How to Call Australia from the US: Complete Guide (2026)
Step-by-step guide to calling Australia from the US in 2026. Country code +61, dialing format, rates, time zones, and best calling apps.
Quick Answer:
Dial 011 + 61 + local number from a US landline, or +61 from a mobile phone. Rates from $0.0503/min with BubblyPhone.
Did you know? Australia's exit code is 0011 — so someone in Australia calling the US would dial 0011-1-XXX-XXX-XXXX.
Australia Country Code (+61)
The country code for Australia is +61. This code is required for all international calls to Australia — whether calling a mobile phone, landline, or business number.
Australia's International Dialing Code
From US Landline
011-61-XXX XXX XXXFrom Mobile / +
+61 XXX XXX XXXPhone numbers in Australia are typically 9 digits long (after the country code).
How to Dial Australia from the US: Step-by-Step
Dialing Format
011 + 61 + Local Number- 1Dial 011
This is the US international access code (exit code). From a mobile phone, you can hold "0" to get a
+instead. - 2Dial 61
Australia's country code. This routes the call to Australia's phone network.
- !Drop the leading 0
If the local number starts with 0, remove it. For example, if someone in Australia gives you 0XX-XXX-XXXX, dial XX-XXX-XXXX after the country code.
- 3Dial the local number
9 digits.
Visual Dialing Example
Here's how a complete call to Australia looks, with each part color-coded:
From US Landline
From US Mobile
Tip: From a cell phone, use +61 instead of 011-61. The "+" replaces the exit code and works from any country. BubblyPhone handles the formatting automatically — just enter the number with +61.
Common Mistakes When Calling Australia
Avoid these frequent dialing errors that can cause failed calls or wrong connections:
❌ Wrong
011-61-0XX...✅ Correct
011-61-XX...Drop the leading 0. Locals in Australia dial numbers starting with 0, but when calling internationally, omit it after the country code +61.
❌ Wrong
61-XXXXXXXX (missing exit code)✅ Correct
011-61-XXXXXXXXAlways dial 011 (US exit code) before Australia's country code. From a mobile phone, use + instead of 011.
❌ Wrong
Dialing too few or too many digits✅ Correct
9 digits after +61Australia numbers are 9 digits long (after the country code). If your call won't connect, check the digit count.
How Much Does It Cost to Call Australia?
The cost to call Australia from the US ranges from free (using WhatsApp or FaceTime) to $3-5/min with traditional carrier rates. Here's a breakdown:
Free (App-to-App)
$0.00
WhatsApp, FaceTime, Viber
(both need the app)
⭐ Best Value
$0.0503/min
BubblyPhone VoIP
(call any number)
Carrier Rates
$3.00+/min
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
(without int'l plan)
Cost for Common Call Durations
| Duration | BubblyPhone | Carrier ($3/min) | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | $0.25 | $15.00 | 98% |
| 10 minutes | $0.50 | $30.00 | 98% |
| 30 minutes | $1.51 | $90.00 | 98% |
| 60 minutes | $3.02 | $180.00 | 98% |
Note: Landline rates to Australia are $0.0503/min and mobile rates are $0.0993/min. The rate depends on whether you're calling a landline or mobile number.
Best Time to Call Australia from the US
Check the current local time in Australia before calling. The best window is between 9 AM and 9 PM local time.
Sydney
7:57 AM
Edge of polite hours
Melbourne
7:57 AM
Edge of polite hours
Brisbane
6:57 AM
Edge of polite hours
Perth
4:57 AM
Too early/late
Calling Windows by US Time Zone
To reach someone in Australia during reasonable hours (9 AM – 9 PM), call during these US times:
| Your Time Zone | Best Time to Call | Time Diff |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern (ET) | 6:00 PM→6:00 AM | -9h |
| Central (CT) | 5:00 PM→5:00 AM | -8h |
| Mountain (MT) | 4:00 PM→4:00 AM | -7h |
| Pacific (PT) | 3:00 PM→3:00 AM | -6h |
Cost Comparison: Ways to Call Australia
| Service | Rate/min | 30-min call | Pros / Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| BubblyPhone ⭐ | $0.0503 | $1.51 | Calls any number, no app install |
| Free | Free | Both need app + internet | |
| Google Voice | Varies | Varies | US account required, limited |
| Skype | ~$0.02-0.10 | ~$0.60-3.00 | Requires credits or subscription |
| AT&T (no plan) | ~$3.00 | ~$90.00 | Standard per-minute rate |
| Verizon (no plan) | ~$3.00 | ~$90.00 | Standard per-minute rate |
Australia Emergency Numbers
If you or someone you know is in Australia and needs emergency help, these are the numbers to dial:
Police
000
Ambulance
000
Fire
000
112 is the international emergency number and works in most countries. These local numbers can be dialed from any phone in Australia — no country code needed.
Call Australia with BubblyPhone in 3 Steps
Enter the Number
Type +61 followed by the local number
Click Call
Connect instantly with crystal-clear audio
Calls to Australia from just $0.0503/min — no subscription required