Power Plugs and Sockets in Australia - Do You Need an Adapter?

If you are travelling to Australia 🇦🇺 from Gabon 🇬🇦, then YES, you will need an adapter.

You are not from Gabon 🇬🇦? Click here to change country.

In Australia, the plug types used are I. The voltage is 230 V with a frequency of 50Hz. On the other hand, in Gabon, the plug types used are C. The voltage in Gabon is 220 V with a frequency of 50Hz.

Type I Socket Type I Plug

Type I

⚠️ Your devices from Gabon of type C will not be valid for any socket and you will need an adapter.

What are the plugs like in Australia?

In Australia, the predominant plug types are I. If you are coming from Gabon, then your devices are of type C.

For this reason, you will need an adapter, as the plugs in Australia are not compatible with the devices from Gabon and you will not be able to use your devices.

Special considerations

In Australia, since 2000, the supply voltage, specified in AS 60038, is 230V with a tolerance of +10% -6%. However, 240V, often referred to as “two-forty volts,” is still commonly used without tolerance. Hotel bathrooms frequently have a type I, C, and A outlet labeled “for shavers only”.

Do I need a voltage and frequency converter to travel to Australia?

It is important to know that in Australia the electrical voltage is 230 V, with a frequency of 50Hz. In Gabon, the electrical voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50Hz.

For this reason, you will not need a voltage converter to use your devices from Gabon in Australia.

Regardless of whether you need a voltage converter or not, you need a plug adapter, because the plug types are different in Australia.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

Below we will answer some of the most common questions asked by travelers going to Australia.

Can I charge my iPhone or Android mobile device in Australia?

If you are travelling from Gabon to Australia, you will need an adapter to charge your iPhone or Android mobile device. While it is true that nowadays these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, it should be remembered that both countries have incompatible plug types, so you will need an adapter in Australia to charge your iPhone or Android.

Can I plug in my laptop charger in Australia?

If you are travelling from Gabon to Australia, you will need an adapter to charge your laptop. Generally, these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, but it should be remembered that Gabon and Australia have incompatible plug types, so an adapter is necessary to charge your laptop in Australia.

Can I use my hair dryer or straightener in Australia?

Yes, with respect to voltage and frequency, you will be able to use devices such as your hair dryer or hair straightener in Australia without any problems.

However, since the plugs in Australia and Gabon are not compatible, you will need a plug adapter to be able to use the hair straightener and hair dryer.

What happens if I connect a 220 V device to a 230 V socket without an adapter?

Fortunately, most devices can operate with a small voltage difference. Therefore, you will not have any problem connecting a 220 V device to a 230 V socket in Australia without a voltage adapter. The worst that can happen is that the device will heat up slightly.

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