A Guide to Australian Area Codes & Dialling
This guide covers all Australian STD codes, dialling prefixes, and phone number formats so you can make calls with confidence. Australia uses an 8-digit local number system, preceded by a 2-digit area code for landline calls between regions.
Key Dialling Information
- Australian Country Code: +61
- Calling Overseas from Australia: Dial 0011 first
- Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 000
- Important Note: When calling from outside Australia, you must drop the leading "0" from the area code or mobile number. For example, the Sydney number (02) 9876 5432 becomes +61 2 9876 5432.
Australian Area Codes
| Area Code | Region | State or Territory |
|---|---|---|
| 02 | Central East | New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory |
| 03 | South East | Victoria & Tasmania |
| 04 | Mobile Telephones | Australia-wide |
| 07 | North East | Queensland |
| 08 | Central & West | Western Australia, South Australia & Northern Territory |
Special Prefixes
In addition to standard area codes, Australia also uses service numbers with unique prefixes:
- 13 / 1300 numbers: Local rate business numbers (cost of a local call).
- 1800 numbers: Freecall numbers (no charge to the caller).
- 1900 numbers: Premium-rate services (charged at a higher rate).
Examples of Dialling
- Calling Sydney (NSW) from overseas: +61 2 xxxx xxxx
- Calling Melbourne (VIC) from overseas: +61 3 xxxx xxxx
- Calling a mobile from overseas: +61 4xx xxx xxx
- Calling interstate within Australia: Dial the full area code and number, e.g. 03 xxxx xxxx
Numbering System Background
The shift to the standardised 8-digit local numbers was introduced across Australia between 1994 and 1998, replacing older 6 and 7-digit formats. This change simplified the numbering plan, created space for future growth, and aligned mobile, landline, and special services under a consistent system.
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