Plug adapter for Australia from the United States
What travellers from the United States need to charge and power their devices in Australia: plugs, voltage and frequency, with the rest of the trip basics below.
Plug adapter
Needed
Bring a Type I adapter.
Voltage
Higher: 230 V
The United States 120 V → Australia 230 V. Devices made for 110–120 V only need a step-down converter.
Frequency
Different
60 Hz → 50 Hz. Chargers don't mind; mains-timed clocks and some motors may run fast or slow.
Your plug, their socket
does not fit
does not fit
Your devices in Australia
Look for the “INPUT” line on the charger or label. A range such as 100–240V ~ 50/60Hz means the device adapts by itself and needs only a plug adapter.
| Device | Usually | In Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Phone, tablet and laptop chargers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Camera and power-bank chargers, e-readers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Electric shavers, toothbrushes | often 100–240 V; check | Check the label: single-voltage ones need a converter |
| Hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons | single voltage | Will burn out on 230 V: buy a dual-voltage model or use the hotel's |
| Kettles, irons, travel cookers | single voltage, high power | Leave at home: converters for these are heavy and costly |
| Plug-in clocks, timers, some fans | 60 Hz | May run fast or slow on 50 Hz |
A plug adapter does not change voltage. Plugging a 120 V-only appliance into 230 V through an adapter will destroy it within seconds and can start a fire.
The rest of the trip basics
- Time
- Australia is 16 h ahead of the United States right now (UTC+11 vs UTC−5, capitals).
- Money
- The Australian Dollar (AUD): 1 USD = 1.42 AUD (ECB reference rates, 2026-10-30). Everyday prices are about 94% of the United States'.
- Driving
- Switch sides: Australia drives on the left (the United States drives on the right). Look right first when crossing.
- Advisories
- US: Level 1 Exercise normal precautions. UK: no FCDO warnings. Details
- Next holidays
- 25 Dec Christmas Day · 26 Dec Boxing Day · 1 Jan New Year's Day All 7
- Calling code
- +61