Do You Need a Travel Adapter for Australia?
Australia uses Type I sockets at 230 V, 50 Hz. From the US, the UK, Europe, Canada and Japan you need a Type I adapter. Single-voltage hair dryers from the US, Canada and Japan also need a voltage converter.
Australia's nominal supply is 230 V (AS 60038) although many areas still measure close to 240 V; either way it is in the same band as Europe. Sockets are Type I only. The same Type I plug is used in New Zealand, and fits sockets in China, Argentina and Papua New Guinea.
Check your own plug
Verdict by where you are travelling from
Shop links go to the Amazon store for each origin. Some links on this site are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
| From | Phone, laptop or USB charger | Hair dryer or straightener | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| The US | Adapter Type I | Converter + Type I adapter | Type I adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.com) |
| The UK | Adapter Type I | Adapter Type I | Type I adapter (amazon.co.uk) |
| Europe | Adapter Type I | Adapter Type I | Type I adapter (amazon.de) |
| Canada | Adapter Type I | Converter + Type I adapter | Type I adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.ca) |
| Japan | Adapter Type I | Converter + Type I adapter | Type I adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.co.jp) |
Phone, laptop, USB and camera chargers are dual voltage, so they only need the right plug. Single-voltage hair dryers, straighteners and kettles need a converter unless rated for 220–240 V; electric shavers and CPAP machines vary by model. Read the INPUT line on the label. Adapter or converter?
More about sockets in Australia
11 other countries and territories in Oceania have exactly the same socket types (of 18 in the region). The national plug standard is AS/NZS 3112.
Standard from Wikipedia, Mains electricity by country (CC BY-SA 4.0), retrieved 8 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What plug does Australia use?
Australia uses Type I sockets. Type I: two flat pins in a V shape and a flat earth pin.
What is the voltage in Australia?
Australia runs on 230 V at 50 Hz.
Can I charge my iPhone or laptop in Australia?
Yes. Phones, laptops and USB chargers are dual voltage (100–240 V), so 230 V is fine. From the US, the UK, Europe, Canada and Japan you need a Type I plug adapter.
Do I need a voltage converter for Australia?
Only for single-voltage appliances made for 100–127 V countries, such as many hair dryers, straighteners and kettles. Anything marked INPUT 100–240 V works with a plug adapter alone.
Route guides
Other countries in Oceania
Same plugs and voltage as Australia
Socket types: Type I · Voltage by country
Data verified 8 September 2026 against the IEC World Plugs dataset, WorldStandards and Wikipedia, plus an official national source for Australia. How this data was verified.