How much does it cost to call China from Australia with Sayfone?

Sayfone charges 8¢/min for calls to both Chinese mobile and landline numbers. There are no connection fees, subscription charges, or hidden costs — you only pay for the minutes you use.

How do I dial a Chinese phone number from Australia?

For mobile numbers, dial +86 followed by the 11-digit number (starting with 1). For landlines, dial +86, then the area code (e.g. 10 for Beijing, 21 for Shanghai) without the leading 0, then the local number. Sayfone's dialer helps format numbers correctly.

Do I need to download an app to use Sayfone?

No. Sayfone works directly in your web browser on any device — desktop, tablet, or smartphone. Just open the website, enter the Chinese number, and call.

What is the time difference between Australia and China?

China uses a single time zone (UTC+8). Eastern Australia (AEST, UTC+10) is 2 hours ahead of China during standard time, and 3 hours ahead during daylight saving (AEDT, UTC+11). Perth (AWST, UTC+8) shares the same time as China year-round.

Will my call to China connect reliably through Sayfone?

Sayfone uses dedicated international voice routes designed to work with Chinese telecom infrastructure. While China has strict VoIP regulations that can affect some internet-based services, Sayfone's voice channels are optimised for reliable call delivery to mainland China.

Can I call both mobile and landline numbers in China?

Yes. Sayfone supports calls to Chinese mobile numbers (11-digit numbers starting with 1) and landline numbers in any city across mainland China, all at the same 8¢/min rate.

Are calls to Hong Kong or Macau included at the same rate?

Hong Kong (+852) and Macau (+853) use separate country codes and are not part of mainland China's +86 numbering plan. Rates for those destinations may differ — check Sayfone's rate page for Hong Kong and Macau pricing.

Australia → China

Call China from Australia for 8¢/min

Crystal-clear calls to any Chinese mobile or landline — open your browser, dial, and connect. No downloads, no subscriptions.

Call China Now

Just 8¢/min to China mobile and landline
Browser-based — no app install needed
Works on any device with an internet connection

Calculate your cost

🇦🇺From Australia

To China🇨🇳

$0.08

Per minute

+86

Country code

Call quality

🇦🇺

Active callers now: 260

Landline rate

$0.08/min

Mobile rate

$0.08/min

Same per-minute Sayfone rate for landline and mobile.

Average call quality

Estimate

Calculate your cost

Drag the slider to set your monthly minutes and call type for China. The totals below estimate what that volume could cost per month at typical retail rates compared to Sayfone—so you can see the full picture before you dial.

Monthly call minutes

Drag slider to adjust

220

min / month

Call type

AT&T / Verizon$862

~$3.92/min

T-Mobile$651

~$2.96/min

Calling cards$387

~$1.76/min

Google Voice$88

~$0.40/min

Sayfone$18

$0.080/min

Annual saving vs. AT&T

Based on 220 min/month

$10,138

Try Sayfone Free

WHY THIS ROUTE MATTERS

Why Australians Call China Every Day

From family check-ins to multi-billion-dollar trade coordination, the Australia-to-China calling corridor serves deeply personal and economic needs.

Family & Diaspora

Approximately 650,000 Chinese-born Australians maintain close ties with relatives on the mainland. Regular phone calls help bridge the distance for birthdays, Lunar New Year celebrations, and everyday updates with parents and grandparents.

China is the third largest source of overseas-born Australians at approximately 650,000
Australia sent US$3.5 billion in remittances to China in 2024, the second largest outbound corridor after India

Students & Education

China is consistently one of the top sources of international students in Australia. Students call home to stay connected with family, coordinate finances, and share milestones — making affordable, reliable calling essential throughout the academic year.

China ranks alongside India as the top source for new migrant arrivals and net migration to Australia

Business & Trade

China is Australia's largest trading partner, with A$327 billion in bilateral trade in 2023. Exporters, importers, and service providers in both countries rely on regular voice calls to coordinate shipments, negotiate deals, and manage cross-border operations.

China is Australia's largest trading partner with A$327 billion in total trade and A$219 billion in exports in 2023
Chinese community drives both personal family calls and high-frequency business communications with mainland contacts

SIMPLE PRICING

Rates That Make Sense

Calling China from Australia shouldn't be expensive. Sayfone offers straightforward per-minute pricing with no connection fees or monthly commitments.

Did You Know?

Australia sent US$3.5 billion in remittances to China in 2024 — the second-largest outbound corridor after India. Many of those transfers are coordinated over a quick phone call with family back home. Sayfone helps keep those conversations affordable at just 8¢/min.

Start Calling China

Sayfone Rates to China

Destination	Type	Rate/min
China	Mobile	8¢/min
China	Landline	8¢/min

Rates are billed per minute with no connection fees. Prices shown in USD.

GETTING STARTED

How It Works

Calling China from Australia with Sayfone takes just three simple steps — no app downloads, no SIM swaps, no complicated setup.

Instant access

Step 1

Open Sayfone in Your Browser

Visit Sayfone from any device — desktop, tablet, or smartphone. No app download required. Works on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and other modern browsers.

Dialer

+00 000 000 00

123

Start Calling Now

Step 2

Enter a China Phone Number

Type the number you want to reach. For Chinese mobiles, enter +86 followed by the 11-digit number. For landlines, enter +86, the area code (e.g. 10 for Beijing, 21 for Shanghai), and the local number.

HD audio from your browser

Step 3

Connect and Talk

Hit call and you're connected. Sayfone routes your call over high-quality voice channels at 8¢/min. You'll see your per-minute cost in real time — no surprises.

COMMON CHALLENGES

Why Calling China Can Be Tricky

China's telecommunications environment presents unique challenges for international callers. Understanding these helps you stay connected reliably.

VoIP Restrictions in China

China's telecommunications regulations can restrict or filter many VoIP-based calls entering the country. Some internet-based calling services are blocked entirely by network-level filtering. Sayfone uses dedicated voice channels designed to navigate these challenges for more reliable connections.

Complex Numbering Formats

Chinese phone numbers follow different formats for mobiles (11 digits starting with 1) and landlines (area code plus 7–8 digit local number). Getting even one digit wrong means your call won't connect. Sayfone's interface helps format numbers correctly for mainland China.

Time Zone Coordination

China operates on a single time zone (UTC+8) despite its geographic span. Eastern Australia (AEST) is typically 2 hours ahead — or 3 hours during daylight saving. Planning call times carefully avoids waking someone at an inconvenient hour.

High Carrier Rates

Traditional Australian carriers often charge premium rates for international calls to China, especially to mobile numbers. These costs add up quickly for families and businesses who need regular contact. Sayfone's 8¢/min rate offers a transparent, more affordable alternative.

Estimate

Estimate savings on one call to🇨🇳China

Pick duration and line type to see what you keep in your pocket versus typical retail rates.

I'm calling…

Country

▾

Call type

Call duration12 minutes

1 min10 min20 min30 min40 min50 min1 hr

Enable enterprise discount

Save additional 40% (enterprise)

Your call

Your call will cost

$0.96

$0.080 per minute

Sayfone$0.96$0.080 / min

Competitors$2.40$0.20 / min

Your savings$1.44$0.12 / min

That's 60% less than competitors

Call China now

TIPS & TIMING

Smart Calling: Australia to China

Make the most of your calls with these timing tips, practical advice, and cultural pointers for calling contacts in China.

Time & windows

Best for Family Calls

7:00 – 9:00 PM AEST

5:00 – 7:00 PM in China — after work/school, before dinner

Best for Business Calls

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM AEST

8:00 – 11:00 AM in China — morning business hours

Avoid Calling

Before 8:00 AM AEST

Before 6:00 AM in China — too early for most contacts

🇦🇺AEST (standard)

UTC+10 → China is 2 hours behindApplies April through early October

🇦🇺AEDT (daylight saving)

UTC+11 → China is 3 hours behindApplies October through early April in eastern states

🇦🇺AWST (Perth)

UTC+8 → Same time as ChinaPerth and western Australia share the same offset as Beijing year-round

Calling tips

Save Chinese numbers in international format (+86 ...) to avoid dialing errors when calling from Australia.
For landlines, drop the leading 0 from the area code when dialing internationally — e.g. Beijing is +86 10, not +86 010.
Chinese mobile numbers are always 11 digits starting with 1. If you have fewer digits, double-check the number.
Try scheduling regular call times with family — consistency makes it easier across time zones.
Use a strong Wi-Fi or data connection for the best call quality via Sayfone's browser-based service.

Business etiquette

Address contacts by their title and surname (e.g. Director Zhang) unless invited to use first names.
Punctuality is valued in Chinese business culture — call at the agreed time.
Mandarin is the primary business language; if your contact speaks limited English, consider having a bilingual colleague join the call.
Avoid calling during major holidays such as Chinese New Year (late January/February) or National Day (first week of October) unless it's personal.
Keep initial business calls focused and structured — lengthy small talk is less common in Chinese business phone etiquette than in some Western cultures.

Sources

1
TimeAndDate – Sydney to Beijing Time Converter
Supports time difference data

POPULAR DESTINATIONS

Cities Australians Call Most in China

Whether it's family in Shanghai, a supplier in Guangzhou, or a university in Beijing, these are the Chinese cities that receive the most calls from Australia.

Beijing

Call China from Australia

China's capital and political hub. Home to major universities, government institutions, and a vast business district. Area code: 10. Dial +86 10 followed by the 8-digit local number for landlines.

Best time to call from Australia: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM AEST (8:00 – 10:00 AM Beijing time)

Shanghai

Call China from Australia

China's financial capital and one of the world's busiest ports. A major destination for Australian trade and investment. Area code: 21. Dial +86 21 followed by the 8-digit local number for landlines.

Best time to call from Australia: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM AEST (8:00 – 11:00 AM Shanghai time)

Guangzhou

Call China from Australia

The capital of Guangdong province and a major manufacturing and trade centre — especially important for Australian importers. Area code: 20. Dial +86 20 followed by the 8-digit local number for landlines.

Best time to call from Australia: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM AEST (8:00 – 11:00 AM Guangzhou time)

Sources