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Best mobile plans for international calls from Australia

To help you find the best mobile plan for international calls, we’ve compared over 100 mobile plans with unlimited calls to selected countries. Always make sure the country you’re looking to call is included in the provider’s list of destinations.

Top pick: Under $20
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15GB
$20
per 30 days expiry
Top pick: 365-day
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120GB
$150
per 365 days expiry

Finding the best mobile plans for international calls

Our team of mobile plan experts have compared over 100 mobile plans from 40 mobile providers in Australia. We've curated 4 top picks based on price and expert analysis. Not all plans will suit your needs so make sure you compare your options before choosing the right one for you.

Best mobile plan for under $20 for international calls: Coles

Coles $20

15GB

Ongoing

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$20

Ongoing


Best mobile plan for under $30 for international calls: amaysim

amaysim 32GB Plan

32GB

Ongoing

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$30

Ongoing

Get this plan

Best mobile plan for under $40 for international calls: amaysim

amaysim 80GB Plan

80GB

Ongoing

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$40

Ongoing

Get this plan

Best 365-day mobile plan with international calls: Coles

Coles $150

120GB

Ongoing

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$150

Ongoing


How to find the best mobile plan for international calls

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to finding the best mobile plan for international calls. Aside from your budget, your needs will vary depending on which countries you need to call and how frequently you need to call them.

These are some of the things you should consider when deciding which mobile plan to get for international calls:

Countries icon

Make sure the countries you want to call are covered

Double-check which countries are on a provider's international call inclusions so you'll be able to call your family and friends without incurring extra costs. Calls to China, Hong Kong, India, NZ, USA and the UK are often covered by providers, but if you're looking to call other countries such as the Philippines, Sri Lanka and South Africa, make sure you check that the provider covers this.

phone call icon

Are calls unlimited or restricted to minutes?

While the country you want to call may be on a provider's list, there are different ways that providers offer you international calls. Some providers give you unlimited calls to a set number of destinations, whereas others may restrict you to a dollar credit amount (e.g. $300 worth of calls) or minutes (e.g. 300 minutes). If you're not a frequent caller, credit or minutes might do you just fine, but otherwise, unlimited may be the better option.

call rate icon

Check the call rates

This won't be an issue if your plan comes with unlimited international calls, but if you have a limit on call credit, you'd need to check the call rates a provider has for the country you want to call. From there, you can find out how long your call credit will last.

landline icon

Do you need to call a landline or mobile number?

If you have call credits, you'll need to pay attention to whether you're calling a landline or mobile. That's because the providers will have different rates to landlines and mobiles in the same country. If you're calling a mobile number overseas, your call credits may not last very far.

Compare to find the best mobile plan with international calls

You'll find international call inclusions by clicking "View details" and in the "Calls + texts" section.

1 - 10 of 39
Name Product Data Price Apply Price
Southern Phone Finder Exclusive
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
$5/mth for the first 6 months, then $15/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.24
Southern Phone Finder Exclusive
Postpaid
$5/mth for the first 6 months, then $15/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.24
Exclusive
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G/3G network
5GB
$5
per month
Go to site
View details
Exclusive
  • $5/mth for the first 6 months, then $15/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
5 GB
Data
$5
per month
Dodo $25
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
50GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 25GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 27.2.24
Dodo $25
Postpaid
50GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 25GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 27.2.24
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G/3G network
50GB
No excess data charges
$25
per month
Go to site
View details
  • 50GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 25GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 27.2.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
50 GB
Data
$25
per month
amaysim 32GB Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
amaysim 32GB Plan
Prepaid
Finder Award
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 5G/4G network
32GB
$30
per 28 day recharge
Go to site
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
32GB
Data
$30
per 28 days expiry
Circles.Life 100GB Finder Exclusive
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
$39 for 400GB/mth for the first 12 months, then $45 for 100GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 15.1.24
Circles.Life 100GB Finder Exclusive
Postpaid
$39 for 400GB/mth for the first 12 months, then $45 for 100GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 15.1.24
Exclusive
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G network
400GB
$39
per month
Go to site
View details
Exclusive
  • $39 for 400GB/mth for the first 12 months, then $45 for 100GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 15.1.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
400 GB
Data
$39
per month
Vodafone Large SIM-only Plan
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
$60/mth when you stay connected with the plan, instead of $65/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 14.12.23
Vodafone Large SIM-only Plan
Postpaid
$60/mth when you stay connected with the plan, instead of $65/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 14.12.23
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 5G/4G network
300GB
No excess data charges
$60
per month
Go to site
View details
  • $60/mth when you stay connected with the plan, instead of $65/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 14.12.23
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
300GB
Data
$60
per month
More 25GB
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
$0/mth for the first 3 months for CommBank customers, then $27/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
More 25GB
Postpaid
$0/mth for the first 3 months for CommBank customers, then $27/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 4G/3G network
25GB
$30
per month
Go to site
View details
  • $0/mth for the first 3 months for CommBank customers, then $27/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
25GB
Data
$30
per month
Circles.Life 160GB Finder Exclusive
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
$55 for 700GB/mth for the first 12 months, then $55 for 160GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 15.1.24
Circles.Life 160GB Finder Exclusive
Postpaid
$55 for 700GB/mth for the first 12 months, then $55 for 160GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 15.1.24
Exclusive
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G network
700GB
$55
per month
Go to site
View details
Exclusive
  • $55 for 700GB/mth for the first 12 months, then $55 for 160GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 15.1.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
700 GB
Data
$55
per month
Dodo $35
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
90GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 45GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 27.2.24
Dodo $35
Postpaid
90GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 45GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 27.2.24
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G/3G network
90GB
No excess data charges
$35
per month
Go to site
View details
  • 90GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 45GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 27.2.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
90 GB
Data
$35
per month
Dodo $20
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
30GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 15GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 27.2.24
Dodo $20
Postpaid
30GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 15GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 27.2.24
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G/3G network
30GB
No excess data charges
$20
per month
Go to site
View details
  • 30GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 15GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 27.2.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
30 GB
Data
$20
per month
Tangerine 32GB 5G SIM
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
64GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 32GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.24
Tangerine 32GB 5G SIM
Postpaid
64GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 32GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.24
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 5G network
64GB
$33
per month
Go to site
View details
  • 64GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 32GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
64 GB
Data
$33
per month
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Optus international calls

Optus offers unlimited standard international talk and text to 35 selected destinations on its postpaid plans.

International calls on Optus postpaid plans

The countries you can call are: Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam.

You do not get international calls included on the Small Optus Choice Plus plan, which is 30GB of data for $49 a month. To make international calls, you'd need to purchase an add-on.

If you have the $59, $69 or $89 plan, you can only use your included international calls to the selected destinations. You can't make outbound international calls to any destinations not on the list.

Optus prepaid plans with 28-day expiries come with international minutes to selected destinations.

International calls on Optus prepaid plans

Depending on your plan, you can get between 400 and 1,200 minutes of international calls to 20 selected countries. They are: Brazil, Canada, mainland China, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam.

If you get the 7-day, 186-day or 365-day recharge options, you do not get international calls included. If you want to make international calls with one of those plans or you need further minutes or call destinations outside of the above countries, there are 2 options available:

  • You can buy a $5 International Talk add-on which includes up to 300 minutes of standard international calls to an additional 30 selected destinations with a 28-day expiry.
  • Get a $10 Extras Credit add-on for calls charged at the standard international rates.

Vodafone international calls

Vodafone splits its international inclusions across zone 1 and zone 2 countries.

Vodafone offers unlimited international calls to zone 1 countries and 300 minutes of calls to zone 2 countries with its postpaid SIM only plans. However you do not get international calls included on Vodafone's Small SIM only plan.

As for its prepaid plans, you're only able to get international call inclusions on Vodafone's 28-day expiry Prepaid Plus plans.

Depending on your plan, you can get 500–2,000 minutes of standard international calls to zone 1 countries and 100–250 minutes of standard international calls to zone 2 countries.

Besides the standard inclusions, you also have the option to purchase a Vodafone add-on that gives you 30–120 minutes of standard international calls to 50 selected countries.

Or you can purchase a $10 International Value Pack, which allows you to make international calls at discounted rates.

Countries covered with Vodafone international calls

There are 36 countries in zone 1: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Guam, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA and the Vatican (Holy See).

There are 54 zone 2 countries: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brunei, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Faroe Islands, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Northern Mariana Islands, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain Canary Islands, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Telstra international calls

Telstra's international calls seem generous on its postpaid plans, as you get included minutes to any country rather than a restricted list. The catch is you only get 30 minutes of calls.

If you need to make more than 30 minutes of calls, you'll then need to purchase an International Calling Pack, which gives you additional minutes to selected destinations.

You're also able to get included minutes of international calls with all but one Telstra prepaid plan, but as with most providers, the number of minutes and the countries you can call varies from plan to plan.

Depending on your plan, you can get up to 6,000 minutes (or 100 hours) to zone 1 countries, up to 800 minutes to zone 2 countries and up to 100 minutes to zone 3 countries. The more you spend on your Telstra prepaid plan, the more minutes you get.

There are 88 international destinations you can call on a Telstra prepaid plan and they are split up into 3 zones.

International calls on Telstra prepaid plans

Telstra's zone 1 destinations are: Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA, US Virgin Islands and Vietnam.

The zone 2 destinations you can call are: Argentina, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Faroe Islands, French Guiana, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Greece, Italy, Laos, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, France, Iran, Israel, Kenya, Kuwait, Mexico, Mongolia, Palestinian Authority, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Peru, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Slovak Republic and Venezuela.

Zone 3 destinations include all of those included in zone 2, with the addition of: Austria, Comoros, Croatia, East Timor, Egypt, Fiji, Ghana, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Russia, Samoa, Serbia, Solomon Islands, Surinam, Switzerland, Tonga, Turkey, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe.

If you have a Telstra Prepaid Mobile Casual Plan, you are unable to call zone 3 destinations.

Which mobile providers offer international calls?

You can get international calls on quite a few mobile plans in Australia, either included or for an additional cost. We've listed the international call inclusions from some of the major providers in Australia below.

ProviderInternational calls
amaysimUnlimited standard calls for up to 42 selected countries on some plans
Boost MobileUnlimited standard calls for up to 20 selected countries and up to 3,600 standard minutes to 30 selected countries on some plans
Belong$5 a month extra for unlimited calls to 30 selected countries
ALDImobileUnlimited standard calls to 20 selected countries and up to 600 standard minutes to 30 selected countries on some plans
Kogan$5–$15 per 30 days for 250 standard minutes to up to 20 selected countries
Everyday Mobile (Woolworths)Unlimited standard international calls to 22 selected countries on prepaid plans and 30 selected countries on SIM only plans
LebaraUnlimited standard calls for up to 64 selected countries and up to 500 minutes to zone 1 and zone 2 countries on some plans
Moose MobileUp to $400 international call credit on some plans
TPGPAYG international calls (country rates apply)
Coles MobileUnlimited standard calls to 15 selected countries on prepaid plans and 22 selected countries on month-to-month plans

How we researched the best mobile plans for international calls

  • We looked at SIM only plans in our database designed for personal use with unlimited international call inclusions.
  • Other selection criteria to narrow down our shortlist included looking at active Finder partners across the categories which allowed for this.
  • Promotional discounts were also taken into account during scoring.

Best mobile plans for international calls categories

Each month, we select the best plans across 4 categories.

  1. Best mobile plan under $20: Based on our internal value scoring system, limiting results to plans equal to or under $20.
  2. Best mobile plan under $30: Based on our internal value scoring system, limiting results to plans equal to or under $30.
  3. Best mobile plan under $40: Based on our internal value scoring system, limiting results to plans equal to or under $40.
  4. Best 365-day mobile plan with international calls: Based on our internal value scoring system, limiting results to plans equal to or under $150 with an expiry of 12 months or 365 days.

How does Finder's value scoring system work?

For certain categories, we use a value scoring system to choose the best mobile plan for international calls by scoring the following factors:

  • Cost per gigabyte. This is calculated by taking the price of the plan over 12 months divided by the amount of data (GB).
  • Network coverage. We awarded scores depending on how wide the network coverage is across Australia.
  • Data rollover. We weight providers that offer data rollover higher than those that don't have this feature.
  • Wi-Fi calling. We weight providers that offer Wi-Fi calling higher than those that don't have this feature.

We then assign a weight to each of the factors in order to calculate a value score. Price and data are given the highest weighting.


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8 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    CliveNovember 3, 2023

    I am looking for a prepaid plan that will enable me to phone Papua New Guinea from Australia. Many providers have lists of countries, but so far I have not found one that includes PNG. Can you help please?

      AvatarFinder
      MariamNovember 6, 2023Finder

      Hi Clive, in this instance you might need to consider calling card or look for a provider that offers cheap international call rates. Hope this helps.

    Default Gravatar
    MarkSeptember 12, 2023

    I.m looking for a good plan for calling back to Australia when I,m on holidays in Thailand , as I,ll basically it.ll be a working holiday.who has the best rates?

    Default Gravatar
    HalynaSeptember 28, 2018

    I am looking for sim card or prepaid plan only offering international calls to Ukraine.

      Default Gravatar
      NikkiSeptember 28, 2018

      Hi Halyna,

      Thanks for your message and for contacting finder.

      The information above shows the list of providers who will allow you to make international calls to Ukraine.

      To check their prepaid plans, simply click the MORE INFO on the right side of their page or you can also visit their respective websites.
      Be sure to choose the prepaid plan that fits your needs and budget.

      Hope this helps! Feel free to message us should you have further questions.

      Cheers!

      Nikki

    Default Gravatar
    RonilSeptember 19, 2017

    I am looking for a prepaid plan or sim only plan with sufficient data (average 4GB) and free calls within Australia on any network and any number plus calls to Fiji

      Default Gravatar
      DanielleSeptember 19, 2017

      Hi Ronil,

      Thank you for contacting Finder.

      You may compare your options from our list of prepaid mobile plans and SIM only plans in Australia. On the page, is a comparison table you can use to find the right plan. You can compare different brands based on features, data, and price. When you are ready, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website to proceed with your purchase.

      I hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Danielle

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