Australia - Telephone Services

Australia has a modern and competitive telephone system. You can make local calls, long-distance calls within Australia (STD), and International Direct Dialling (IDD) calls.Local calls from public payphones are untimed and charged at $A0.40. Long distance and international calls are usually timed. Public payphones accept Australian coins and some accept credit cards and pre-paid phone cards. 

USA and Canadian callers using AT&T can call 1800 881 011 toll free while in Australia to call home. This international toll free call number is available from any telephone in Australia. 

Mobile phones

Mobile phones are available for rent, or bring your mobile phone with you. Australia’s mobile network operates on the 900 and 1800 bands for GSM and 800 for CDMA. Contact your telecommunications carrier for activating international roaming while you are visiting Australia. 

Email and Internet

Internet and email access is readily available at countless Internet cafes, hotels, hostels and libraries. Australia uses RJ-45 telephone plugs and Telstra EXI-160 four-pin plugs. If your connection is not correct go to a local electronic shop. Also check that your PC-card modem is suitable in Australia. An easy way to access Internet and email is via one of the many free web-based email services such as Hotmail or Yahoo.