Understanding Australian Area Codes: Complete Guide to 02, 03, 07, 08
When an unknown number appears on your phone, the first clue to the caller’s identity is often the area code.
Australian phone numbers follow a logical geographic system that can tell you a lot about who’s calling before
you even answer.
This comprehensive guide explains every Australian area code, what regions they cover, and how to use this
knowledge alongside our Australian phone number
lookup tool for complete caller identification.
How Australian Phone Numbers Work
The Australian phone numbering system is managed by ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority). All
Australian phone numbers consist of 10 digits when dialled domestically:
- Geographic landlines: 0X XXXX XXXX (where X is the area code)
- Mobile phones: 04XX XXX XXX
- Business numbers: 1300 XXX XXX or 1800 XXX XXX
The first digit after zero indicates the type of number or geographic region.
Australian Geographic Area Codes Explained
02 – New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory
The 02 area code covers Australia’s most populous state and the national capital territory.
Major cities and regions:
- Sydney: Australia’s largest city and financial hub
- Newcastle: Major coastal city north of Sydney
- Wollongong: Industrial city south of Sydney
- Canberra: National capital (ACT)
- Central Coast: Gosford, Wyong region
- Blue Mountains: Katoomba, Springwood
- Southern Highlands: Bowral, Mittagong
- Regional NSW: Wagga Wagga, Albury, Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst
Common 02 number patterns:
- 02 9XXX XXXX – Sydney metropolitan area
- 02 8XXX XXXX – Sydney metropolitan area (newer allocations)
- 02 4XXX XXXX – Central Coast, Hunter, Illawarra regions
- 02 6XXX XXXX – ACT and surrounding regional areas
- 02 2XXX XXXX – Regional NSW
03 – Victoria & Tasmania
The 03 area code serves Victoria and the island state of Tasmania.
Major cities and regions:
- Melbourne: Australia’s second-largest city and cultural capital
- Geelong: Major regional city southwest of Melbourne
- Ballarat: Historic gold rush city
- Bendigo: Regional centre in central Victoria
- Hobart: Tasmania’s capital city
- Launceston: Tasmania’s second city
- Mornington Peninsula: Coastal region south of Melbourne
- Gippsland: Eastern Victoria region
Common 03 number patterns:
- 03 9XXX XXXX – Melbourne metropolitan area
- 03 8XXX XXXX – Melbourne metropolitan area (newer allocations)
- 03 5XXX XXXX – Regional Victoria
- 03 6XXX XXXX – Tasmania
07 – Queensland
The 07 area code covers the entire state of Queensland, from the tropical north to the Gold Coast.
Major cities and regions:
- Brisbane: Queensland’s capital and Australia’s third-largest city
- Gold Coast: Major tourist and residential hub
- Sunshine Coast: Popular coastal region north of Brisbane
- Cairns: Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef
- Townsville: Major city in North Queensland
- Toowoomba: Largest inland city in the region
- Mackay: Mining and agricultural centre
- Rockhampton: Beef capital of Australia
Common 07 number patterns:
- 07 3XXX XXXX – Brisbane metropolitan area
- 07 7XXX XXXX – Brisbane area (newer allocations)
- 07 5XXX XXXX – Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast
- 07 4XXX XXXX – Regional Queensland, Far North Queensland
08 – South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory
The largest geographic area code covers three states/territories spanning most of Australia’s landmass.
Major cities and regions:
- Adelaide: South Australia’s capital, known for wine regions
- Perth: Western Australia’s isolated capital
- Darwin: Northern Territory’s tropical capital
- Alice Springs: Central Australia’s hub
- Fremantle: Port city near Perth
- Bunbury: Regional WA city
- Broome: Pearling town in far north WA
- Barossa Valley: Famous wine region (SA)
Common 08 number patterns:
- 08 8XXX XXXX – South Australia (Adelaide and regions)
- 08 9XXX XXXX – Western Australia (Perth and regions)
- 08 7XXX XXXX – South Australia (newer allocations)
- 08 6XXX XXXX – Western Australia (newer allocations)
- 08 89XX XXXX – Northern Territory
Australian Mobile Numbers (04)
All Australian mobile phone numbers begin with 04, regardless of the owner’s location or the carrier they use.
Key points about 04 numbers:
- Not geographically tied—a Brisbane resident can have the same 04 prefix as someone in Perth
- Carrier can be identified through lookup tools (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, etc.)
- Virtual numbers and VoIP services also use 04 prefixes
- Numbers beginning with 0400, 0401, 0402, etc., don’t indicate different carriers
To identify who owns a mobile number, use our phone number lookup Australia tool, which
checks carrier databases and community reports.
Business and Special Numbers
1300 Numbers (Local Rate)
1300 numbers are national business numbers that charge callers local call rates from landlines. Businesses pay
for the incoming calls. These are commonly used by customer service centres, government agencies, and
medium-sized businesses.
1800 Numbers (Free Call)
1800 numbers are free for the caller from Australian landlines. The business bears the full cost. These are
typically used by large corporations, helplines, and organisations wanting to encourage calls.
13 Numbers (Local Rate, Short)
Six-digit 13 XX XX numbers are premium-priced local rate numbers, often used by major carriers (Telstra 13 22
00), government services (ATO 13 28 61), and large businesses.
19 Numbers (Premium Services)
Premium rate numbers starting with 19 charge higher rates and are used for competitions, adult services, and
entertainment lines. Be cautious of unsolicited calls asking you to dial these numbers.
Using Area Codes to Identify Callers
When you receive a call, the area code provides immediate context:
| If you see… | The caller is likely from… |
|---|---|
| 02 9XXX XXXX | Sydney, NSW |
| 03 9XXX XXXX | Melbourne, VIC |
| 07 3XXX XXXX | Brisbane, QLD |
| 08 8XXX XXXX | Adelaide, SA |
| 08 9XXX XXXX | Perth, WA |
| 03 6XXX XXXX | Tasmania |
| 08 89XX XXXX | Northern Territory |
| 04XX XXX XXX | Mobile (anywhere in Australia) |
Combined with our lookup tool, you can get the full picture: exact location, registered name, carrier, and
whether the number has been reported for spam.
International Calls to Australia
When receiving calls from overseas, the Australian country code is +61. International callers dial:
- Landlines: +61 X XXXX XXXX (drop the leading 0)
- Mobiles: +61 4XX XXX XXX (drop the leading 0)
If you see a number starting with +61, it’s an Australian number being displayed in international format.
VoIP and Virtual Numbers
With the rise of internet-based calling, some numbers don’t follow traditional patterns:
- VoIP providers can assign geographic numbers anywhere (a Perth VoIP user might have a Sydney 02 number)
- Virtual numbers used for business forwarding may show unexpected area codes
- Scammers exploit this by spoofing local area codes to appear trustworthy
This is why relying solely on area codes isn’t enough—always verify unknown callers with a proper Australian phone number lookup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tell which carrier someone uses from their number?
Not directly from the number alone. While carriers were originally assigned specific number blocks, mobile number
portability means numbers can move between carriers. Our lookup tool checks current carrier information.
Why do some Sydney numbers start with 02 9 and others with 02 8?
Both are valid Sydney numbers. 02 8XXX XXXX was allocated more recently as 02 9XXX XXXX numbers filled up.
There’s no difference in location or type.
What if I get a call from an area code I’ve never seen?
All legitimate Australian landline calls will start with 02, 03, 07, or 08. If you see other patterns, it may be
an international call, VoIP number, or spoofed number. Look it up before engaging.
Do area codes affect call costs?
For most mobile plans with included minutes, no. For landlines or payphones, calls to other area codes may be
charged as STD (long-distance) calls depending on your plan.
Identify Any Australian Phone Number
Understanding area codes is just the first step in identifying unknown callers. For complete information
including caller name, exact location, carrier details, and scam reports, use our comprehensive lookup service.
Got a call from an unfamiliar area code? Enter the full number in our phone number lookup Australia tool for
instant identification—completely free and anonymous.