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How to Call Australia From the US: Complete Guide (+61)
Table of Contents
How to Dial Australia From the US
Australia uses the country code +61. Calling Australia from the US is simple once you understand the area code format.
Dialling Format
From a US phone: 011 + 61 + area code (without leading 0) + local number
From a mobile with + dialling: +61 + area code (without leading 0) + local number
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Australian landline area codes are single digits (02, 03, 07, 08). Drop the 0 when calling from the US.
Example Calls
Australian Area Codes
Cost Comparison: Calling Australia
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Australia is an English-speaking country with excellent mobile infrastructure. FaceTime and WhatsApp work well for free calls.
Best Time to Call Australia
Australia spans three time zones: AEST (UTC+10), ACST (UTC+9:30), and AWST (UTC+8). Major cities like Sydney and Melbourne use AEST.
- 15 hours ahead of ET (AEST): 9 AM in New York = midnight in Sydney (next day)
- 18 hours ahead of PT: 9 AM in LA = 3 AM in Sydney (next day)
- Best window from ET: 6-8 PM ET = 9-11 AM AEST (morning in Sydney)
- Best window from PT: 3-5 PM PT = 9-11 AM AEST (morning in Sydney)
The large time gap means US evening calls catch the Australian morning. This is the sweet spot for most calls.
Tips for Calling Australia
- FaceTime works great: Most Australians have iPhones with excellent coverage. FaceTime is free and reliable.
- Drop the 0: The most common mistake is keeping the leading 0 from area codes. Sydney is 61 2, not 61 02.
- Mobile numbers start with 04: All Australian mobile numbers begin with 04. They are 10 digits total.
- Public holidays vary by state: Each Australian state has different public holidays. Check before calling businesses.
Summary
To call Australia from the US, dial 011 + 61 + area code (without 0) + number. BubblyPhone offers $0.01/min rates. Sydney is 15 hours ahead of ET, so US evening calls catch the Australian morning.
