How to call India from Australia

By Dylan Crismale

Last updated 12 January 2024

Contents

In this guide:

Calling India from Australia
How to call India with Telstra
How to call India with Optus
How to call India with Vodafone
International calls to India with other providers
What if my provider doesn't include calls to India?

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:

Postpaid plans
Prepaid plans

$49 Small SIM Only Plan

100GB data
Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get 100GB for $39 (incl. 50GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $49 Small plan. T&Cs apply.

$39/mth

Min. cost $39

Go to Site

$39/mth

Min. cost $39

Go to Site

$55 Optus Choice Plus Plan

50GB data
Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device

$55/mth

Min. cost $55

Go to Site

$55/mth

Min. cost $55

Go to Site

$65 Basic Upfront SIM Plan

50GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get your first 3 months device protect on Telstra, then $10/mth.

$65/mth

Min. cost $65

Link not supplied

$65/mth

Min. cost $65

Link not supplied

Optus Prepaid $35 SIM

40GB Speed capped at 150Mbps
Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device
Deal: 40GB on first 3 recharges before 28/04/25 for new services only. Note plan changes from 28/4/2025. Fair Go Policy and T&Cs apply.

$35

Per 28 Day Renewal

Go to Site

$35

Per 28 Day Renewal

Go to Site

$35 Prepaid Plus Recharge

25GB data
Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get $5 off every Automatic Recharge when you opt-in to Automatic Recharge

$35

Per 28 Day Renewal

Link not supplied

$35

Per 28 Day Renewal

Link not supplied

$39 Pre-Paid Mobile

55GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Includes 40GB bonus data on first 3 recharges.

$39

Per 28 Day Renewal

Link not supplied

$39

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	iiNet	iiNet 25GB Small Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: 50% off - $12.50/mth for first 6 months, then $25/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#2	iiNet	iiNet 50GB Medium Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#3	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $19.90 Extra Small Plan 10GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: $19.90 SIM for $8 online until 04.05.25 New customers only. T&Cs apply. $19.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$19.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#4	iiNet	iiNet 100GB Large Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $22.50/mth for first 6 months, then $45/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#5	Dodo	Dodo $23 Mobile Plan 15GB data On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $23/mth Min. cost $23 Go to Site	$23/mth Min. cost $23	Go to Site
#6	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $24.90 Small Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Includes 15GB bonus data for first 3 recharges + 200 bonus std mins to selected countries when you activate by 11.08.25 $24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#7	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick $28 Mobile Plan 30GB data On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network Deal: 50% off for first 3 mths! Get the $28 Mobile Plan for $14/mth for the first 3 mths. New customers only. Offer ends 06.05.25 $28/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$28/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#8	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $29.90 Medium Plan 80GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $29.90 SIM for $12 online until 04.05.25 + Includes 45GB bonus data for first 3 recharges + 300 bonus std mins to selected countries. $29.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$29.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#9	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 32GB Plan 32GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $20 & get 18GB bonus data for first renewal when you sign up by 30.04.25. Online only. T&Cs apply $30 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$30 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#10	Dodo	Dodo $33 Mobile Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps On the Optus 5G Mobile Network Deal: 50% off for first 3 mths! Get the $33 Mobile Plan for $16.50/mth for the first 3 mths. New customers only. Offer ends 06.05.25 $33/mth Min. cost $16.50 Go to Site	$33/mth Min. cost $16.50	Go to Site

How to call India with Telstra

These SIM-only plans include 30 minutes of calls to standard overseas numbers including India.

#1	Telstra	Telstra $65 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan 50GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get your first 3 months device protect on Telstra, then $10/mth. $65/mth Min. cost $65 Link not supplied	$65/mth Min. cost $65	Link not supplied
#2	Telstra	Telstra $65 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan 50GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get your first 3 months device protect on Telstra, then $10/mth. $65/mth Min. cost $65 Link not supplied	$65/mth Min. cost $65	Link not supplied
#3	Telstra	Telstra $65 Basic Upfront SIM Plan 50GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get your first 3 months device protect on Telstra, then $10/mth. $65/mth Min. cost $65 Link not supplied	$65/mth Min. cost $65	Link not supplied
#4	Telstra	Telstra $75 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan 180GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get your first 3 months device protect on Telstra, then $10/mth. $75/mth Min. cost $75 Link not supplied	$75/mth Min. cost $75	Link not supplied
#5	Telstra	Telstra $75 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan 180GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get your first 3 months device protect on Telstra, then $10/mth. $75/mth Min. cost $75 Link not supplied	$75/mth Min. cost $75	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 $39 Pre-Paid Mobile 55GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 40GB bonus data on first 3 recharges. $39 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$39 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	Telstra	Telstra $49 Pre-Paid Mobile 80GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 55GB bonus data on first 3 recharges. $49 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$49 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	Telstra	Telstra $59 Pre-Paid Mobile 100GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps 4GX on the Telstra Mobile Network Deal: Includes 65GB bonus data on first 3 recharges. $59 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$59 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Telstra	Telstra $69 Pre-Paid Mobile 125GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 55GB bonus data on first 3 recharges. $69 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$69 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	Telstra	Telstra $180 Pre-Paid Mobile SIM Starter Kit 150GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 80GB bonus data on activation or first recharge. $180 Per 6 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$180 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 Optus Prepaid $35 SIM 40GB Speed capped at 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 40GB on first 3 recharges before 28/04/25 for new services only. Note plan changes from 28/4/2025. Fair Go Policy and T&Cs apply. $35 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$35 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#2	Optus	Optus Optus Prepaid $45 SIM 60GB Speed capped at 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: Get unlimited data, every weekend when you stay connected with AutoRecharge. Fair Go Policy and T&Cs apply. $45 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$45 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus Optus Prepaid $55 SIM 80GB Speed capped at 250Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: Get unlimited data, every weekend when you stay connected with AutoRecharge. Fair Go Policy and T&Cs apply. $55 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$55 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#4	Optus	Optus $55 Optus Choice Plus Plan 50GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $55/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site
#5	Optus	Optus $55 Optus Choice Plus Plan 50GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $55/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site

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 $35 SIM 40GB Speed capped at 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 40GB on first 3 recharges before 28/04/25 for new services only. Note plan changes from 28/4/2025. Fair Go Policy and T&Cs apply. $35 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$35 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#2	Optus	Optus Optus Prepaid $45 SIM 60GB Speed capped at 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: Get unlimited data, every weekend when you stay connected with AutoRecharge. Fair Go Policy and T&Cs apply. $45 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$45 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus Optus Prepaid $55 SIM 80GB Speed capped at 250Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: Get unlimited data, every weekend when you stay connected with AutoRecharge. Fair Go Policy and T&Cs apply. $55 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$55 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site

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 $69 Large Plan 720GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 720GB for $59 (incl. 360GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $69 Large plan. T&Cs apply. $59/mth Min. cost $59 Go to Site	$59/mth Min. cost $59	Go to Site
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone $69 Large Plan 720GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 720GB for $59 (incl. 360GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $69 Large plan. T&Cs apply. $59/mth Min. cost $59 Go to Site	$59/mth Min. cost $59	Go to Site
#3	Vodafone	Vodafone $69 Large SIM Only Plan 720GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 720GB for $59 (incl. 360GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $69 Large plan. T&Cs apply. $59/mth Min. cost $59 Go to Site	$59/mth Min. cost $59	Go to Site

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:

$35 Prepaid Plus Recharge

25GB data
Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get $5 off every Automatic Recharge when you opt-in to Automatic Recharge

$35

Per 28 Day Renewal

Link not supplied

$35

Per 28 Day Renewal

Link not supplied

$45 Prepaid Plus Recharge

35GB data
Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get $5 off every Automatic Recharge when you opt-in to Automatic Recharge

$45

Per 28 Day Renewal

Link not supplied

$45

Per 28 Day Renewal

Link not supplied

$55 Prepaid Plus Recharge

50GB data
Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get $5 off every Automatic Recharge when you opt-in to Automatic Recharge

$55

Per 28 Day Renewal

Link not supplied

$55

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 32GB Plan 32GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $20 & get 18GB bonus data for first renewal when you sign up by 30.04.25. Online only. T&Cs apply $30 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$30 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 80GB Plan 80GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $25 for first renewal when you sign up by 30.04.25 $40 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$40 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 120GB Plan 120GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $50 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$50 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 150GB Long Expiry 150GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network Deal: Get 150GB for $109 (includes $41 off) on first renewal. Offer ends 30.04.25 $109 Per 182 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$109 Per 182 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 240GB Long Expiry 240GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network Deal: Get 240GB for $225 (includes $75 off) on first renewal. Offer ends 30.04.25 $225 Per 365 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$225 Per 365 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

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 $23 Mobile Plan 15GB data On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $23/mth Min. cost $23 Go to Site	$23/mth Min. cost $23	Go to Site
#2	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick $28 Mobile Plan 30GB data On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network Deal: 50% off for first 3 mths! Get the $28 Mobile Plan for $14/mth for the first 3 mths. New customers only. Offer ends 06.05.25 $28/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$28/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#3	Dodo	Dodo $33 Mobile Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps On the Optus 5G Mobile Network Deal: 50% off for first 3 mths! Get the $33 Mobile Plan for $16.50/mth for the first 3 mths. New customers only. Offer ends 06.05.25 $33/mth Min. cost $16.50 Go to Site	$33/mth Min. cost $16.50	Go to Site
#4	Dodo	Dodo $38 Mobile Plan 60GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps On the Optus 5G Mobile Network $38/mth Min. cost $38 Go to Site	$38/mth Min. cost $38	Go to Site

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.

#1	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $19.90 Extra Small Plan 10GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: $19.90 SIM for $8 online until 04.05.25 New customers only. T&Cs apply. $19.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$19.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#2	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $24.90 Small Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Includes 15GB bonus data for first 3 recharges + 200 bonus std mins to selected countries when you activate by 11.08.25 $24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#3	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $29.90 Medium Plan 80GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $29.90 SIM for $12 online until 04.05.25 + Includes 45GB bonus data for first 3 recharges + 300 bonus std mins to selected countries. $29.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$29.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#4	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $39.90 Large Plan 130GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 80GB bonus data for first 3 recharges when you activate by 11.08.25 + 100 bonus std mins to selected countries. $39.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$39.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#5	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $49.90 Extra Large Plan 200GB data at download speeds up to 200Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $49.90 SIM for $19 online until 04.05.25 + Includes 100GB bonus data for first 3 recharges + 100 bonus std mins to selected countries. $49.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$49.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site

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 65GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Grab a $39 SIM for $13 – save $26. Hurry! Offer ends 12 May 2025. Terms Apply $39 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$39 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#2	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $49 Prepaid 95GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 95GB data for first 3 recharges, then 35GB from 4th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 07.07.25 $49 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$49 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#3	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $59 Prepaid 120GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 120GB data for the first 3 recharges, then 45GB from 4th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 07.07.25 $59 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$59 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#4	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $74 Prepaid 160GB Uncapped download speed Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 160GB data for the first 3 recharges, then 90GB from 4th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 07.07.25 $74 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$74 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#5	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $300 Prepaid 290GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 290GB data on your first recharge, then 240GB from 2nd recharge. Activate by 07.07.25 $300 Per 12 Month Renewal Go to Site	$300 Per 12 Month Renewal	Go to Site

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.