Honestly, trying to figure out the Australia phone number format shouldn't feel like you're cracking an Enigma code. But if you’ve ever stared at a screen wondering if that "0" stays or goes, you aren't alone. Most of us just want to make a call or set up a CRM without the "invalid number" error popping up for the tenth time.
The reality is that Australia’s numbering system, governed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), is actually pretty logical. It just has some quirks—especially when you cross the border into international dialing.
The basics of the 10-digit rule
Whether you're looking at a mobile or a Sydney landline, almost every "standard" number in Australia is 10 digits long. That’s the magic number.
If you see a number that doesn't hit that 10-digit mark, it’s probably a special business line (like those 13 numbers) or a short code. For everything else, from your plumber in Perth to a boutique in Melbourne, you’re looking at a 10-digit string starting with a 0.
Mobile numbers: The 04 prefix
Every single mobile phone in Australia starts with 04.
No exceptions.
Whether someone is on Telstra, Optus, or a tiny MVNO, it always starts with 04.
The format is usually written like this: 04XX XXX XXX.
Three chunks. It makes it easier to read.
Example: 0412 345 678.
If you're dialling this from within Australia, you just punch it in exactly like that. No drama.
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Landlines and those regional area codes
Landlines (or "fixed lines" if you want to be formal) are a bit more old-school. They use a 2-digit area code followed by an 8-digit subscriber number.
Basically, the country is chopped up into four main zones. Here is how they actually look:
- 02 – This is the big one. Covers New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). If you're calling Sydney or Canberra, you're hitting the 02.
- 03 – Down south. This handles Victoria (VIC) and Tasmania (TAS). Think Melbourne and Hobart.
- 07 – The sunshine state. This is all of Queensland (QLD), from Brisbane up to Cairns.
- 08 – The "everything else" code. It’s huge. It covers Western Australia (WA), South Australia (SA), and the Northern Territory (NT).
So, a Sydney landline looks like: (02) 1234 5678.
An Adelaide landline looks like: (08) 8765 4321.
The "International Headache" and +61
Here is where people usually mess up.
When you're outside Australia and want to call in, or if you're setting up a global app like WhatsApp, you need the +61 country code.
The Golden Rule: When the +61 goes on, the leading 0 must go away.
Think of the +61 as "taking the place" of that first zero.
If you keep both, the call will fail. Every time.
Let’s look at a mobile example:
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- Domestic: 0412 345 678
- International: +61 412 345 678
And a landline (Brisbane):
- Domestic: (07) 3333 4444
- International: +61 7 3333 4444
Notice how the (07) becomes just 7? It feels weird to type it that way at first, but it's the only way the routing works.
13, 1300, and 1800: The business heavyweights
You’ve probably seen these on TV ads or side-of-van decals. These are "inbound" numbers. They aren't tied to a specific city.
1800 Numbers
These are "Freecall" numbers. If you're calling from a landline, it’s free. Most mobile plans now include these for free too, but back in the day, they used to cost a bit extra on mobile.
Format: 1800 XXX XXX (10 digits).
1300 Numbers
These are "Local Rate" numbers. The cost is shared. The caller pays a small fee (like a local call), and the business pays the rest.
Format: 1300 XXX XXX (10 digits).
13 Numbers
The "fancy" version. These are only 6 digits long. Big companies love them because they're easy to remember—like 13 11 14 for Lifeline.
They are expensive for businesses to own, which is why you usually only see them with major corporations or government services.
Common mistakes people actually make
Kinda funny, but the most common mistake isn't even the format—it's the spaces.
While we write them with spaces to help our human brains, computers hate them. If you're putting your number into a web form, just strip the spaces.
Another one is the "0011" thing.
In Australia, to call out to the world, you dial 0011 first. Some people get confused and try to use 0011 when calling into Australia. Don't do that. Just use the plus sign (+) and 61.
Why the format is changing in 2026
The ACMA recently updated the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 2025. Why? Because we're running out of numbers. With every iPad, smart-watch, and IoT fridge needing a SIM card, the "04" range is getting crowded.
You might start seeing more 05 prefixes for mobile-like services or data-only lines. It’s not common yet, but it’s coming. They're also cracking down on "CLI spoofing" (scammers pretending to have an Aussie number), so the way numbers are verified behind the scenes is getting way stricter.
Real-world formatting for your CRM
If you're a business owner or a dev, you should always store numbers in the E.164 format.
That basically means: [+][country code][area code][subscriber number].
For Australia, that is +614XXXXXXXX for mobile.
No brackets. No dashes. No spaces.
This ensures your SMS marketing or VoIP system actually works across borders.
Actionable formatting checklist
If you need to get this right right now, just follow this:
- Check the length: Is it 10 digits? (Unless it's a 13 number).
- Identify the type: Does it start with 04? It's a mobile. 02, 03, 07, or 08? It's a landline.
- Going international? Replace the first 0 with +61.
- Storing data? Remove all spaces and brackets to prevent database errors.
- Double-check the state: Remember that 08 is huge—it's not just Perth; it's also Adelaide and Darwin.
By sticking to the +61 prefix and dropping that pesky leading zero, you'll avoid 99% of the connection issues people face with Australian numbers. It’s a simple shift, but it’s the difference between a successful connection and a "number not recognized" recording.