Mobile International Roaming
International Roaming is the ability to use data, make and receive phone calls and/or SMS from an Australian mobile service whilst overseas by utilising other mobile networks. International Roaming is expensive and all mobile usage while overseas will be charged from your Prepaid Balance in addition to your monthly plan fee.
iiNet mobile customers can use International Roaming in selected countries and on selected cruise ships. Before you can use roaming, you’ll need to:
- Confirm that International Roaming is turned on in Toolbox before leaving Australia;
- Top up your Prepaid Balance in Toolbox; and
- Switch on roaming in your device settings.
Select one of the links below to jump to a query:
- Important facts about International Roaming
- Alternatives to International Roaming
- How to turn on International Roaming
- How to turn off International Roaming
- Using your mobile service while roaming
- Data charges while roaming
- Making international calls (including to Australia) while roaming
- Making local calls while roaming
- Calling an International Roaming customer from within Australia
- Calling an Australian International Roaming customer while outside of Australia
- Call rate increments while roaming
- Sending and receiving SMS while roaming
- Accessing voice mail while roaming
- View International Roaming usage in My Account
- How can I get help while I’m overseas?
Important facts about International Roaming
- International roaming is available to all iiNet customers from 29 November 2023. This has been turned on by default on all Mobile services sold after this date. If you’re an existing customer, you can switch this on in your Toolbox. See How to turn on International Roaming.
- If you need to turn on International Roaming after leaving Australia, please call us on +61 8 9214 2222 from any phone. You can’t turn on International Roaming through Toolbox if you have already departed Australia.
- Using your mobile phone overseas is expensive. In addition to higher call, SMS/MMS and data rates, you're also charged for receiving calls and MMS (picture/video) messages. Data, call and SMS/MMS rates vary depending on your location. Check specific roaming rates.
- All roaming usage will be charged to your Prepaid Balance, on a Pay As You Go basis, in addition to your monthly plan fee. If your Prepaid Balance is insufficient for a particular roaming charge, then that usage will be unavailable until you top up your Prepaid Balance.
- All calls, SMS/MMS and data charges (including social media use) while roaming are not included in your monthly call/SMS/MMS/data allowances.
- While roaming, your mobile usage details may take up to 48 hours to reach iiNet, meaning you won't see up-to-date usage information in Toolbox.
- International roaming rates and charges are subject to change. Always refer to the rates on our website before leaving Australia for the most up-to-date rates and charges.
- Mobile service while roaming is subject to network availability, individual device capabilities and limitations of overseas networks. Roaming may not be available in some countries.
- You are responsible for all charges accrued by use of your service while overseas, just like you are when you’re in Australia.
- Some mobile handsets may use frequencies that are not compatible with certain overseas networks.
- Network quality, coverage and capability can vary greatly from country to country. Some overseas networks may not have data, SMS/MMS, and/or call functionality.
- For these reasons, we don’t recommend that you use International Roaming where there are alternatives.
Alternatives to International Roaming
Local SIM
If your mobile phone is unlocked to all networks, you can purchase a SIM from a local mobile provider when you arrive at your destination.
Travel SIM
Travel SIMs may also offer good value and may allow you to pay with Australian Dollars as well. Make sure you will be able to receive your Travel SIM before you leave Australia if you purchase online.
WiFi
If you connect to a local WiFi network, you can access the internet without using your mobile data. To prevent mobile data use, you should disable Roaming and mobile data in your mobile phone settings, so the internet can only be accessed while connected to a WiFi network. If you have a smartphone, applications such as Skype and WhatsApp can be used to make calls and send messages using the WiFi network.
How to turn on International Roaming
International Roaming is turned on by default on all iiNet Mobile services sold after 29 November 2023. For all services purchased before this date, please follow the steps below.
Important: If International roaming is turned off on your iiNet Mobile service, you can only turn it back on through Toolbox while still in Australia. If you need to turn on International Roaming after leaving Australia, please call us on +61 8 9214 2222 from any phone.
-
Make sure that you read and understand the charges and rates applicable in your destination country.
-
Log in to Toolbox.
-
Under the Mobile Service, select Settings
-
Set the International Roaming ON/OFF switch to ON.
-
Select Enable International Roaming.
-
Once Pay As You Go International Roaming is enabled, you will receive an email and SMS. You can top up your mobile prepaid balance in Toolbox.
How to turn off International Roaming
Note: If you can't log into Toolbox and you need to turn off International Roaming, please call us on +61 8 9214 2222 from any phone.
-
Log in to Toolbox.
-
Under the Mobile Service, select Settings,
-
Set the International Roaming ON/OFF switch to OFF.
-
If the Pay As You Go International Roaming is disabled, you will receive an email and SMS.
Using your mobile service while roaming
-
Once you arrive at your destination, turn on your mobile device. Ensure roaming is switched on in your device settings.
-
If you have roaming activated on your account, most devices will automatically connect to a compatible network. If this is successful, you’ll see the network name on your device status bar.
-
If you're unable to connect to a network, try turning off your phone or doing a hard reset to see if it finds a network.
-
If no network displays, you’ll need to manually select a network (carrier). Please check the user manual for your mobile handset for instructions on how to do this. Note that not all carriers shown will be available for roaming usage.
-
You will not be charged if you do not answer an incoming call.
-
You will not be charged for receiving SMS.
Data charges while roaming
All data is charged in 10kB increments. A data session starts when you begin internet activity, either directly or indirectly* on your mobile device, and ends when your data connection is lost. A data connection is lost when:
- you turn your mobile device off;
- turn your data connection off;
- switch to flight mode;
- when you lose network reception; or
- your mobile device has not sent or received data for a period of time.
Charges | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 |
---|---|---|---|
Data | $0.50 per MB (charged per 10kB) | $0.50 per MB (charged per 10kB) | $0.50 per MB (charged per 10kB) |
Making international calls (including to Australia) while roaming
When dialling, use the international access prefix (+), followed by the country code and then the number you’d like to call. The county code for Australia is +61, which would replace the “0” in a call made within Australia.
For example, “08 1234 5678” would need to be dialled as “+618 1234 5678”.
Making local calls while roaming
Dial the number as it is found locally, including any local area codes.
Calling an International Roaming customer from within Australia
If you are in Australia and you’re calling a mobile phone number that is roaming overseas, there is no need to change the way you would dial their number. You will be charged standard mobile phone call rates.
Calling an Australian International Roaming customer while outside of Australia
When dialling, replace the first “0” with the Australian international access code +61. For example, “04 1234 5678” would need to be dialled as “+614 1234 5678”.
Call rate increments while roaming
While roaming, the following call types are all charged in 60-second increments, with a minimum charge of 60 seconds:
- Calling Australia while roaming, including another Australian mobile phone number.
- Making a local call.
- Making an international call whilst roaming.
- Receiving a call (this covers the cost of re-routing the call from Australia to the country you are currently in).
- Call rates vary depending on the Zone of the country you are roaming in. A list of countries and their Zones can be found on our website.
Charges | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 |
---|---|---|---|
Make and receive a call (per minute) ^ | $1.00 | $2.00 | $4.00 |
Access Voice Mail 121 or +61 414 121 121 (per minute) | $1.00 | $2.00 | $4.00 |
Call iiNet support +61 8 9214 2222 (per minute) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Sending and receiving SMS while roaming
- There are no charges for receiving an SMS while overseas.
- Sending an SMS to any mobile number while roaming will charge depending on the Zone (location) you are in.
Charges | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 |
---|---|---|---|
Sending an SMS to an AU mobile number | $0.50 | $1.00 | $1.00 |
Sending an SMS to a non-AU number | $0.50 | $1.00 | $1.00 |
Receive SMS | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
MMS to an AU number | Standard Domestic MMS rate + $0.50 per MB | Standard Domestic MMS rate + $1.00 per MB | Standard Domestic MMS rate + $15.50 per MB |
MMS to a non-AU number | Standard International MMS rate + $0.50 per MB | Standard International MMS rate + $1.00 per MB | Standard International MMS rate + $15.50 per MB |
Accessing voice mail while roaming
- To access voice mail from an overseas landline, dial +61414121121 and follow the prompts to enter your full mobile number and voice mail PIN.
View International Roaming usage in My Account
Note: It may take up to 48 hours for international roaming usage to be shown in Toolbox.
To view your call and SMS/MMS usage:
-
Log in to Toolbox.
-
Select Mobile Usage
-
Select Data to view a breakdown of your mobile data usage.
-
Select Talk & Text to view your calls and text history, and the amount charged to your Prepaid Balance.
How can I get help while I’m overseas?
You can contact our team while you’re away by calling +61 8 9214 2222.