What is the Best Time to Call Australia?
Australia follows 3 different time zones, which significantly differ from other countries. Due to these differences, connecting with people in Australia can be challenging.
Knowing the best time to call is essential for ensuring smooth and timely communication, whether you're contacting loved ones, colleagues, or clients. The best time to call Australia for business purposes is generally between 9 AM and 5 PM in the recipient's local Australian time zone. For personal calls, consider the recipient's availability and local time before calling.
Understanding Australia Time Zone
Australia has three main time zones due to its large geographical area, which has significant variations in local time. Here is the list of different time zones with an explanation:
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)
AEST is used in the eastern part of Australia, including major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Brisbane. It operates 10 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+10).
However, during daylight saving time (DST), Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra move to Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), which is UTC+11. Brisbane does not observe daylight saving time and remains on AEST (UTC+10) throughout the year.
Australian Central Standard Time (ACST)
ACST covers central regions of Australia, including Adelaide, Darwin, and Alice Springs. It is set at UTC+9:30, meaning it is 9 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. However, during daylight saving time, South Australia moves to Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT), which is UTC+10:30. Darwin and Alice Springs remain on ACST throughout the year.
Australian Western Standard Time (AWST)
Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) is used in the western part of Australia, which covers the city of Perth. It is set at UTC +8, which means 8 hours ahead of universal time. Western Australia does not observe daylight saving time, unlike other parts of Australia, so the time remains the same throughout the year.
Best Time To Call Australia From Other Countries
Australia’s standard working hour is 9 AM to 5 PM. Therefore, calling within time period is the best time to call Australia.
Following is the explanation of calling from different parts of the world:
Calling from the USA
While calling Australia from the USA, Australia is several hours ahead. The time difference depends on the specific US time zone and daylight saving time. The following table shows suitable times to call Brisbane between 9 AM and 11 AM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
| US Time Zone | Time Differences from AEST | Best Time to Call (From the USA) |
| Eastern Standard Time (EST) | 15 hours behind | 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM |
| Central Standard Time (CST) | 16 hours behind | 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM |
| Mountain Standard Time (MST) | 17 hours behind | 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM |
| Pacific Standard Time (PST) | 18 hours behind | 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM |
Note: The US calling times shown are on the previous calendar day. During US daylight saving time, the equivalent calling windows shift one hour later. When calling Sydney or Melbourne during Australian daylight saving time (AEDT), the equivalent US times shift one hour earlier. Check both locations' current time zones before calling.
Calling from Asia
The time differences between Australia and Asia can vary depending on the country and region. For many Asian countries, calling Australia in the morning or early afternoon can be convenient, depending on the destination city's time zone.
The following table shows suitable times to call Brisbane between 3 PM and 5 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
| Asia Region | Country / City | Difference from AEST | Best Time to Call (From Asia) |
| East Asia | Japan (Tokyo) | 1 hour behind | 2 PM – 4 PM |
| South Asia | India (New Delhi) | 4 hours 30 minutes behind | 1 PM – 3 PM |
| Southeast Asia | Singapore | 2 hours behind | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
| Western Asia | UAE (Dubai) | 6 hours behind | 9 AM – 11 AM |
Note: These calling times use Brisbane's Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST, UTC+10), which remains unchanged throughout the year. Time differences may vary within each Asian region. For Australian cities that observe daylight saving time, check the destination's current local time before calling.
Calling from UK
Australia and the UK are located in different hemispheres, with Australia several hours ahead. The exact time difference varies depending on the Australian city and daylight saving time. If you are calling Brisbane from the UK, early morning in the UK can correspond to late afternoon in Australia.
The following table shows suitable times to call Brisbane between 4 PM and 5 PM AEST.
| UK Time Zone | Difference from AEST | 6 AM – 7 AM |
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | 10 hours behind | 6 AM – 7 AM |
| British Summer Time (BST) | 9 hours behind | 7 AM – 8 AM |
Note: The UK follows BST during the summer months and GMT during the winter months. For Sydney, Melbourne, and other Australian cities observing daylight saving time, calling hours may differ.
Calling from Europe
The time difference between Europe and Australia varies depending on the location and season. In many European countries, early morning corresponds to late afternoon in Australia, making it a possible time for international business calls.
The following table shows suitable times to call Brisbane between 4 PM and 5 PM AEST.
| European Region / Example City | Time Difference from AEST | Standard Time Calling Hours | Best Time to Call (From Europe) |
| Western Europe (Lisbon) | 10 hours behind (WET); 9 hours behind (WEST) | 6 AM – 7 AM (WET) | 7 AM – 8 AM (WEST) |
| Central Europe (Paris) | 9 hours behind (CET); 8 hours behind (CEST) | 7 AM – 8 AM (CET) | 8 AM – 9 AM (CEST) |
| Eastern Europe (Athens) | 8 hours behind (EET); 7 hours behind (EEST) | 8 AM – 9 AM (EET) | 9 AM – 10 AM (EEST) |
Note: These timings are based on Brisbane's year-round AEST (UTC+10). European countries observing summer time move their clocks forward by one hour. Time differences may vary within each European region and when calling Australian cities that observe daylight saving time.
Tips for Scheduling Calls
To compare the time zone differences, you can use different time zone tools and apps to schedule your call at the right time.
Time Zone Tools
The time zone tools help you quickly convert between time zones. Examples of such tools include Time finder, Boomerang, Timezone, Oi, and World Clock meeting planner.
Scheduling Apps
Various scheduling apps can be used to find a comfortable time for all users. Applications such as Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook can be used to schedule the right time to call Australia.
Conclusion
To reach Australia at the best time, call between 9 AM and 5 PM in the recipient's local time zone for business purposes. Before calling, compare your local time with the destination city's time, considering any daylight saving changes, to avoid inappropriate call timing. You can use different time zone tools to convert your local time into Australian time zone.
Additionally, you can use a VoIP phone system from Calilio to schedule your calls. It comes with the VoIP features that helps you track your calls, set timers, call scheduling and many others. Not only this, you can get an Australian virtual number and call Australia from any other country at local rates.
Is Australia 12 hours ahead of the USA?
Australia is not always 12 hours ahead of the USA. The time difference generally ranges from 12 to 19 hours across the four main contiguous US time zones and Australia's major time zones, depending on the cities and daylight saving time.
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