How to call an Australian 1800 or 1300 number from overseas

Can you call an Australian 1800 number from overseas?

Sometimes, but it is never free and it may fail. The 2025 Numbering Plan permits 10-digit 1800 numbers to receive calls from outside Australia ^[1]. Permission is not a promise. Telstra says Freecall 1800 reverse charging is not available outside Australia ^[2]. Telstra also says an inbound number may simply not work from some overseas carriers, and it does not advise it ^[5].

What does the 2025 Numbering Plan allow?

It allows overseas routing; it does not require it. Under the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 2025, a 10-digit 1800 number may be used with a service that routes an incoming call from outside Australia, while 7-digit numbers from 1802 to 1809 must not ^[1]. Every 13 and 1300 range is marked the same way ^[1]. The number holder and the carriers decide whether it actually happens.

One detail on cost inside Australia. The plan says a freephone call must have a nil charge from a standard phone service, but mobiles are excluded from that rule ^[1]. ACMA says 1800 calls from mobiles are generally free, but some providers charge ^[7].

Do 13 and 1300 numbers work better from overseas?

They can, when the holder sets them up for it. The clearest case I found is myGov. Its contact page tells callers overseas to dial +61 1300 169 468 and choose option 1, and from a landline to dial the international prefix, then 61 1300 169 468 ^[3]. That is a 1300 number published for callers abroad. A 1300 number with no such note may still refuse overseas calls.

Inside Australia, 13 and 1300 numbers are not free. From a landline they cost no more than a local call, with some exceptions ^[6]. From mobiles, telcos either include them in a plan or charge a fixed rate ^[7].

How do you dial an Australian number from the US?

Dial 011, then 61, then the number without its leading 0 ^[8][9]. Telstra's own instructions say to enter +61 and then the number without the leading 0 ^[10]. 1800, 13 and 1300 numbers have no leading 0, so they follow 61 as they are. A Sydney landline such as (02) 5550 0142 becomes 011 61 2 5550 0142.

If an Australian 1800 number is all you have, try 011 61 1800 plus the rest of the number once. If you hear a recorded message or a fast busy signal, stop and switch to the company's regular number.

How much does a call to Australia cost from the US?

With an app, a 10-minute call to an Australian landline costs US$0.10 to US$1.50. Rates below are from each provider's own page, checked on 11 Nov 2026. Mobiles cost more than landlines on all three. Google Voice also lists an Australia toll-free rate of US$0.02 a minute ^[4]; a listed rate does not mean a given 1800 line accepts the call.

TwinPhone is the most expensive of the three to Australia. It works in a browser without an app or SIM, and unanswered calls are free ^[13]. It does not promise to connect Australian 1800 numbers ^[13], so use it for regular numbers. See TwinPhone's rates to Australian landlines. The full ranking is on the India reverse guide.

What should you do when the Australian number won't connect?

Go down the list in order. Check that you dialled 011 61 and dropped any leading 0. Look on the company's contact page for an overseas or international number. Use chat, email or a callback form. Last, ask someone in Australia to call the 1800 line, where it is free from fixed lines and most mobiles ^[5].

1. Re-dial as +61 plus the number, no leading 0 ^[10].
2. Search the company's site for "overseas" or "from outside Australia". Government services often publish one, as myGov does ^[3].
3. Try the company's app, chat or callback.
4. Ask a contact in Australia to call the 1800 number for you.

For numbers made to work across borders, see international toll-free numbers. US 1-800 lines from abroad are covered in calling a 1-800 number from abroad, and US callers start on the home page.