How Australian Phone Numbers Work
Australia uses a structured phone numbering system managed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Every phone number in Australia follows a specific format depending on whether it's a landline, mobile, or special service number.
Standard Australian phone numbers are 10 digits long, starting with a two-digit area code (for landlines) or a prefix (for mobiles and special services). When dialling domestically, you include the leading zero. When dialling from overseas, you replace the zero with the country code +61.
Understanding area codes helps you identify where a call originates from, which is particularly useful when deciding whether to answer an unknown number or when investigating suspicious callers through a reverse phone lookup.
Landline Area Codes
Australia has four geographic area codes for landline numbers. Each area code covers one or more states and territories:
02 – New South Wales & ACT
Area code 02 covers New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), including major cities like Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle, and Wollongong. This is Australia's most populated area code region, covering over 8 million people. Numbers starting with 02 are typically followed by an 8-digit local number (e.g., 02 9XXX XXXX for Sydney metropolitan).
Common sub-prefixes include 02 4X for the Central Coast and Hunter region, 02 6X for Canberra and surrounding areas, and 02 9X for Greater Sydney.
Browse all 02 numbers on Reverseau
03 – Victoria & Tasmania
Area code 03 serves Victoria (VIC) and Tasmania (TAS), including Melbourne, Hobart, Geelong, and Ballarat. Melbourne numbers typically start with 03 9XXX or 03 8XXX, while regional Victoria uses 03 5XXX. Tasmanian numbers commonly start with 03 6XXX.
Browse all 03 numbers on Reverseau
07 – Queensland
Area code 07 covers all of Queensland (QLD), from Brisbane and the Gold Coast to Cairns and Townsville. Brisbane metropolitan numbers typically start with 07 3XXX, while regional Queensland uses 07 4XXX (North Queensland) and 07 5XXX (Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast).
Browse all 07 numbers on Reverseau
08 – SA, WA & NT
Area code 08 serves South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA), and the Northern Territory (NT). This is Australia's geographically largest area code, spanning from Adelaide (08 8XXX) to Perth (08 9XXX) and Darwin (08 8XXX). Despite covering the most land area, it has the lowest population density of all Australian area codes.
Browse all 08 numbers on Reverseau
Mobile & Special Prefixes
04 – Mobile Numbers
All Australian mobile phone numbers start with 04, followed by 8 more digits (e.g., 04XX XXX XXX). Unlike landlines, mobile numbers are not tied to a geographic region. Australia has over 30 million active mobile numbers. Mobile numbers are the most commonly reported numbers on Reverseau, as they are frequently used in scam and spam calls.
Browse all 04 numbers on Reverseau
1300 – Local Rate Numbers
1300 numbers are shared-cost business numbers. Callers pay the cost of a local call (or it's included in their plan), while the business pays the remaining charges. These are commonly used by businesses, government agencies, and customer service centres. While most 1300 numbers are legitimate, scammers occasionally use them to appear more professional.
Browse all 1300 numbers on Reverseau
1800 – Toll Free Numbers
1800 numbers are free to call from any Australian phone (landline or mobile). They are used by businesses and organisations that want to make it easy for customers to contact them at no cost. Government helplines, large corporations, and non-profits commonly use 1800 numbers. Be cautious of unsolicited calls from 1800 numbers claiming you've won a prize.
Browse all 1800 numbers on Reverseau
1900 – Premium Rate Numbers
1900 numbers charge callers a premium rate, typically between $0.55 and $5.50 per minute or a flat fee per call. They are used for entertainment, information services, competitions, and adult content. ACMA regulates these numbers, and providers must disclose pricing. Be wary of any communication urging you to call a 1900 number, as this is a common scam tactic.
Browse all 1900 numbers on Reverseau
Area Code Directory
Below is a summary of all Australian area codes and prefixes tracked on Reverseau:
| Code | Region / Type | Numbers Tracked | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | NSW/ACT | 962,617 | View all |
| 03 | VIC/TAS | 758,404 | View all |
| 07 | QLD | 441,306 | View all |
| 08 | SA/WA/NT | 427,561 | View all |
| 04 | Mobile | 2,781,452 | View all |
| 1300 | Local Rate | 0 | View all |
| 1800 | Freephone | 0 | View all |
| 1900 | Premium Rate | 0 | View all |
How to Identify Unknown Callers by Area Code
When you receive a call from an unknown number, the area code is your first clue. Here's what to do:
- Check the area code – Does it match a region you know? If you're in Melbourne and receive a call from 02, it could be someone from Sydney, or it could be a spoofed number.
- Look up the number – Use Reverseau's reverse phone lookup to check if others have reported the number.
- Watch for spoofing – Scammers can fake any area code. A local-looking number doesn't guarantee it's local.
- Be cautious with 1900 numbers – Never call back a missed call from a 1900 number unless you know the service.
- Report suspicious numbers – Help the community by reporting suspicious calls on Reverseau and to Scamwatch.
International Dialling
To call an Australian number from overseas, dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 or +), then 61 (Australia's country code), then the number without the leading zero. For example, to call a Sydney number 02 9123 4567 from overseas, dial +61 2 9123 4567.
If you receive a call from a number starting with +61, it may be an Australian number — but be aware that scammers can spoof international formats too.
Explore Insights
See real community data about phone activity across Australian area codes and states:
- Phone Number Insights Hub – Overview of all report categories and state data
- NSW Phone Insights
- VIC Phone Insights
- QLD Phone Insights
- WA Phone Insights
- Scam Calls Analysis