Telephones
Public telephones (payphones)
There are payphones located at the airport, some suburban shopping centres, railway stations and other public centres. A local call costs 50 cents and is charged per call, regardless of how long the call will be. Phone cards come in denominations of $5, $10, $20 and $50 and can be purchased from most newsagents and supermarkets. Phone cards may also give you cheaper rates when calling overseas.
Private telephones
When moving into a new home there will usually be an existing telephone line from the previous inhabitant. To have this service reconnected so that you have access to the phone, Telstra will charge a fee. Please note in the rare circumstances where there is no physical line to the property, a Telstra technician will need to be called to install this at a cost. Please note that there are a number of phone company providers in Australia who offer different rates for both local and long distance calls. When you arrive in Perth you can explore these options further.
Mobile phones
If you plan to bring your mobile phone with you to Australia, check first that your SIM card is compatible and not blocked for international use. Alternatively, you can simply purchase a SIM card in Perth. SIM cards come in plan or pre-paid formats and are available from Post Offices and phone shops. We suggest you speak to students who have been in Australia for some time for tips on the best phone companies and networks to use. It is important to note that some phone companies will not supply services to people who are temporary residents in Australia.
Translating and interpreting services
Dial 13 14 50 anytime for assistance in the following languages: Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese. Interpreting charges may apply.