A complete guide to telephone communications in Australia: a must-read guide for new immigrants

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australia Encyclopedia. Recently, I have received many inquiries from new immigrants and international students: "How should I make calls when I first arrive in Australia?" "How should I choose a mobile phone card to get the best deal?" Today, I will use real cases and compare operator rates to teach you how to quickly establish a communication plan in Australia and avoid being scammed and wasting money!


1. Three communication solutions you must know when landing in Australia

Solution 1: International Roaming Contingency Plan
China Mobile/China Unicom users can send "GMKT" to 10086 to activate Australian roaming with a daily cap of 30 yuan (including 500MB of data). It is recommended as a transitional solution, but please note:
• Incoming calls are $2.99 per minute
• Hotspot sharing may be limited
• Cost of using for more than 3 days is higher than local packages

Option 2: Quick card purchase at the airport
The Optus self-service card vending machines at Sydney/Melbourne Airport support Chinese interfaces. The $30 package includes 20GB of data and unlimited local calls. It only takes 8 minutes from getting off the plane to successful activation, which is suitable for newlyweds who need to contact airport pick-up or accommodation urgently.

Option 3: Supermarket Prepaid Card
Coles supermarket has an annual Amaysim package of $150 (35GB of traffic per month), which is $60 cheaper than buying directly from the official website. When purchasing, remember to show your student ID to get an extra 10GB of traffic.

2. In-depth analysis of Australia’s four major operators

3. 7 communication skills of senior immigrants

1. [Money-saving tips] Aldi Mobile uses Telstra network but charges as low as 40%, $25 per month for 15GB
2. [Emergency] You can call 000 even if the card is not inserted
3. [Number retention] Apply for the "number portability" service through the TPG official website and retain your original number when transferring to another network
4. [Traffic management] Download the operator's APP to set up traffic warnings (such as Optus's Usage Tracker)
5. [International Calls] Use Calling Code 0011+86+mobile phone number to call China directly, which is more stable than WeChat calls.
6. [WIFI Priority] Telstra users can access more than 500,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across Australia for free
7. [Package Upgrade] Contact customer service in the last 3 days of each month for hidden discounts (e.g. free data upgrade for Vodafone)

4. Authoritative answers to frequently asked questions

Q: Can Chinese mobile phones be used in Australia?
A: Models that support China Unicom/China Telecom (such as Huawei P40) can be used directly, and customized models of China Mobile need to confirm the frequency band. It is recommended to bring a full network compatible mobile phone.

Q: How can I avoid sky-high bills?
A: ① Turn off data roaming ② Apply for a prepaid package ③ Use data monitoring software ④ Connect to free WiFi (available in libraries/McDonald's)

Q: What documents are needed to apply for the card?
A: According to Australian telecommunications regulations, you need to provide: passport + visa + Australian address (hotel/school address can be used). Purchasing prepaid cards at some convenience stores can simplify the process.

Q: Do you recommend a Chinese news agency?
A: Chunghwa Telecom in Sydney's Chinatown provides Chinese services and can arrange exclusive packages with a Chinese customer service hotline, but the charges are usually around 15% higher than contacting the operator directly.

Australian Encyclopedia Assistant reminds: In 2023, the new regulations of the Australian Communications Authority require that all prepaid users must have at least one call or text message record every 180 days, otherwise the number will be recycled. It is recommended to set a mobile phone calendar reminder to avoid the expiration of important numbers.

Thank you for reading! I hope this guide can help you easily solve Australia's communication problems. If you still have questions, please leave a message in the comment area. The assistant will regularly sort out the hot issues that everyone is concerned about and answer them in special topics. I wish you all a smooth life in Australia!