Phone Number Format in Australia: Must-Know Facts

When a hotel booking or airport transfer asks for your Australian phone number, the format depends on whether the form already includes the country code. Australian mobile and landline numbers have 10 digits in national format. For international format, add +61 and remove the first zero.

Australian phone number examples

Number type	Within Australia	International format
Mobile	0491 570 006	+61 491 570 006
NSW or ACT landline	02 5550 1234	+61 2 5550 1234
Victoria or Tasmania landline	03 5550 1234	+61 3 5550 1234

These are example numbers reserved for published works, not contact numbers. For your own number, replace only the leading zero: +61 replaces the 0 in 04, not both digits. Mobile numbers do not need a state area code.

Components of Australian Phone Numbers

The country code, leading zero and area code each have a different role. Here is how they fit together.

1. Country Code (+61)

The country code is the unique identifier assigned to each country, used when dialling internationally. For Australia, this code is +61. When you’re calling an Australian number from overseas, you’ll need to prefix the number with +61 and drop the leading zero from the area code.

2. Trunk Prefix (0)

Within Australia, the trunk prefix 0 is used for domestic long-distance calls. This zero is placed before the area code when dialling from one region of Australia to another. However, when calling from abroad, this zero is omitted.

3. Area Codes

Australia is divided into several geographic regions, each with its own area code:

• (02): New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory
• (03): Victoria and Tasmania
• (07): Queensland
• (08): South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory

These area codes are essential for routing your call to the correct region.

4. Local Number

The local number typically consists of eight digits. When combined with the area code, it directs your call to the specific recipient within that region.

5. Mobile Prefix (04)

Australian mobile numbers start with 04 in the current consumer numbering guidance from ACMA. They have 10 digits and no geographic area code. In international format, remove the first zero and add +61.

How to write an Australian number with +61

Start with the full Australian number, remove its first 0, then put +61 in front. For a mobile, 0491 570 006 becomes +61 491 570 006. For a Melbourne landline, 03 5550 1234 becomes +61 3 5550 1234. Keep every other digit, including the 4 in a mobile number and the geographic digit in a landline number.

Spaces make the number easier to read. A form that asks for digits without spaces may need +61491570006 instead. Follow its example format; do not add a second country code.

How Many Digits Are in an Australian Phone Number?

Australian landlines and mobile numbers have 10 digits in national format, including the first zero. After +61, there are nine digits because that zero is removed. Other services can differ: a number beginning with 13 can have six digits. Here’s the breakdown for landlines and mobiles:

• Landline Numbers: (Area Code) + Eight-Digit Local Number
• Mobile Numbers: Mobile Prefix (04) + Eight-Digit Mobile Number

For example:

• Landline: (02) 5550 1234
• Mobile: 0491 570 006

Dialling Procedures: Making a Successful Call

Understanding the correct dialling format is essential for your call to be connected successfully.

Calling Within Australia

• Local Call: From a landline within the same area code, dial the eight-digit local number. From a mobile, include the landline area code.
• Interstate Call: Dial the trunk prefix 0, the area code, and then the local number.
  • Example: To call a Melbourne number from Sydney, dial 03 5550 1234.

Calling Australia from Overseas

• Format: International Access Code + Country Code (+61) + Area Code (without the 0) + Local Number
  • Example: From the USA, dial 011 61 2 5550 1234 to reach a Sydney number.

Calling Mobile Numbers

• Within Australia: Dial the full ten-digit mobile number starting with 04.
  • Example: 0491 570 006
• From Overseas: Dial your country’s international access code, followed by 61 4 and the eight-digit mobile number.
  • Example: +61 491 570 006

Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them

Even with the guidelines, mistakes can happen. Here are some common issues and tips to avoid them:

• Forgetting to Drop the Leading Zero: When dialling from overseas, remember to omit the initial 0 in the area or mobile code.
• Incorrect Country Code: Ensure you’re using +61 for Australia.
• Misplacing the Area Code: Double-check the area code for the region you’re calling.
• Overlooking Time Zones: Australia spans multiple time zones. Be mindful of the local time to avoid calling at inconvenient hours.

Entering your number in an online form

For an overseas hotel booking, train ticket or airport pickup, select Australia if the country selector refers to the country of your phone number. Your destination does not change an Australian number into a local number.

If the form has one international-number field, enter your full number with +61. If it supplies +61 separately and asks for the remaining digits, enter 491570006 for the example mobile above. Some forms instead expect the national format, so follow the field label or sample rather than assuming every country selector removes the zero.

If the number is rejected, check for a duplicated 61, an extra zero after +61, or spaces and brackets the field does not accept. Use a number you can receive messages on if the booking requires a verification code. A correctly formatted number alone does not guarantee SMS access while travelling.

How to Use WhatsApp in Australia?

With WhatsApp being one of the most popular messaging platforms worldwide, it’s widely used in Australia for staying in touch with friends, family, and business contacts. If you’re new to WhatsApp or want to use it for communicating in Australia, here’s what you need to know:

Setting Up WhatsApp with an Australian Phone Number

To use WhatsApp in Australia, you can register with any valid Australian phone number. If you’re an international user travelling to Australia, you can still use WhatsApp with your existing number, as the app will work with Wi-Fi or mobile data and doesn’t require an Australian SIM card specifically.

1. Download WhatsApp: Install WhatsApp from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) if you haven’t already.
2. Register with Your Phone Number: Open WhatsApp and enter your phone number. To register with an Australian number, use the country code +61 followed by your phone number, without the initial 0 in the area or mobile code.
   • Example: Enter +61 491 570 006 instead of 0491 570 006.
3. Verification: WhatsApp will send a verification code to your phone via SMS. Enter this code in the app to complete the setup.
4. Set Up Your Profile: You can add a profile photo, name, and optional status message to personalise your account.

Adding Australian Contacts on WhatsApp

When adding an Australian contact to WhatsApp, save their number in the correct format to ensure it’s recognised by the app.

• Local Contacts: Simply save the contact’s number as it’s given (e.g., 0491 570 006).
• International Contacts: If you’re adding an Australian contact while abroad, save the number with the +61 country code and drop the leading zero (e.g., +61 491 570 006).