International roaming explained
Learn how to set up and use international roaming to keep connected while abroad.
Switch roaming on or off
You can manage international roaming using My Account or the AGL app:
- Go to the Overview tab.
- Scroll to ‘My Internet and Mobile’ and select View my services.
- Select the mobile service you want to update.
- Scroll to My International Roaming and select Manage Roaming.
- Use the toggle to disable (or enable) international roaming.
- Follow the prompts to confirm.
Please allow up to 15 minutes for changes to international roaming to take effect.
Check your mobile device settings
You’ll also need to activate data roaming in your mobile device’s settings before AGL international roaming will work.
Find this in your mobile device’s Settings app, under the Mobile or Connections categories.
If you don’t want to use roaming, switch off data roaming in your mobile device’s settings.
Using My Account or the AGL app overseas
If you use mobile data while overseas to switch off roaming in My Account or the AGL app, you may incur charges. We recommend you switch off data on your mobile device's settings and use Wi-Fi instead.
Roaming options in each zone
International roaming rates change depending on which destination you’re in.
- $5 daily travel pass in Zone 1 destinations
- Pay as you go rates (PAYG) apply for Zone 2 destinations
- Pay as you go rates (PAYG) apply for Zone 3 destinations
- When you’re overseas or on an aeroplane and use service or data, we’ll send you an alert explaining that roaming is active in Zone 1. You’ll also have the option to switch off roaming (data charges may apply).
- We send alerts when you’ve used 50%, 85% and 100% of your data included in the $5 daily travel pass.
- If you exceed your included data, we’ll automatically top you up with another $5 daily travel pass and send an alert to let you know.
- When you’re overseas and use service or data, we’ll send you an alert explaining that roaming is active in Zone 2. You’ll also have the option to switch off roaming (data charges may apply).
- We send alerts at every $100 of usage with the total amount you’ve spent on international roaming.
- When we detect service or data usage on a ship, we’ll send you an alert explaining that roaming is active in Zone 3. You’ll also have the option to switch off roaming (data charges may apply).
- We send alerts at every $100 of usage with the total amount you’ve spent on international roaming.
If you spend more than $500 on international roaming in one billing cycle, we'll automatically suspend it to avoid further charges. If you need to change this, contact us.
How we detect your roaming usage
Using data, making phone calls or sending and receiving SMS messages while overseas are all considered roaming usage.
Your roaming usage is shared to our network provider, Optus, by foreign carriers in your destination country. Once Optus receives these records, they share this with AGL so we can send you alerts.
Not receiving roaming alerts?
In extremely rare cases, roaming records may take up to 90 days to be delivered to Optus, and then our servers. In this instance, you won’t receive SMS alerts about your roaming usage.
If you’ve opted to receive roaming alerts by SMS, make sure your mobile service can receive all SMS messages. To check, go to your mobile Service page, select My Service Settings, and ensure Incoming SMS is turned on.
Avoid unwanted costs when overseas
If you don’t want to use international roaming while abroad, here are our recommendations:
- Before you travel, disable data or mobile roaming on your mobile device’s settings app.
- Before you travel, switch off international roaming in your plan’s mobile settings from My Account.
- While travelling, disable mobile data from your mobile device’s settings to avoid accidental charges.
- While travelling, connect to Wi-Fi where possible and use flight mode to avoid mobile costs.
