The 61 country code belongs to Australia. Whether you're calling family in Sydney, conducting business in Melbourne, or reaching friends in Brisbane, the +61 prefix connects you to the land down under with over 26 million people.

Quick Answer: The country code +61 is for Australia. When calling from overseas, drop the leading 0 from the Australian number. For example, a Sydney number like 02 1234 5678 becomes +61 2 1234 5678.

How to Call Australia: Quick Reference

The key rule for calling Australia is simple: always drop the leading zero. Australian domestic numbers start with 0, but this trunk prefix must be removed when dialing internationally.

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +61 [number without leading 0]
US/Canada Landline 011-61-[number without leading 0]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-61-[number without leading 0]
New Zealand 00-61-[number without leading 0]
Singapore +61 or 001-61-[number without leading 0]
Japan 010-61-[number without leading 0]

Australia has strong ties with the US, UK, New Zealand, and many Asian countries, making international calling to Australia common for both business and personal reasons.

Understanding Australian Phone Numbers

Australian phone numbers follow a specific structure that's important to understand for international dialing.

The Leading Zero Rule

All Australian phone numbers begin with a 0 when dialed domestically. This is a trunk prefix, not part of the actual phone number. When calling from overseas, you must:

  • Remove the leading 0
  • Replace it with +61

This is the single most important rule for calling Australia internationally.

Mobile Numbers

Australian mobile numbers all start with 04:

  • Domestic Format: 04XX XXX XXX (10 digits starting with 04)
  • International Format: +61 4XX XXX XXX (9 digits after +61)
  • All Australian mobiles start with 04, which becomes +61 4 internationally.
  • Example: 0412 345 678 becomes +61 412 345 678

Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)

Australian landlines use single-digit area codes followed by 8-digit local numbers:

  • Domestic Format: 0X XXXX XXXX (10 digits with area code)
  • International Format: +61 X XXXX XXXX (9 digits after +61)
  • Example: Sydney number 02 9876 5432 becomes +61 2 9876 5432

Australia Area Codes Reference Table

Australia uses a simple system of single-digit geographic area codes. Here's a comprehensive reference:

Area Code Region/State Major Cities International Format
02 New South Wales, ACT Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle +61 2 xxxx xxxx
03 Victoria, Tasmania Melbourne, Hobart, Geelong +61 3 xxxx xxxx
07 Queensland Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns +61 7 xxxx xxxx
08 SA, WA, NT Perth, Adelaide, Darwin +61 8 xxxx xxxx

Note: Unlike many countries with multi-digit area codes, Australia uses just one digit for each region, making it simpler to remember.

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell mobile from landline by the first digits:

  • Starts with 04 (or +61 4): Always a mobile number
  • Starts with 02, 03, 07, or 08: Always a landline number

This distinction matters because calling rates to mobiles are typically higher than landlines with most international calling services.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples showing how to dial Australian numbers from various countries:

Example 1: Calling a Sydney Landline from the US

  • Australian Number: 02 9876 5432 (Sydney area code 02)
  • From a US Mobile: +61 2 9876 5432
  • From a US Landline: 011 61 2 9876 5432

Example 2: Calling an Australian Mobile from the US

  • Australian Number: 0412 345 678
  • From a US Mobile: +61 412 345 678
  • From a US Landline: 011 61 412 345 678

Example 3: Calling a Melbourne Landline from the UK

  • Australian Number: 03 8765 4321 (Melbourne area code 03)
  • From the UK: 00 61 3 8765 4321

Example 4: Calling a Brisbane Number from New Zealand

  • Australian Number: 07 3456 7890 (Brisbane area code 07)
  • From New Zealand: 00 61 7 3456 7890

Best Times to Call Australia

Australia spans three time zones, which can make scheduling calls tricky. Here's a breakdown:

Time Zone States/Cities UTC Offset (Standard/DST)
AEST/AEDT Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane UTC+10 / UTC+11
ACST/ACDT Adelaide, Darwin UTC+9:30 / UTC+10:30
AWST Perth UTC+8 (no DST)

Time differences from major cities:

Your Location Sydney Time Difference Call Sydney 9 AM - 5 PM
US East Coast (EST) Sydney is 16 hours ahead 5 PM - 1 AM (previous day)
US West Coast (PST) Sydney is 19 hours ahead 2 PM - 10 PM (previous day)
UK (GMT) Sydney is 11 hours ahead 10 PM - 6 AM
New Zealand (NZST) Sydney is 2 hours behind 11 AM - 7 PM

Tip: For US callers, your evening is Australia's morning. An 8 PM EST call reaches Sydney at noon the next day.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most frequent errors when dialing the 61 country code:

  • Keeping the leading 0: The most common mistake. +61 02... is wrong; +61 2... is correct.
  • Confusing +61 with +64: +61 is Australia, +64 is New Zealand. Easy to mix up for neighboring countries.
  • Confusing +61 with +43: +61 is Australia, +43 is Austria. Similar sounding names, very different countries.
  • Wrong number of digits: After +61, you should have exactly 9 digits (1-digit area code + 8-digit number, or 9-digit mobile).
  • Ignoring time zones: Australia is far ahead of the Americas and Europe. Check the time before calling!

Cheapest Ways to Call +61 Numbers

International calls to Australia don't have to be expensive. Here are your best options:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Australia, often under $0.05/minute for landlines. Check our Australia calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Messenger are widely used in Australia and allow free calls over WiFi or data.
  • International Calling Plans: Some carriers include Australia in their international bundles. Check our guide on how to make international calls.

With strong expat communities in the US, UK, and Asia, there are many affordable options for staying connected with people in Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +61 country code?

The +61 country code is for Australia. This includes all Australian states and territories, as well as external territories like Christmas Island and Cocos Islands.

How many digits is an Australian phone number?

Australian phone numbers have 9 digits after the +61 country code. Mobile numbers are 10 digits domestically (starting with 04), but the leading 0 is dropped for international calls, making them 9 digits after +61.

What is the area code for Sydney?

The area code for Sydney is 02. For international calls, you would dial +61 2 followed by the 8-digit local number.

What is the area code for Melbourne?

The area code for Melbourne is 03. Internationally, you would dial +61 3 followed by the 8-digit local number.

How do I call Australia from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +61 followed by the Australian number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 61, then the number without the leading 0.

Do I drop the 0 when calling Australia internationally?

Yes, always drop the leading 0. Australian domestic numbers start with 0 (like 02 for Sydney or 04 for mobile), but when calling from overseas, replace the 0 with +61. So 02 1234 5678 becomes +61 2 1234 5678.

Is +61 Australia or Austria?

+61 is the country code for Australia. The country code for Austria is +43. This is a common point of confusion due to the similar names.

Related Country Codes

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