Australian Country Codes Explained: +61, Area Codes, and How to Dial Australia

Australia’s country code is +61. To call from overseas: dial your exit code, then +61, then the area code without the leading 0, then the local number. For mobiles (starting 04), drop the 0 and dial +61 4 followed by the remaining eight digits.

At a Glance

• Australia’s country code is +61, assigned by the ITU.
• To call from overseas: dial your exit code, then +61, drop the leading 0 from the area code, then the local number.
• Landline area codes follow state lines: 02, 03, 07 and 08.
• Mobile numbers (04xx) become +61 4 followed by the remaining eight digits when dialled from abroad.

What is Australia’s country code?

Under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), +61 is the official international country calling code designated for Australia and its external territories. A country code is a short numeric prefix you dial before a phone number to tell international phone networks which country to route the call to.

At Remitly, we know staying in touch with family across the miles matters, so getting the digits right the first time saves you a redial.

Australia’s country code, +61, applies to every call made to an Australian landline or mobile from outside the country. To dial in, use your own country’s exit code, followed by +61, the area code without its leading 0, and finally the local number. The same format applies everywhere in Australia, from Sydney to a remote outback town.

Australian Area Codes by State and Territory

According to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Australian landlines are grouped into four geographic area codes that roughly follow state lines rather than city boundaries.

Drop the leading 0 from any of these area codes when dialling in from overseas. A Sydney number written as 02 9xxx xxxx becomes +61 2 9xxx xxxx. Similarly, a Melbourne number written as 03 9xxx xxxx becomes +61 3 9xxx xxxx. A Brisbane number written as 07 3xxx xxxx becomes +61 7 3xxx xxxx.

Following suit, a Perth, Adelaide, or Darwin number written as 08 8xxx xxxx becomes +61 8 8xxx xxxx, since all three states and territories share the 08 code. Only the country-code prefix changes depending on whether you’re dialling locally or overseas.

Mobile numbers work the same way: an Australian mobile starts with 04 and is ten digits in total, so 0412 345 678 becomes +61 412 345 678 when someone dials it from abroad.

If you’ve recently arrived on an eVisitor visa and are setting up a new number, saving it in this international format from the start means it’ll dial correctly no matter where the call is coming from.

How to Dial an Australian Number from Overseas: Step-by-Step

Here’s exactly what to dial from four common starting points.

1. Dial your own country’s exit code, or press and hold 0 (or just tap +) on a mobile.
2. Dial 61, Australia’s country code.
3. Drop the leading 0 from the area code or mobile prefix.
4. Dial the rest of the number as usual.

On a mobile, skip the exit code altogether and dial the + sign instead: 0412 345 678 becomes +61 412 345 678 no matter which of these four countries you’re calling from.

If you’re calling in from New Zealand and are planning to visit, it’s worth checking how long a flight from New Zealand to Australia takes before you book.

Calling from Australia to Other Countries

Calling out of Australia works the same way in reverse. According to ACMA, dial 0011, which is Australia’s international access code, then the destination country’s code, followed by the number without its own leading 0 or trunk prefix.

These are the digits that follow 0011; how many come next depends on the destination country’s own numbering plan. On a mobile, you can skip 0011 and dial + instead.

Read more about how fast the internet is in Australia if you’re planning to rely on Wi-Fi calling during a visit.

Australian Territory Phone Codes

Not every Australian territory dials the same way. Norfolk Island and the Australian Antarctic Territory still use +672, a separate code the International Telecommunication Union assigns to Australia’s external territories, with a Norfolk Island number formatted as +672 3 followed by five digits.

Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are different: since 1994, they’ve been folded into Australia’s own numbering plan, dialling through area code 08 and the country code +61, according to ACMA’s numbering records.

If you’re calling one of these islands, it pays to check which system applies first: dialling +61 for a Norfolk Island number or +672 for Christmas Island simply won’t connect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I dial an Australian number from overseas?

To call an Australian phone number from another country, first, dial your country’s exit code if you need to. Then add +61, which is Australia’s country code. After that, dial the area code without the ‘0,’ and then the local phone number.

How do I dial an Australian mobile number from overseas?

An Australian mobile starts with 04 and has ten digits in total. Drop the leading 0 from the number, then dial +61, followed by 4, and the remaining eight digits, so 0412 345 678 becomes +61 412 345 678.

Do Australian states have their own area codes?

Yes, landline numbers use one of four area codes: 02 for New South Wales and the ACT, 03 for Victoria and Tasmania, 07 for Queensland, and 08 for South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia, according to ACMA.

What’s the exit code for calling out of Australia?

Dial 0011 before the country code and number if you’re on a landline. On a mobile, you can usually dial + instead: both connect you to the same international network, according to ACMA.

Can I send a text message using Australia’s country code?

Yes, add +61 before the number the same way you would for a call, dropping the leading 0. Depending on your plan, an international text may cost more than one sent within Australia.

Does Norfolk Island use the same country code as the rest of Australia?

No, Norfolk Island keeps its own code, +672, which the ITU assigns to Australia’s external territories, rather than +61. Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, by contrast, use +61 with area code 08.

Key Takeaways

• Australia’s country code is +61, assigned by the ITU. Use it in place of the leading 0 on any Australian number when you’re calling from overseas.
• To call out of Australia, dial the exit code 0011 (or + on a mobile), then the destination country’s code and number.
• Landline area codes follow state lines: 02 for New South Wales and the ACT, 03 for Victoria and Tasmania, 07 for Queensland, and 08 for South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia.
• Australian mobile numbers start with 04 and become +61 4 followed by eight digits when dialled from abroad.
• Norfolk Island and the Australian Antarctic Territory use +672, while Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands use +61, so not every external territory shares the same code.

Staying Connected, Wherever You’re Calling From

Once you know the pattern: exit code, +61, drop the 0, dialling an Australian number becomes second nature, whether you’re checking in with family in Sydney or planning a trip home.

If you’re travelling and away from your own plan, free public Wi-Fi hotspots around Australia can keep you connected without racking up roaming charges. Joining a local community sports club is another easy way to meet people while you settle into life here.

When it’s time to send money rather than just make a call, Remitly’s international transfer service is ready when you need it.

Last reviewed: September 2026