8-digit geographic telephone numbers explained
Why the numbers changed
A dramatic growth in Australia's phone system, especially in rapidly growing areas like the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sydney led to the need to create additional numbers
With increased demand for additional phone services fax machines, pagers and mobile phones, as well as new phone companies, we are simply running out of numbers.
To remedy this, phone and fax numbers were given an extra one or two digits, so that all geographic numbers are now eight digit numbers with a two digit area code. Special services such as "000" emergency, "13" and "1800" numbers and mobiles were not subject to eight digit conversion.
This directory contains general information about Australia's new eight digit numbering implementation. For a particular telephone customer's numbers, refer to Telstra's White Pages™.
Four area codes
The previous 54 area codes that were previously in use across the country are now simplified down to just four.
The following are now the four area codes in use:
- (03) South East Region covering Victoria, Tasmania and some New South Wales border areas.
- (08) Central and West Region covering Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia and some New South Wales border areas.
- (02) Central East Region covering New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and some Victorian and Queensland border areas.
- (07) North East Region covering Queensland and some New South Wales border areas.
Listing by state/region
The earlier 54 area codes have been sorted into a State or Region format to enable easier access.
NB: Broken Hill (NSW) changes with South Australia. Wodonga and surrounds (VIC) changed with NSW.
Full location listing
Due to the large number of Australian towns, the location listing is split alphabetically - click on a letter that is at the beginning of the name of the location::