Staying Connected

Calling Internationally

We recommend using WhatsApp or FaceTime for free communication with others. These applications are available on all smartphones and offer texting, video calls, and traditional phone call options. 

Local Plan Options

There will be free Wi-Fi on campus and in your accommodation. You will also find it in some malls, hotels or restaurants, but the password is not always readily available and the WIFI here can be unreliable. The majority of you will want to have Internet access 24/7 everywhere you go, just as you do back home. It is important that you can communicate easily, to meet up with friends, in the case of an emergency and to easily call Ubers if/when you need. 

We recommend either purchasing a local SIM card and getting a local number within the first day or two, or talking with your US phone carrier before departure to arrange an international plan.

International Plan Options

Bring your phone and network from home if you have a decent international data and airtime plan – just be aware that you won’t be able to communicate locally quite as easily and will likely need to rely on WhatsApp to communicate with others in-country.

Check with your US phone carrier for options (some give 5 days to one month free international roaming) – but note that they will likely charge more than a local Australian plan.

Mix and Match

You can get an inexpensive local Australian phone for local communication and use your existing phone for data when you need it, either depending on Wi-Fi availability or by switching on/off your international data/roaming as needed. Some phones are able to have two SIM cards.

How to Get a Phone or SIM Card

When you arrive in Australia, the airport will offer several options for purchasing SIM cards. If you are looking to get a good deal, you are tech-savvy, and you know where to find a supermarket near your hotel, you might want to look into getting a SIM card at a supermarket like Kmart, Coles, Woolworths or Aldi.

Australia has three major networks and you should compare the deals on offer depending on your needs:

• Telstra – This option has the widest coverage. It's the best choice if you will be travelling outside of the Gold Coast to anywhere remote, such as small towns, hiking, or the outback.
• Optus – A bit less coverage, but fine if you are visiting Australia’s popular towns and cities.
• Vodafone – Australia's smallest major network. It works fine on the east coast.

Smaller SIM providers use one of the 3 major networks but can often offer better deals:

• Coles – on the Optus Network. You can purchase in the supermarket.
• Aldi – Can be purchased in store. The coverage is the same as Telstra.
• Boost Mobile – Great deals for the Telstra Network. You can purchase at Woolworths, Coles, Target, Kmart, and BP gas stations. 

Each carrier will have quite a few bundles you can choose from. If you purchase from a kiosk at the airport, the attendant can show you which one will work for you based on what you plan on doing with your phone while in Australia.

After you pick, the attendant will set everything up for you. They insert the SIM card, tap away, and you are set!

If you purchase your SIM card at a supermarket, there should be instructions included on how to set it up.

To purchase a SIM card, you will need your name, passport and address of your first hotel.

• In order to make the new SIM and plan work on your current phone, you will need an unlocked smartphone (check on this with your phone carrier or ask a friend for an unlocked smartphone they don't use anymore). You will also require your passport. 
• Cell phone carriers can lock their phones to their service if the phone is under payment. But once you pay off your phone, they must unlock it on request.
• Requesting the unlock takes minutes, but it might take up to 2 days for the phone to actually unlock. It’s really easy to do. Beware of services that offer to unlock your phone for a fee.

To unlock a cell phone or check to see if it is unlocked:

• Locate your phone’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)
  • iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About. Then scroll down to find the number near the bottom of the page.
  • Android: Type IMEI in the search section of your settings or dial *#06# and call.
• Most carriers allow you to unlock your phone online with a simple form:
  • Search on Google your carrier’s name + “IMEI unlock”. You will be asked to supply your IMEI number.
  • If you can’t find this, call the carrier’s customer service department.

Once your study abroad program is over, you will just need to switch your Aussie SIM card for your American SIM card and everything will go back to normal with no extra fees. 

Most modern USA phones should work in Australia. You can double check by searching for your phone on this website.

How to Make Calls from Your Phone

From an Australian Phone to Another Australian Phone

1. Dial the local area code: Start by entering the local area code of the city or region you are calling within Australia. Each city or region has its own specific area code. Make sure to include the appropriate area code for the location you are calling.
2. Enter the phone number: After dialing the local area code, enter the phone number of the person or establishment you wish to call. 
3. Press the call button: Once you have entered the full phone number, press the call button on your phone to initiate the call. The call should connect, and you will be able to communicate with the person or business you dialed.
   Note: Remember, if you are calling within the same area code, you may only need to dial the local phone number without including the area code. If you are unsure, it's recommended to include the area code to ensure a successful connection.

From a U.S. Cell Phone to an Australian Phone Number

1. Dial the international access code for Australia: 0011.
2. After the international access code, enter the Country code: +61.
3. After the international access code, enter the area code: Ex. 02 (NSW), 07 (QLD), 08 (Melbourne, Victoria).
4. Dial the phone number: After entering the country and/or area code, dial the Australian phone number you wish to reach. Make sure to include the local phone number, including any additional digits for extensions if necessary. Example:  0011 61 02 5595 1234.

Communication Apps

We mainly use WhatsApp to communicate with each other. Facetime and Facebook Messenger are other apps our students frequently use to call their friends and family back home.