International roaming when you’re on a prepaid recharge
This support article will give you key information about using your prepaid service while you’re overseas.
If you're on international roaming in the USA, you may be able to use VoLTE through some of their networks. Using VoLTE when you're on international roaming may give you a better call quality with a faster call connection. Find out more on our VoLTE support page.
How to activate international roaming.
The best way to activate and manage international roaming is through My Vodafone.
International roaming options.
There are over 80 selected countries where you can use Prepaid Roaming Add-on.
The best way to get a Prepaid Roaming Add-on is through My Vodafone.
You can also get an Add-on by sending a text message to 1511 with a relevant code and using your saved credit/debit card or your My Credit balance.
To use a Prepaid Roaming Add-on, make sure you have international roaming switched on in My Vodafone.
If you’re not heading to one of our more than 80 selected countries where you can use a Prepaid Roaming Add-on, you can use your My Credit with our prepaid roaming rates.
Additional information about Prepaid Roaming Add-ons.
Minutes included in your Prepaid Roaming Add-on are deducted when both making and receiving standard calls while in a selected country. Standard text messages are free to receive while overseas.
You can make standard calls:
- Within the country you’re visiting.
- To Australia.
- To other selected countries.
You can send standard text messages:
- To Australian mobile numbers.
- To international mobile numbers.
Prepaid Roaming Add-ons do not include MMS/PXT or video calling.
No. To use your prepaid service in a destination outside the list of selected countries, you’ll need to use My Credit and our prepaid roaming rates will apply. You’re also unable to use a Prepaid Roaming Add-on in Australia.
Once you’ve purchased an Add-on, you can use it immediately. The expiry period will begin from midnight AEST regardless of the country or time zone where you purchased it.
If you’re roaming in a country that are in a time zone ahead of Australia, such as New Zealand, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa or Fiji, your Add-on will expire at midnight local time.
If you’re roaming in a country that are in a time zone behind Australia, such as the UK, USA, China or Canada, your Add-on will expire at midnight AEST time.
You can roll over unused inclusions provided you buy an Add-on with the same expiry period. The unused inclusions will then take on the expiry of the new Add-on.
If you have a 3 day Prepaid Roaming Add-on, you can roll over unused minutes, text and data to a:
- 3 day Prepaid Roaming Add-on.
- 3 day Prepaid Roaming Data Add-on.
If you have a 7 day Prepaid Roaming Data Add-on, you can roll over unused data to a:
- 7 day Prepaid Roaming Add-on.
- 7 day Prepaid Roaming Data Add-on.
If you have a 3 day Prepaid Roaming Add-on, you can roll over unused minutes, text and data to a:
- 3 day Prepaid Roaming Add-on.
- 3 day Prepaid Roaming Data Add-on.
If you have a 3 day Prepaid Roaming Data Add-on, you can roll over unused data to a:
- 3 day Prepaid Roaming Add-on.
- 3 day Prepaid Roaming Data Add-on.
The inclusions in your Prepaid Roaming Add-on will be used before the inclusions on your recharge. Once your Add-on expires or runs out, prepaid roaming rates will apply.
If you’ve purchased two or more Add-ons and they have different expiry periods, inclusions will be deducted in this order:
- 3 day add-on
- 7 day add-on
If you purchase a Prepaid Roaming Add-on and a Prepaid Data Roaming Add-on with the same expiry period, data inclusions of both Add-ons will be combined.
Additional information about international roaming on a prepaid recharge.
The easiest way to recharge while you’re overseas is through My Vodafone or Express Recharge.
You can use your prepaid balance through My Vodafone.
You can also keep track of your usage:
- By calling 1512 or +61 426 320 000.
- By sending a text message to 1511 with the keyword ‘BAL’.
Yes. For more information on voicemail costs while roaming, check out our voicemail costs page.
No. Prepaid international roaming is only available for prepaid phone services.
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is a feature that allows you to make calls within Australia using our 4G network. If you're on international roaming in the USA, you may be able to use VoLTE through some of their networks.
Using VoLTE when you're on international roaming may give you a better call quality with a faster call connection. You can also browse the internet or use apps at the same time.
You’ll need a compatible device with VoLTE enabled and be on an eligible plan. Find out more on our VoLTE support page.