling Australia from a UK Landline:

1. Dial the UK exit code: Begin by dialing 00. This signals that you are making an international call.
2. Dial the Australian country code: After the exit code, dial 61, which is the country code for Australia.
3. Dial the area code: For example, Sydney’s area code is 2, while Melbourne’s is 3.
4. Dial the local number: Complete the call by dialing the recipient’s local number (typically 8 digits).

Example: To call Australia from a UK landline to a Sydney number (12345678), you would dial: 

00 61 2 12345678

II. Mobile Calls

Using a mobile phone to call Australia from the UK is convenient but can also be costly if you don’t have an international calling plan or a good deal from your service provider. Here’s how to dial:

Steps for Calling Australia from a UK Mobile:

1. Dial the exit code: Use 00 or the plus sign (+) to initiate the international call.
2. Dial the country code: Enter 61, the country code for Australia.
3. Include the area code: Remember to include the correct area code for the region you’re calling (e.g., 2 for Sydney, 3 for Melbourne).
4. Dial the local number: Complete the number with the recipient’s 8-digit local number.

Example: To call a Melbourne number (98765432) from the UK, you would dial:

 00 61 3 98765432 or +61 3 98765432

III. VoIP Services

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services are becoming more popular for international calls because they are cheaper and more flexible. With VoIP, you can make calls using the Internet instead of regular phone lines, which helps save money.

Popular VoIP services include:

• Skype
• Google Voice
• Zoom
• WhatsApp (for voice calls)

Steps for Calling Australia through VoIP:

1. Sign up for a VoIP service: You’ll need an internet connection and a VoIP account (e.g., Skype, Google Voice, etc.).
2. Add credits or subscribe to a plan: Depending on the service, you may need to purchase credits for making calls to mobile or landline numbers in Australia.
3. Dial the Australian number: After logging into the VoIP service, dial the number just like you would on a regular phone, using the international format +61 for Australia, followed by the area code and local number.

Example: To call a Brisbane landline (0434123456) through Skype, you would dial:

 +61 7 0434123456

IV. Mobile Apps

Mobile apps provide a great way to make calls to Australia for free or at a much lower cost than traditional phone services. These apps use your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) to make calls, avoiding the need for expensive international call charges.

Popular Apps for Calling Australia:

• WhatsApp
• Viber
• Facebook Messenger
• FaceTime (for Apple devices)
• Google Hangouts

Steps for Calling Australia Using a Mobile App:

1. Download the app: Make sure both you and the person you’re calling have the app installed.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data: For the best call quality, use a strong and stable internet connection.
3. Find the contact: Use the app to find your contact in Australia, either by their phone number or username.
4. Make the call: Tap the call button to initiate the voice or video call.

Example: To call a friend in Melbourne using WhatsApp:

• Open WhatsApp
• Find your friend’s contact
• Press the call icon.