After England, India is the second highest source of overseas birth in Australia, so it's no shock that many Aussies have friends and family back home.
Keeping in touch has never been easier and with plenty of providers offering calls to India as a standard inclusion, you could already be using a mobile phone plan that allows you to call at no extra cost.
Calling India from Australia

If you're with a telco that offers calls to India here's how you do it:
- On your mobile phone, use the "+" sign in order to dial outside of the country. The "+" sign can also be substituted with 0011. Both serve as Australia's exit code.
- Next, add the country code. In this case, the country code for India is 91.
- Add the area code, you'll need to drop the zero at the start. E.g. if the area code is 04 it will become 4.
- Enter the rest of the phone number you would like to call and dial.
Putting it all together, if you were trying to call the number 0412 345 678 you could dial either:
+91 412 345 678 or 0011 91 412 345 678
Here are the cheapest prepaid and postpaid plans from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone with included international calls to India:
|
#1
|
Optus
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
|
#2
|
Vodafone
|
Vodafone
$58 Small SIM Only Plan
$45.00/mth
Min. cost $45
Link not supplied
|
$45.00/mth
Min. cost $45
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront SIM Plan
$64.00/mth
Min. cost $64
Link not supplied
|
$64.00/mth
Min. cost $64
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#1
|
Optus
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
|
#2
|
Vodafone
|
Vodafone
$40 Prepaid Plus Recharge
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
|
Telstra
$44 Pre-Paid Mobile
$44.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
$44.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
Link not supplied
|
And for those looking outside the big three telcos, here are some plans with international calls to India from some smaller telcos:
|
#1
|
Dodo
|
Dodo
Small Mobile Plan
$25.00/mth
Min. cost $25
|
$25.00/mth
Min. cost $25
|
|
|
#2
|
Lebara Mobile
|
Lebara Mobile
$25 SIM Plan
$25.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
$25.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Dodo
|
Dodo
Medium Mobile Plan
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
|
|
#4
|
amaysim
|
amaysim
UNLIMITED 42GB Plan
$35.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$35.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#5
|
Boost Mobile
|
Boost Mobile
$39 Prepaid
$39.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$39.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#6
|
Dodo
|
Dodo
Large Mobile Plan
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $20
|
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $20
|
|
|
#7
|
amaysim
|
amaysim
UNLIMITED 80GB Plan
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#8
|
amaysim
|
amaysim
UNLIMITED 95GB Plan
$45.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$45.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#9
|
Boost Mobile
|
Boost Mobile
$49 Prepaid
$49.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$49.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#10
|
amaysim
|
amaysim
UNLIMITED 120GB Plan
$50.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$50.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
How to call India with Telstra
These SIM-only plans include 30 minutes of calls to standard overseas numbers including India.
|
#1
|
Telstra
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$64.00/mth
Min. cost $64
Link not supplied
|
$64.00/mth
Min. cost $64
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$64.00/mth
Min. cost $64
Link not supplied
|
$64.00/mth
Min. cost $64
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront SIM Plan
$64.00/mth
Min. cost $64
Link not supplied
|
$64.00/mth
Min. cost $64
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Telstra
|
Telstra
$84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan
$84.00/mth
Min. cost $84
Link not supplied
|
$84.00/mth
Min. cost $84
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Telstra
|
Telstra
$84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan
$84.00/mth
Min. cost $84
Link not supplied
|
$84.00/mth
Min. cost $84
|
Link not supplied
|
If you're after more than 30 minutes a month you'll need to purchase an International Call Pack from $10. This includes unlimited calls to India and 22 other Zone 1 destinations with a monthly expiry.
Telstra prepaid customers also get a certain amount of international call minutes per recharge. All of Telstra's prepaid SIMs from the $35 recharge and above include a minimum of 300 minutes of international calls to Zone 1 destinations including India.
See Telstra's prepaid plans with included calls to India:
|
#1
|
Telstra
|
Telstra
$44 Pre-Paid Mobile
$44.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
$44.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
|
Telstra
$54 Pre-Paid Mobile
$54.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
$54.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
|
Telstra
$64 Pre-Paid Mobile
$64.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
$64.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Telstra
|
Telstra
$74 Pre-Paid Mobile
$74.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
$74.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Telstra
|
Telstra
$200 Pre-Paid Mobile Plan
$200.00
Per 6 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
|
$200.00
Per 6 Month Renewal
|
Link not supplied
|
How to call India with Optus
Optus customers on a $59 per month and upwards Optus Choice Plus Plan get unlimited standard international calls to India and 34 other destinations.
|
#1
|
Optus
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
|
#2
|
Optus
|
Optus
Small Promo Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
|
#3
|
Optus
|
Optus
Small Promo Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
|
#4
|
Optus
|
Optus
Optus Prepaid $40 SIM (AutoRecharge only)
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#5
|
Optus
|
Optus
Optus Prepaid $44 SIM
$44.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$44.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
On the prepaid side of things Optus' Flex Plans from the $35 recharge come with a minimum of 400 standard international call minutes to India and 19 other destinations.
Here are Optus' prepaid plans:
|
#1
|
Optus
|
Optus
Optus Prepaid $40 SIM (AutoRecharge only)
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#2
|
Optus
|
Optus
Optus Prepaid $44 SIM
$44.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$44.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#3
|
Optus
|
Optus
Optus Prepaid $50 SIM (AutoRecharge only)
$50.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$50.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#4
|
Optus
|
Optus
Optus Prepaid $54 SIM
$54.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$54.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#5
|
Optus
|
Optus
Optus Prepaid $64 SIM
$64.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$64.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
Customers on plans that don't have international calls included are either subject to call rates or will need to get the $5 International Talk add-on. The add-on has a 28-day expiry and gives you 300 standard international minutes in 50 destinations including India.
How to call India with Vodafone
Vodafone postpaid plans from $50 and above come with unlimited standard international calls to India and 35 other destinations included.
|
#1
|
Vodafone
|
Vodafone
$78 Large SIM Only Plan
$55.00/mth
Min. cost $55
Link not supplied
|
$55.00/mth
Min. cost $55
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Vodafone
|
Vodafone
$58 Small Plan
$58.00/mth
Min. cost $58
Link not supplied
|
$58.00/mth
Min. cost $58
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Vodafone
|
Vodafone
$58 Small Plan
$58.00/mth
Min. cost $58
Link not supplied
|
$58.00/mth
Min. cost $58
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Vodafone
|
Vodafone
$58 Small Plan
$58.00/mth
Min. cost $58
Link not supplied
|
$58.00/mth
Min. cost $58
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Vodafone
|
Vodafone
$68 Medium Plan
$68.00/mth
Min. cost $68
Link not supplied
|
$68.00/mth
Min. cost $68
|
Link not supplied
|
Prepaid plan customers also get international calls to India included. You receive a minimum of 500 minutes starting from the cheapest recharge.
Here are Vodafone's eligible prepaid plans:
|
#1
|
Vodafone
|
Vodafone
$40 Prepaid Plus Recharge
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Vodafone
|
Vodafone
$50 Prepaid Plus Recharge
$50.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
$50.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Vodafone
|
Vodafone
$60 Prepaid Plus Recharge
$60.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
$60.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
Link not supplied
|
If your Vodafone plan doesn't come with included calls to India you'll be charged pay as you go rates. Or, on postpaid plans you can activate a one-off International Talk booster from $5. It comes with 240 minutes of calls to 37 destinations including India.
Prepaid plan customers who want more minutes can activate a 50 Countries add-on. Prices and expiry periods are as follows:
- $5 for 30 minutes on a 28-day expiry
- $7 for 60 minutes on a seven-day expiry
- $15 for 120 minutes on a 28-day expiry
International calls to India with other providers
Many smaller telcos, or Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) will also either offer plans with included calls to India or have add-on options. Here are a few more options:
amaysim
amaysim offers its customers on its $30 28-day expiry plans and up unlimited international standard calls to India. You can also get unlimited calls to India on its 7-day expiry plan and $300 long expiry plan.
|
#1
|
amaysim
|
amaysim
UNLIMITED 42GB Plan
$35.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$35.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#2
|
amaysim
|
amaysim
UNLIMITED 80GB Plan
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#3
|
amaysim
|
amaysim
UNLIMITED 95GB Plan
$45.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$45.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#4
|
amaysim
|
amaysim
UNLIMITED 120GB Plan
$50.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$50.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#5
|
amaysim
|
amaysim
UNLIMITED 150GB Long Expiry
$99.00
Per 184 Day Renewal
|
$99.00
Per 184 Day Renewal
|
amaysim is on the Optus network.
Dodo
Dodo's postpaid plans over $20 per month come with at least $100 of international call credit to India and other select countries.
|
#1
|
Dodo
|
Dodo
Small Mobile Plan
$25.00/mth
Min. cost $25
|
$25.00/mth
Min. cost $25
|
|
|
#2
|
Dodo
|
Dodo
Medium Mobile Plan
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
|
|
#3
|
Dodo
|
Dodo
Large Mobile Plan
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $20
|
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $20
|
Dodo operates on the Optus network.
Lebara Mobile
Lebara offers 300 minutes of international calls to eight countries including India on its cheapest 30-day expiry plan. All of its other 30-day expiry plans come with unlimited calls to a minimum of 26 destinations.
|
Lebara Mobile
|
Lebara Mobile
$25 SIM Plan
$25.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
$25.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
Link not supplied
|
Lebara operates on the Telstra network.
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile offers unlimited calls to India as a standard inclusion on all its 28-day expiry plans. You also get 19 other destinations included.
Only Boost's cheapest plan, the 7-day expiry and the most expensive long expiry plan don't include international calls. There are no add-ons so you would be charged pay-as-you-go rates on those plans.
|
#1
|
Boost Mobile
|
Boost Mobile
$39 Prepaid
$39.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$39.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#2
|
Boost Mobile
|
Boost Mobile
$49 Prepaid
$49.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$49.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#3
|
Boost Mobile
|
Boost Mobile
$59 Prepaid
$59.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$59.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#4
|
Boost Mobile
|
Boost Mobile
$74 Prepaid
$74.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
$74.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
|
#5
|
Boost Mobile
|
Boost Mobile
$180 Prepaid
$160.00
Per 6 Month Renewal
|
$160.00
Per 6 Month Renewal
|
Boost utilises the Telstra network.
What if my provider doesn't include calls to India?
If you want to make calls from Australia to Inida but your provider doesn't offer it on your plan it's usually simplest to see if you have the option of upgrading to a plan that does or look into adding an international calls pack. If that isn't an option you may have to switch to a provider who does.
Another option is to resort to free options like FaceTime, WhatsApp, Instagram, Skype etc. You just need to be connected to the internet via WiFi or have enough mobile data.
Dylan Crismale
Digital Content Editor