How to Phone Australia from NZ: Step-by-Step

Calling Australia from New Zealand is straightforward because both countries use the international dialing format. You need to know the correct prefix (00), Australia’s country code (61), and the local number format. This guide covers landlines, mobiles, and common pitfalls.

What You’ll Need

A phone with international calling enabled (most NZ plans include this, but check with your provider if unsure)
The full Australian number, including area code (e.g., 02 for Sydney, 03 for Melbourne, 07 for Brisbane, 08 for Perth/Adelaide)
Credit or a plan that covers international calls (if you’re using a pay-as-you-go or prepaid service)

Step-by-Step

Check your plan – Before dialing, confirm your NZ mobile or landline plan includes international calls. If not, you may need to add credit or buy an international add-on. This avoids unexpected charges.
Dial the international prefix – From any NZ phone, the exit code to dial out internationally is 00. This tells the network you’re making an overseas call.
Dial Australia’s country code – After 00, dial 61. This routes your call to Australia.
Add the area code (for landlines) – If calling a landline, include the Australian area code (e.g., 02, 03, 07, 08) but drop the leading 0. For example, Sydney’s area code is 02, so you dial 2 after 61.
Dial the local number – For landlines, this is the 8-digit local number. For mobiles, dial the 9-digit mobile number (starting with 4) directly after 61 – no area code needed.
Press call and wait – After dialing the full number, press the call button. Wait for the connection; it may take a few seconds longer than a domestic call.

Example: To call a Sydney landline (02) 1234 5678 from NZ, dial: 00 61 2 1234 5678. To call an Australian mobile 0412 345 678, dial: 00 61 412 345 678.

Common Mistakes

Including the leading 0 – The most common error. Australian numbers start with 0 (e.g., 02 for Sydney), but when dialing from overseas, you must drop that 0. Dialing 00 61 02… will fail.
Using the wrong prefix – Some countries use 011 or 0011, but NZ uses 00. If you use 011, the call won’t connect.
Forgetting the country code – Dialing just the NZ prefix and the Australian number (without 61) will route the call as if it’s a domestic NZ call, which won’t work.
Calling a mobile with an area code – Australian mobiles don’t have area codes. If you add one, the call may fail or connect to the wrong number.

Tips

Save the number in international format – In your phone contacts, store Australian numbers as +61 2 1234 5678 (for landlines) or +61 412 345 678 (for mobiles). This way, you can dial directly without remembering the prefix.
Use the plus sign – On mobile phones, you can use + instead of 00. Press and hold the 0 key to get +, then dial 61, then the number. This works on most smartphones.
Check time zones – Australia has multiple time zones (AEST, ACST, AWST). If you’re calling from NZ, there’s usually a 2-3 hour difference, so be mindful of business hours.
Consider VoIP alternatives – If you have a stable internet connection, apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or Zoom can be cheaper for frequent calls, but they require the other person to have the same app or a data connection.

Troubleshooting

Call won’t connect – Double-check the number format. Ensure you’ve dropped the leading 0 from the area code or mobile. Also, confirm you’re using 00, not 011.
Call drops or poor quality – This is usually a network issue. Try moving to a location with better signal, or call from a landline if possible. If the problem persists, contact your provider.
You get a recorded message – If you hear an error tone or a message like “the number you have dialed is incorrect,” re-verify the number. Also, make sure you’re not using a special service number (e.g., 1300 or 1800) – these may not be accessible from overseas.
Charges are higher than expected – If you’re on a prepaid plan, check your balance before calling. Some plans have higher rates for international calls. Consider buying an international add-on to reduce costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to dial 00 from a NZ mobile?

Yes, the international prefix is the same from all NZ phones – landline or mobile. You can also use + on a mobile, which is easier to remember.

Can I call an Australian 1300 or 1800 number from NZ?

Generally, no. These are special service numbers and are not accessible from overseas. You’ll need to ask the business for an alternate number.

What’s the difference between calling a landline and a mobile?

Landlines require an area code (e.g., 2 for Sydney), while mobiles don’t. Mobiles start with 4 and are 9 digits long. Both use the same country code 61.

Why is my call not going through even though I dialed correctly?

This could be due to your plan not supporting international calls, or a network issue. Contact your provider to confirm international dialing is enabled on your line.

Is it cheaper to call using an app like WhatsApp?

If both parties have the app and a data connection, calls are free. For traditional calls, costs vary by plan. Check your provider’s rates for international calls.

How do I store an Australian number in my contacts?

Use the international format: +61 followed by the area code (without 0) and the local number, or +61 followed by the mobile number. This ensures it works both in NZ and when you travel.

Sources: New Zealand Telecommunications Forum. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.