How to charge the mobile phone when staying in Australia

How to connect an Australian power outlet to any mobile phone

Australian power outlet

If you are planning a holiday to Australia it's helpful to know if you'll be able to use all your common devices when you arrive. However without knowing which power socket is being used in Australia you may bring the wrong charger, meaning needing to borrow a potentially overpriced adaptor when you're there. Varying different combinations of standards and plugs can all be daunting when planning on travelling to another country especially if you've never visited before. This useful guide will show you what you'll need to charge your mobile phone when you are in Australia by using the standard 230 volt 50Hz Type I Australian plug supply. Most power sources will change depending on which region you're taking a trip to therefore we suggest that you read our Wikiconnections global power connections list for a full list showing regions and countries. If travelling to Australia from another region please make sure the mobile phone can accept a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) double check your device is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional transformer to stop the device from overheating when charging it.

This how-to guide is for a generic mobile phone and assume the phone has a standard micro USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and a headphone socket. For all the latest phones please visit the Mobile phones page for a full list of makes and models.

Charging any mobile phone in Australia

Can the mobile phone be used in Australia?

You can connect any mobile phone to an Australian power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best power charger for any mobile phone in Australia?

If travelling with more than your mobile phone then the best international travel power adapter for Australia to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by switching the included plugs. If your mobile phone is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these power chargers and support for more power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel adapters this will also allow you to recharge more than one device at the same time without needing to bring multiple travel adapters. Because you are only bringing a single travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage as well as being convenient for charging your mobile phone at an airport or on a plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets and using just a single wall outlet.

We suggest buying an adaptable power charger similar to this at an electronics retailer. The power charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for recharging multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Australia

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the mobile phone, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which can be necessary for visitors of counties with unreliable power supplies. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Australia and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power converter for travellers originating from America visiting Australia.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from North America using type B plugs. This offers almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more generous 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it suitable for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Australia. [5] [AD]
What is the best power charger for any mobile phone in Australia?

How to use a Type I power charger for charging your mobile phone from an Australian power outlet

Instructions on how to recharge your mobile phone from an Australian power outlet with type B USB cord and a Type I power charger.

  1. If you want to power your mobile phone from the Australian power outlet you'll need to use a Type I USB power plug adapter [3] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Start the process by taking the Type I USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 3 slots in an upside-down triangular shape with a single vertical pin at the bottom and the top pair of slots sloping upwards for the live, neutral and earth blades. Note that the live and neutral pins are configured reversed compared to Argentinian power outlets therefore please check that your Type I power adaptor is compatible with an Australian power supply.
  3. Connect one end of the type B USB cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (note you can usually connect the cable supplied with your mobile phone for charging with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port is normally located either on the bottom or along one side of the mobile phone.
  5. Turn on the Australian power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on your mobile phone should indicate that the phone is charging, refer to your phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will typically take. [AD]
How to use a Type I power charger for charging your mobile phone from an Australian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org page about Australia
  2. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  3. Type I USB power plug adapter - Type I USB chargers use three short flat blades in a V format with the top blade acting as a grounding pin.
  4. USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable - Used to connect USB devices which have a USB Mini-B port to computers, power supplies and other devices.
  5. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..