Call family overseas like they're next door.
An international SIM is an Australian mobile plan with overseas calling built in. For a few hundred thousand Australians with family in India, the Philippines, China, Nepal and beyond, the right plan turns international calling from a luxury into something you do casually, mid-week, no second thoughts.
An international SIM in Australia is just your normal AU mobile plan, chosen for its overseas calling inclusions. Lyca Mobile is widely regarded as the best AU SIM for international calling, standard prepaid plans include unlimited international calls to 60+ countries at no extra cost. Superloop includes unlimited international calls to 15 countries. You dial overseas numbers the same way as any other call, the inclusions cover the cost.
What is an international SIM, exactly?
An international SIM is not a separate SIM card. It is your everyday Australian mobile plan, chosen for the overseas calling allowances included. The same SIM handles your AU calls, texts and data, plus international calls to your chosen destinations, all on the one number, with one bill, one recharge.
For Australians with family or close ties overseas, this is a different need from what most general SIM-only marketing addresses. You are not occasionally travelling, you are calling home regularly from Australia, often weekly or daily. The cost of those calls is what matters, and the right plan turns this from a per-minute worry into something you do casually.
Two providers stand out: Lyca Mobile, originally founded specifically to serve immigrant and diaspora communities, includes unlimited international calls to a generous list of countries in its standard prepaid plans. Superloop includes unlimited calls to 15 countries. Both are everyday Australian SIMs that happen to include the international calling features many other plans charge extra for.
Where Australians call most, and what's included
The destinations below are the most common overseas calling destinations for Australians. Each is included as unlimited or generous-minute calling on the recommended plans. Country codes are shown for reference.
India
Unlimited calls on Lyca standard plans. Largest expat community in Australia at over 1 million.
Philippines
Unlimited calls on Lyca standard plans. Second-largest source country for AU migration.
China
Unlimited calls on Lyca standard plans. Note WeChat is often more practical for family already on it.
Nepal
Unlimited calls on Lyca standard plans. One of the fastest-growing AU migrant communities.
Vietnam
Unlimited calls on Lyca standard plans. 300,000+ Vietnamese Australians, established community.
Bangladesh
Unlimited calls on Lyca standard plans. Strong demand for affordable international calling.
Thailand
Unlimited calls on Lyca standard plans. Major retiree and expat destination.
South Korea
Unlimited calls on Lyca standard plans. Growing community in Sydney and Melbourne.
United Kingdom
Unlimited calls on both Lyca and Superloop. Historical migration ties remain strong.
United States
Unlimited calls on both Lyca and Superloop. Family, business and study connections.
New Zealand
Unlimited calls on both Lyca and Superloop. Closest neighbour and high cross-border traffic.
230+ other countries
Lyca offers pay-as-you-go rates to over 230 destinations beyond the included list. Top-up balance covers the call.
Country lists vary by plan tier and change occasionally. The live, full list is shown when you sign up. Verified May 2026.
Best Australian SIMs for calling overseas
Two plans stand out for international calling: Lyca's entry $20 plan for everyday calls home, and Lyca's $40 plan for heavier callers wanting more data alongside the inclusions. Superloop is the strong alternative if your destinations all sit within its 15-country list.
Lyca Unlimited 20
Vodafone network- Unlimited calls and SMS in Australia
- Unlimited international calls to 60 plus selected countries
- 20 GB data, with data rollover up to 500 GB
- Pay-as-you-go rates to 230+ other destinations
- 28-day prepaid, no lock-in
- eSIM or physical SIM
Superloop 5G plans
Telstra network- Unlimited calls and SMS in Australia
- Unlimited international calls to 15 selected countries
- 5G access included on most plans
- Data banking up to 1000 GB on higher tiers
- 30-day prepaid, no lock-in
- eSIM or physical SIM
Calling overseas from Australia, step by step
When apps or other services suit better
A SIM plan is not always the right answer. For some situations, free apps or specialised services do the job at lower cost. Honest comparison below.
WhatsApp, Messenger, FaceTime
If the person you call also uses one of these apps, voice and video calls are free and use only your data. Best for friends and immediate family overseas. Limit: only works if both ends have the app.
Calling card services
Prepaid international calling cards offer low per-minute rates to obscure destinations. Trade-off: you dial an access number first, enter a PIN, then dial the international number. More steps each time, but rates can be lowest for less-common destinations.
VOIP services (Skype, Google Voice)
Internet-based calling lets you call any phone (mobile or landline) overseas at low rates. Best for: occasional calls to destinations not included on your plan, or to landlines where apps aren't an option. Requires Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Common questions about international SIMs
What is an international SIM in Australia?
What is the best SIM for calling overseas from Australia?
How do I call overseas from Australia?
0011 followed by the country code, then the local number (drop the leading 0 if there is one). For example, to call a UK number 020 7946 0000, you would dial 0011 44 20 7946 0000. From a mobile, you can also use + instead of 0011, so +44 20 7946 0000 works the same way. The + symbol is found by holding 0 on most phones.Which countries can I call for free with Lyca Mobile in Australia?
Is it cheaper to use WhatsApp than an international SIM?
How does a prepaid international plan compare to a calling card?
Do international calls use my data or minutes?
Can I send international SMS from an Australian SIM?
Ready to call home without thinking about the bill?
Lyca Mobile's standard prepaid plans include unlimited calls to 60+ countries from $20 per 28 days. Same SIM handles your AU calls, texts and data, all on one number.
View Lyca Mobile plans