Australia offers modern and reliable telecommunication services. Telephone, post, email and Internet services are all readily available to visitors. The details below will assist with your communications home.

Telephones

Australia has a modern and competitive telephone system. You can make local calls, long-distance calls within Australia (STD), and International Direct Dialling (IDD) calls.Local calls from public payphones are untimed and charged at $A0.40. Long distance and international calls are usually timed. Public payphones accept Australian coins and some accept credit cards and pre-paid phone cards.

USA and Canadian callers using AT&T can call 1800 881 011 toll free while in Australia to call home. This international toll free call number is available from any telephone in Australia.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones are available for rent, or bring your mobile phone with you. Australia’s mobile network operates on the 900 and 1800 bands for GSM and 800 for CDMA. Contact your telecommunications carrier for activating international roaming while you are visiting Australia.

Email and Internet

Internet and email access is readily available at countless Internet cafes, hotels, hostels and libraries. Australia uses RJ-45 telephone plugs and Telstra EXI-160 four-pin plugs. If your connection is not correct go to a local electronic shop. Also check that your PC-card modem is suitable in Australia. An easy way to access Internet and email is via one of the many free web-based email services such as Hotmail or Yahoo.

Postal services

Post offices are usually open 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday with some city post offices open on Saturday morning. Stamps are usually available from hotels and motels, and selected retail outlets. Travellers can arrange to collect mail at post offices throughout Australia. Mail is held for 30 days free of charge and should be marked ‘Poste Restante’. Your name should be clearly printed on the envelope. A passport is required when collecting mail.

Time zones

There are three time zones in Australia, running east to west. Eastern Standard Time (EST) operates in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland. Central Standard Time (CST) in South Australia and Northern Territory. Western Standard Time (WST) in Western Australia. CST is half an hour behind EST, while WST is two hours behind EST.

Daylight saving

Some Australian states and territories have daylight saving during the summer months. In New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia daylight saving runs from the end of October through to the end of March. In Tasmania, daylight saving runs from the beginning of October through to the end of March. Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland do not have daylight saving.

Electricity

The electrical current in Australia is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz. The Australian three‑pin power outlet is different from some other countries so you may need an adaptor. If your appliances are 110V, you may need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 110V shavers are usually found in leading hotels.