Telephones
Emergency Services
In Australia, dial 000 from any phone for all fire, ambulance and police emergencies.
Do NOT dial 911 in Australia as this is NOT the number for emergency services.
112 is the GSM international standard emergency number which can only be dialled on digital mobile phones. 112 can be dialed anywhere in the world with GSM coverage and is automatically translated to that countys emergency number. However, whilst in Australia you are advised to always dial 000 first as this is a direct connection to emergency services and can be dialled from any type of phone.
Public Telephones
Phone calls can be made from any public telephone. Public phones are located on-campus, at most railway stations, in shopping centres, and in other public areas. Local phone calls cost 40 cents. Long distance (STD) and international (IDD) calls can also be made from these phones.
There are coin payphones, phones that use phone cards and credit card phones. Phone cards are available from newsagents, convenience stores and post offices. The UniShop and Post Office on campus both sell phone cards in a range of denominations (usually $5, $10, $20 and $50).
To make an international phone call from within Australia:
Dial the International Access Code (0011) + the country code + the area code (if required) + the telephone number
To make a phone call from within Australia to a number in another area of Australia:
Dial the area code + the telephone number
Australian Area Codes
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Australian Capital Territory & New South Wales
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02
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Victoria & Tasmania
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03
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Queensland
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07
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Western Australia, South Australia & Northern Territory
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08
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Visit the White Pages or Yellow Pages for directories of residential and commercial telephone numbers in Australia, and also country and area codes.
For friends and family to call you in Australia:
They will need to dial the International Access Code (this varies in each country) + Australias country code (61) + 2nd digit of the area code + your phone number.
For example, as the area code for New South Wales is 02, to dial the number 4221 3218 in Wollongong from overseas would require:
International Access code + 61 2 4221 3218
Mobile Telephones
Mobile telephones (cellular phones) are not a necessity but many international students choose to bring their existing mobile phone, or purchase a new one upon arrival, to use throughout their time in Wollongong.
Using your existing phone in Australia
If your existing mobile phone provider has an International Roaming Agreement with a network in Australia, you can use your phone to make and receive calls in Australia just as you do at home. Calls made in Australia will be charged to your account at home in your local currency. You may also be charged for incoming calls. The caller will pay usual phone rates. Your home network provider will be able to give you further details about charges for International Roaming. This service can be quite expensive, so it is important for you to be aware of all charges that may apply.
You should also check that the technology and handset that you currently use are supported by mobile phone networks in Australia. The most common type of mobile phone technologies is GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications). The majority of phones in Australia are connected to GSM networks which operate on 900MHz and 1800MHz frequencies. Your home network provider will be able to advise you whether your phone is compatible with networks in Australia.
Visit the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for further information about Australian mobile phone technology and the compatibility of overseas equipment.
Purchasing a mobile phone in Australia
A cheaper alternative than international roaming may be purchasing a ‘pre-paid’ mobile phone pack upon arrival in Australia. These are available from the UniShop or Post Office on-campus and include a basic handset (if needed), a SIM card and a specific amount of calling credits. You can then purchase additional calling credits as needed. Pre-paid services are popular with students as there are no bills, contracts or minimum monthly commitments. An alternative option is a fixed-term contract where a set monthly fee is paid over a specified period of time (usually between 12 and 36 months) in return for a certain number of phone calls and access to services like voicemail. A handset may also be included.
For information on different mobiles available, visit:
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