On 5 April 2007, Spiranovic publicly announced his intention to play for Australia on SBS's football program The World Game. After Spiranovic stated his intention to play for Australia he was called up to the national side for a friendly against Uruguay which was held on 2 June 2007. Spiranovic did not play in the defeat against the South Americans and surprisingly missed out on a spot in Australia's 2007 Asian Cup Squad for which only five recognized defenders were selected. Spiranovic made his senior international debut for the Socceroos on 23 May 2008, coming on as a substitute against Ghana, followed by a start in the World Cup Qualifier against China on 22 June 2008. Despite the public's faith that Spiranovic would make the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad, as well as being transferred to Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds in order to gain more playing time, he ultimately missed out on selection. After a lengthy absence from the national team, Spiranovic played a full 90 minutes in a 0–0 draw against Switzerland on 5 September 2010. During this time which had followed Craig Moore's retirement from the national team, Spiranovic was labelled as Australia's central defender for the next decade as coach Holger Osieck noticed his potential before selection for the 2011 Asian Cup.