Check phone number activity, carrier details, line type and more.
Australia Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide
Quick Reference Guide
Country: Australia
Country Code: +61
International Prefix: 0011
National Prefix: 0
Overview
Australia's telephone numbering plan is meticulously regulated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). This comprehensive guide delves into the structure and usage of phone numbers across Australia, covering formats for landlines, mobiles, toll-free numbers, and more, alongside dialing procedures and regulatory updates.
Number Formats
General Number Structure
Australian phone numbers are categorized by service type, including landline, mobile, and toll-free. Here's a breakdown of the key components:
Country Code: +61
Area Codes: 1-2 digits, specific to regions or services
Subscriber Number: 8-10 digits, varies by service
Geographic (Landline) Numbers
Geographic numbers are region-specific within Australia. The format is:
Format: 0 + Area Code + Subscriber Number
Example: 02 9876 5432 (Sydney)
Region
Area Code
Example Number
Central East (NSW, ACT)
02
02 9876 5432
South-east (VIC, TAS)
03
03 9123 4567
North-east (QLD)
07
07 3456 7890
Central and West (SA, NT, WA)
08
08 8123 4567
Mobile Numbers
Mobile numbers in Australia begin with 04 and are 10 digits long.
Format: 04XX XXX XXX
Example: 0412 345 678
Mobile Prefix
Example Number
04
0412 345 678
Toll-Free Numbers
Toll-free numbers start with 1800 and are followed by 6 digits.
Format: 1800 XXX XXX
Example: 1800 123 456
Prefix
Example Number
1800
1800 123 456
Premium Rate Numbers
Premium rate numbers, starting with 190, are used for services with additional charges.
Format: 190X XXX XXX
Example: 1902 345 678
Prefix
Example Number
190
1902 345 678
Shared Cost Numbers
Shared cost numbers begin with 13 or 1300, sharing costs between caller and provider.
Format: 13XX XXXX or 1300 XXX XXX
Example: 1300 654 321
Prefix
Example Number
13
1300 654 321
Validating Phone Numbers
To ensure accurate phone number validation, use these regular expressions:
Geographic (Landline) Numbers:
^0[2378]\d{8}$
Mobile Numbers:
^04\d{8}$
Toll-Free Numbers:
^1800\d{6}$
Premium Rate Numbers:
^190\d{7}$
Shared Cost Numbers:
^(13\d{4}|1300\d{6})$
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
Landline to Landline: Dial 0 + Area Code + Subscriber Number.
Example: 02 9876 5432 (Sydney)
Landline to Mobile: Dial 04 + Mobile Number.
Example: 0412 345 678
Mobile to Mobile: Dial 04 + Mobile Number.
Example: 0412 345 678
International Calls
Outgoing from Australia: Dial 0011 + Country Code + National Number.
Example: To call the UK, dial 0011 44 20 7946 0958.
Incoming to Australia: Dial +61 + Local Number (omit the leading 0).
Example: From the US, dial 011 61 2 9876 5432 for a Sydney landline.
Regulatory Updates
The Australian Telecommunications Numbering Plan is continuously reviewed by ACMA. The current plan is valid until 2025, with potential updates expected to accommodate technological advancements.
Number Portability
Australia supports mobile number portability (MNP), allowing users to retain their mobile numbers when switching providers, promoting competition and consumer choice.
Major Telecom Operators
Operator
Number Ranges
Telstra
Various across all regions
Optus
Various across all regions
Vodafone
Various across all regions
ITU-T Standards
Australia adheres to the ITU-T E.164 standard, ensuring uniformity and interoperability across global telecommunications networks.