Ever found yourself staring blankly at your phone, unsure of how to dial that crucial number to the States? Connecting with friends, family, or business contacts in the USA from Australia can seem daunting, especially with different time zones, country codes, and dialing procedures. Incorrect dialing can lead to frustration, wasted time, and even unnecessary charges. Knowing the correct process is essential for seamless communication, whether it's for a quick chat, an important business deal, or staying in touch with loved ones across the Pacific.
Mastering the art of international calling ensures you can effortlessly reach anyone in the United States. This knowledge saves time, prevents costly errors, and ultimately strengthens your connections with people and opportunities across the globe. In this guide, we'll break down the simple steps required to make successful calls from Down Under to the land of the free, covering everything from exit codes to area codes.
What do I need to know before calling the USA from Australia?
What's the cheapest way to call the USA from Australia?
The absolute cheapest way to call the USA from Australia is generally through internet-based calling apps using Wi-Fi. Services like WhatsApp, Skype, Google Voice, and Viber allow you to make free calls to other users of the same app, and often offer very low rates for calling US phone numbers if the recipient doesn't use the app.
While traditional phone calls, even using international calling plans from Australian providers, can be expensive, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services have significantly reduced the cost. The key is leveraging your internet connection to bypass traditional phone networks for the majority of the call's journey. Many of these apps are free to download and use for app-to-app calls. Even when calling a standard US phone number, the rates are substantially lower compared to traditional international call charges. When considering your options, be mindful of data usage, especially if you're not on Wi-Fi. Although the rates are generally low, prolonged calls can eat into your mobile data allowance. It's also worth checking if your Australian mobile carrier offers any international call add-ons specifically for the USA. However, these are rarely as cost-effective as using a dedicated VoIP service. Finally, ensure you have a stable internet connection for a clear and uninterrupted call.What is the exit code for Australia when calling the USA?
The exit code for Australia when calling the USA (or any international number) is 0011. You need to dial 0011 before the US country code and phone number to make a successful international call from Australia.
Think of the exit code as a signal to the Australian phone network that you're about to dial an international number. Without it, the system wouldn't know to route your call outside of the country. After dialing 0011, you'll then dial the country code for the United States, which is 1. Following that, you'll enter the area code and the specific phone number you're trying to reach.
Therefore, the complete sequence for calling a US number from Australia is: 0011 (Australia's exit code) + 1 (US country code) + area code + phone number. For example, to call the number (555) 123-4567 in the US from Australia, you would dial 0011 1 555 123 4567. Remember to omit any leading zeros that might be present in the area code or phone number if the number format you have includes them.
Do I need to include the USA country code when dialing?
Yes, you absolutely need to include the USA country code (+1) when calling a US phone number from Australia. This code tells the Australian phone network that you're trying to connect to a phone number in the United States.
When dialing internationally, the country code is essential for routing your call correctly. Without it, the Australian phone system will assume you are trying to dial a local Australian number, which will result in a failed call or a connection to the wrong number. Always remember to replace the "+" symbol with your country's international access code, which is typically "00" in Australia. Therefore, you'll be dialing "0011" followed by the US country code (+1) and the US phone number.
To summarize the dialing sequence, you would dial it in this order: the Australian exit code (0011), the US country code (1), the US area code (3 digits), and the US local number (7 digits). For example, to call the US number (123) 456-7890, you would dial 0011 1 123 456 7890. Omitting any part of this sequence will prevent your call from connecting successfully.
Are there any time zone considerations when calling?
Yes, absolutely. Australia and the USA span vast distances with multiple time zones, resulting in significant time differences that must be considered when placing a call to ensure you're not calling at an inconvenient hour for the recipient.
The time difference between Australia and the USA varies depending on the specific locations and the time of year due to daylight saving time (DST) in both countries. Australia has multiple time zones, including Australian Western Standard Time (AWST), Australian Central Standard Time (ACST), and Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). The USA also has numerous time zones, such as Pacific Standard Time (PST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), Central Standard Time (CST), and Eastern Standard Time (EST). During standard time, the time difference can range from 14 to 19 hours *ahead* of the US time. So, for instance, if it's 7 PM on the East Coast of the USA (EST), it could be 9 AM the next day in Sydney, Australia (AEST). Daylight Saving Time (DST) in both countries further complicates things. Both countries do not have DST throughout the whole country, and the dates when DST starts and ends differ, causing even greater variations in the time difference throughout the year. Before making a call, it's always best to check a reliable time zone converter to determine the exact current time difference between your location in Australia and the recipient's location in the USA. This will help you avoid calling in the middle of the night or at other inconvenient times.Can I use WhatsApp or other apps to call the USA for free?
Yes, you can absolutely use WhatsApp and other similar apps like Signal, Facebook Messenger, Google Meet, or Viber to call the USA from Australia for free. However, the "free" aspect relies on both you (in Australia) and the person you're calling in the USA having the app installed and connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data.
When you use these apps, you're not actually making a traditional phone call that goes through telephone networks and incurs charges. Instead, you're utilizing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. The app converts your voice into digital data, sends it over the internet, and the recipient's app converts it back into audio. As long as both parties are connected to the internet and the app offers free calling (as most of them do between users), there are typically no call charges. Keep in mind that while the call itself might be free, you or the person you are calling might incur data charges depending on your mobile data plan, especially if you are not connected to Wi-Fi. Video calls, in particular, consume a significant amount of data. It’s also worth noting that features like calling regular phone numbers (landlines or mobiles) within the USA from these apps *may* require credits or a subscription, even if they’re offered as a part of the application. So, for genuinely free calls, ensure you're calling another user who also has the same app installed.What are the standard USA area codes?
The USA utilizes a three-digit numbering system called area codes, also known as Numbering Plan Areas (NPAs), that precede the seven-digit local phone number. There are hundreds of area codes covering different geographic regions within the United States, Canada, and some Caribbean territories integrated into the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).
Calling the USA from Australia requires understanding the international dialing format. First, you need to dial the international access code for Australia, which is 0011. Next, you dial the country code for the United States, which is 1. Then, you dial the specific three-digit area code you are trying to reach, followed by the seven-digit local phone number. So the complete dialing format will be: 0011 + 1 + Area Code + Phone Number. It's important to determine the correct area code for the person or business you are trying to call in the USA. Incorrectly dialing the area code will result in a failed call or connecting to the wrong party. You can find area codes online using various search engines or directory websites by searching for the city or state in the USA you're trying to reach. Remember that time zone differences can also be significant when calling the US from Australia, so consider the recipient's local time to avoid calling at inconvenient hours.Is there a specific format I should follow when dialing a USA phone number?
Yes, when calling a USA phone number from Australia, you must follow a specific format: 0011 + 1 + area code + local number. The "0011" is Australia's exit code, "1" is the USA country code, and then you enter the three-digit area code followed by the seven-digit local number.
When dialing internationally, understanding the components of the phone number is crucial. The exit code (0011 for Australia) tells the Australian phone network you're making an international call. Without it, the call won't be routed correctly. The country code (1 for the USA and Canada) identifies the destination country. Incorrectly entering either of these will lead to a failed call or potentially dial a number in a different country. Therefore, if you are calling a US number like (555) 123-4567 from Australia, you would dial 0011 1 555 1234567. Remember to dial all 11 digits correctly, including the leading zero after the exit code and the correct area code, for the call to be successfully connected.And that's all there is to it! Hopefully, you're now feeling confident and ready to connect with your friends, family, or colleagues in the USA. Thanks for reading, and happy calling! Feel free to come back anytime you need a refresher, or for more helpful tips and tricks. We're always glad to have you.