Internet apps and free international calls on your phone plan are the cheapest ways to connect overseas. So which plans give you what you need?
First, let’s take a look at the best apps and other cheap options for making overseas calls.
💡 Shortcut: Compare a range of plans with international calls
1. Internet-based calling apps
Free apps are a great way to make voice or video calls. You can use WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Facetime, Skype or WeChat.
While they’re free to download, you’ll need to use data (either Wi-Fi or your mobile data). As well, you need to know that:
- Both parties in the call have to have the app downloaded and activated.
- The video and audio quality can be unpredictable.
- Some countries don’t allow certain apps (for example, China has blocked Facebook, so you can use Facetime or Messenger).
- Both parties need reasonable internet, which isn’t available in some areas.
Most of those points won’t be a problem today. But, if you’re finding it tough to chat with someone overseas using Wi-Fi, or you’re chewing up mobile data making calls, you can look into phone plans with international calls included.
You can also consider plans with unlimited data.
Prepaid and postpaid phone plans with overseas calls included
Today there are several plans that include free international “minutes”. Some are part of the plan’s package, and some can be added for a small monthly fee.
If you need a phone plan and regularly make overseas calls, it might solve two problems to find a plan that includes international minutes.
Things to consider when choosing a phone plan for overseas calls
- Is the country you’ll be calling covered in the plan?
- Are there enough included international minutes, or do you need unlimited calls?
- Does the plan include international SMS?
- Are the calls to mobile phones, landline phones or both?
Is a prepaid or postpaid plan better for you?
A prepaid plan allows better control over what you spend for overseas calls but if you need more time and want to avoid being cut off if you run out of credit, choose a postpaid plan.
Phone plans that include overseas calls
Here are some of the phone plans offered by the different telcos. Plans may vary from time to time, so check their respective sites for the updated list and complete offers.
Smaller brands can have the best prices, since their overheads are lower. You can compare a range of plans on our international calls guide here, or check out these brands that include overseas calls:
Optus
Optus has overseas call plans for prepaid and postpaid customers. Its Flex Plus plans include up to 1200 minutes of international calls. You can compare the Optus plans here.
Telstra Â
- Telstra has two international call packs for its home phone broadband subscribers. They have the International Saver and International Ultimate.
International Saver: You’ll get discounted call rates to fixed lines and mobiles in 72 countries for $5 per month.
International Ultimate: For $15 per month on your home phone service and get unlimited calls to home phones in 35 countries, unlimited calls to mobiles in 17 countries and discounted call rates to 37 countries.
Vodafone
Users on a plan
You can get unlimited standard international minutes from Australia to Zone 1 countries on selected Vodafone Infinite, Plus, SIM Only Plus and Business Flex Plans. You can also get standard international minutes from Australia to Zone 1 countries on $30, $40, $50 and $60 Prepaid Plus and Combo Plus recharges. T
Vodafone gives you:
- Unlimited standard international minutes from Australia to Zone 1 countries on selected Vodafone Infinite, Plus, SIM Only Plus and Business Flex plans.
- Standard international minutes to Zone 1 countries on some of its Prepaid Plus and Combo Plus recharges.
Visit the Vodafone site for the list of Zone 1 and Zone 2 countries as these could change from time to time.
How do I call an international number from Australia?
On a mobile, you just tap + or press and hold 0. Then enter the country code and the number. If you’re still on a landline, you’ll need to dial 0011 to “exit” the Australian phone system.
Note: If the number you are calling starts with a 0, you’ll need to leave that out of the number.
For example, if you were calling the New Zealand number 09 123 4567, you’ll need to key in 0011 64 9 123 4567 and on mobile it would be +64 9 123 4567
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