Former Australian dialling codes


The format of telephone numbers in Australia has changed over time to allow for the expansion of the subscriber base as technology has improved.

Introduction of area codes (pre-1990s)

The introduction of subscriber trunk dialling was slow, partly because of the distances of exchanges in some areas and partly due to the use of manual exchanges well into the 1980s. Initially, dialing codes covered a very small area, sometimes only one exchange, but gradually exchanges conglomerated to become large area codes. The length of codes varied; as early as 1971, some localities had area codes as long as seven digits, while the state capitals had two-digit area codes. By 1989, the system had been standardised to three digit codes across the board, with two digit codes in the major cities. Only Kangaroo Island retained its four-digit code.
The digit following the leading zero was chosen to represent a rough geographic area, with the following numbers:
By 1994, there were six area codes of two digits covering Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, 48 area codes of three digits, from covering Hobart to covering mid-west Western Australia, and one area code of four digits, Kangaroo Island, which was not incorporated into a larger area code before 1994.
To dial these numbers from overseas, one omitted the leading zero. In the case of numbers in the 00 range, only the first zero was omitted: Hobart was +61 02 xx xxxx this was a potential cause of confusion with the Sydney area code. The 007 range was used for satellite phones and "0G" mobile phones. Even as late as 2005 there was confusion: the prefixes +61 78 and +61 79 were listed as a "mobile phone number" on some call rates, even though the prefix was +61 07x and had not been used for over a decade.
In late March 1990, Canberra's area code changed from to by integrating the 2 into the subscriber number, thus allowing 200 000 more numbers to be registered.

Renumbering (1994–1998)

In Australia, as in other countries, due to the increase in subscriber uptake of services such as extra telephone lines in homes, mobile phones and other services, the previous numbering plan was being stretched to its limit. It was decided to reduce the number of area codes and lengthen all subscriber numbers by one or two digits. This occurred between 1994 and 1998, and was done progressively to ensure as little inconvenience and confusion as possible. The gradual change was also to avoid number clashes, a situation where two subscribers in two completely different locations have technically the same telephone number if dialled in their entirety. The first numbers to be converted to eight digits were numbers in the 99x xxxx and 99 xxxx ranges in the suburb of Mona Vale in Sydney, which all became 999x xxxx or 9999 xxxx on 25 July 1994. The final codes changed to eight digits were the Queensland,,, and codes, which all changed to 4yxx xxxx on 10 November 1997.
In almost all cases, the former area code was incorporated into the new subscriber number: Canberra numbers went from 2xx xxxx to 62xx xxxx, numbers in the Northern Territory went from xx xxxx to 89xx xxxx, and so on. The four major exceptions were the two cities of Sydney and Melbourne, which added a 9 to the beginning of subscriber numbers; Tasmania, which became part of the 6xxx xxxx range; and Queensland, which spread its area codes across a wide number range so that 3... covers Brisbane, 5... covers the surrounds including Esk and the Gold and Sunshine coasts, and 4... covers the rest of the state. In Melbourne and Sydney, new non-geographic 90xx xxxx and 91xx xxxx ranges became available. Canberra also got a new 61xx xxxx range. Until November 1998, the only mobile numbers available were in the 040x and 041x ranges, to allow time for the existing 04x area codes to be converted to 4xxx xxxx numbers.
During the period of changeover, Australians were often told they were required to dial the entire telephone number they were calling, including the area code, even though the number may have been within the same area code. For example, a caller in Sydney with the number 9xxx xxxx would need to dial 49xx xxxx to call a number in Newcastle, despite the area code being the same. This was in order to avoid possible number clashes. Although this practice officially ceased on 1 March 1999, many still believe they are required to dial an area code outside their own telephone book area, but this is not the case.

Former area codes and systems of change

Note: the number ranges given below do not include all current numbers in a given area. See the Australian telephone numbering plan for more information.
Former numberCurrent numberDate of changeLocation of area code
xx xxxx 62xx xxxx1996-08-19Hobart & Southern Tasmania
xx xxxx 63xx xxxx1996-08-19Launceston & North East Tasmania
xx xxxx 64xx xxxx1996-08-19Burnie, Devonport, North West & West Coast of Tasmania
0055 xxxxx1900 9xx xxx
1902 2xx xxx		Premium numbers
007 1xx xxx0147 1xx xxxMarch 1999Satellite telephone numbers
008 xxx xxx1800 xxx xxxToll-free numbers
99x xxxx 999x xxxx1994-07-25Mona Vale
99 xxxx 9999 xxxx1994-07-25Mona Vale
9xx xxxx 99xx xxxx1995-07-24Sydney
xxx xxxx 9xxx xxxx1996-07-29Sydney
xx xxxx 91xx xxxx1996-07-29Sydney
xxx xxxx 9xxx xxxx1995-05-08Melbourne
xx xxxx 42xx xxxx1997-08-18Wollongong
xx xxxx 43xx xxxx1997-08-18Central Coast, Gosford
xx xxxx 44xx xxxx1997-08-18Batemans Bay, Moruya, Narooma, Nowra, Ulladulla
xx xxxx 45xx xxxx1997-08-18Richmond, Windsor
xx xxxx 46xx xxxx1997-08-18Camden, Campbelltown, Picton
xx xxxx 47xx xxxx1997-08-18Katoomba, Penrith, Springwood
xx xxxx 48xx xxxx1997-08-18Bowral, Braidwood, Crookwell, Goulburn, Mittagong, Moss Vale
xx xxxx 49xx xxxx1997-08-18Cessnock, Maitland, Newcastle
xx xxxx 50xx xxxx1996-11-11Balranald, Hopetoun, Mildura, Ouyen, Swan Hill
xx xxxx 51xx xxxx1996-11-11Bairnsdale, Moe, Morwell, Sale, Traralgon
xx xxxx 52xx xxxx1996-11-11Colac, Geelong
xx xxxx 53xx xxxx1996-11-11Ararat, Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Horsham, Nhill, Stawell
xx xxxx 54xx xxxx1996-11-11Bendigo, Castlemaine, Charlton, Echuca, Kerang, Kyneton, Maryborough
xx xxxx 55xx xxxx1996-11-11Camperdown, Casterton, Edenhope, Hamilton, Portland, Warrnambool
xx xxxx 56xx xxxx1996-11-11Foster, Korumburra, Leongatha, Warragul, Wonthaggi
xx xxxx 57xx xxxx1996-11-11Alexandra, Benalla, Myrtleford, Seymour, Wangaratta
xx xxxx 58xx xxxx1996-11-11Cobram, Deniliquin, Numurkah, Shepparton
xx xxxx 59xx xxxx1996-11-11Cranbourne, Healesville, Mornington
2xx xxxx 62xx xxxx1997-08-18Canberra, Queanbeyan, Yass
xx xxxx 60xx xxxx1997-08-18Albury, Corowa, Corryong, Holbrook, Wodonga
xx xxxx 63xx xxxx1997-08-18Bathurst, Cowra, Lithgow, Mudgee, Orange, Rylstone, Young
xx xxxx 64xx xxxx1997-08-18Bega, Berridale, Bombala, Cooma, Eden, Jindabyne, Merimbula, Snowy Mountains
xx xxxx 65xx xxxx1997-08-18Forster, Gloucester, Kempsey, Lord Howe Island, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Port Macquarie, Scone, Singleton, Taree, Wauchope
xx xxxx 66xx xxxx1997-08-18Ballina, Casino, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Lismore, Murwillumbah
xx xxxx 67xx xxxx1997-08-18Armidale, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Inverell, Moree, Narrabri, Tamworth
xx xxxx 68xx xxxx1997-08-18Cobar, Condobolin, Dubbo, Forbes, Parkes, Wellington
xx xxxx 69xx xxxx1997-08-18Cootamundra, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Narrandera, Temora, Tumut, Wagga Wagga, West Wyalong
xxx xxxx 3xxx xxxx1995-07-17Brisbane
xx xxxx 40xx xxxx1997-11-10Cairns
xx xxxx 41xx xxxx1997-11-10Bundaberg, Gayndah, Hervey Bay, Kingaroy, Maryborough, Murgon
xx xxxx 54xx xxxx1996-10-07Boonah, Caboolture, Esk, Gatton, Gympie, Sunshine Coast
xx xxxx 55xx xxxx1995-06-05Beaudesert, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Coolangatta
xx xxxx 46xx xxxx1997-11-10Toowoomba, Charleville, Dalby, Dirranbandi, Goondiwindi, Inglewood, Longreach, Miles, Roma, St George, Stanthorpe, Warwick
xx xxxx 47xx xxxx1997-11-10Townsville, Cloncurry, Hughenden, Mount Isa
xx xxxx 49xx xxxx1997-11-10Rockhampton, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay
xxx xxxx 8xxx xxxx1996-08-19Adelaide
xx xxxx 84xx xxxx1996-08-19Adelaide
xx xxxx 80xx xxxx1997-02-03Broken Hill
xxxxx 855x xxxx
1997-02-03Kangaroo Island
xx xxxx 85xx xxxx1997-02-03Barossa Valley, Riverland
xx xxxx 86xx xxxx1997-02-03Ceduna, Eyre Peninsula, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Whyalla
xx xxxx 87xx xxxx1997-02-03Mount Gambier, Naracoorte
xx xxxx 88xx xxxx1995-02-13Clare, Kadina, Yorke Peninsula
xx xxxx 89xx xxxx1996-05-06Northern Territory
xxx xxxx 9xxx xxxx1997-05-05Perth
xx xxxx 90xx xxxx1997-05-05Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Merredin
xx xxxx 91xx xxxx1997-05-05Broome, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Derby, Port Hedland
xx xxxx 96xx xxxx1997-05-05Moora, Northam, York
xx xxxx 97xx xxxx1997-05-05Bridgetown, Bunbury, Busselton
xx xxxx 98xx xxxx1997-05-05Albany, Katanning, Narrogin, Wagin
xx xxxx 99xx xxxx1997-05-05Carnarvon, Geraldton, Meekatharra, Mullewa

Minor changes

The South Eastern New South Wales corner had previously been split into two area code regions each with four digits, and. These were centred on Cooma & the Snowy Mountains region and Bega & the Far South Coast region, respectively. The regions only had 5 digit local numbers until they were up graded and the numbers were changed to 6 digits. This resulted in the numbers becoming 5xxxxx for Cooma/Snowy Mountains region and 9xxxxx for Bega/Far South Coast region. When phone numbers were changed to 8 digits these two regions became 64xxxxxx numbers.
Kangaroo Island was the only area in Australia that wasn't integrated into a larger area code before the change to eight-digit phone numbering, and had the only four-digit area code,. The Kangaroo Island area was incorporated into the 855x xxxx number range with a significant change to subscriber numbers 21000 became.
Old numberTownNew number
21xxxKingscote 8553 4xxx
22xxxKingscote 8553 2xxx
23xxxKingscote 8553 3xxx
24xxxKingscote 8553 0xxx
28xxxMacgillivray 8553 8xxx
29xxxCygnet River 8553 9xxx
31xxxPenneshaw 8553 1xxx
33xxxAmerican River 8553 7xxx
35xxxWisanger 8553 5xxx
36xxxStokes Bay 8559 2xxx
37xxxKaratta 8559 7xxx
93xxxGosse 8559 3xxx
94xxxHarriet 8559 4xxx
96xxxParndana 8559 6xxx
97xxxParndana 8559 5xxx

In order to prevent incorrect connections during the changeover period, a number which would otherwise have the first digits of its old form the same as the first digits of its new form had to be changed. For example, 43 2123 may be confused with 4321 2345 during the change. To prevent this, before the change to eight digits, the local number was changed, so that, in the example, 43 2123 would become 44 2123, and then 4344 2123. A list of all numbers changed in this way is shown in the table below.
Old numberNew numberDate of changeAffected towns
xx xxxx 2xx xxxx1990-03Canberra, Queanbeyan, Yass
+672 2 xxxx 62 xxxx1994-10-02Christmas Island
+672 4 xxxx 64 xxxx1994-10-02Cocos Islands
62 xxxx 60 xxxx1994-11-07Richmond, Campania
63 xxxx 67 xxxx1995-01-09Chudleigh, Caveside
9xx xxxx 99xx xxxx1995-07-24-
43 xxxx 44 xxxx1996-02-19Woy Woy
46 xxxx 48 xxxx1996-02-19Narellan
48 xxxx 44 xxxx1996-02-19Roslyn, Bannister, Bungonia, Windellama, Quialigo
49 xxxx 44 xxxx1996-02-19Dudley
51 xxxx 54 xxxx1995-03-13Orbost
52 xxxx 58 xxxx1995-03-20Queenscliff
53 xxxx 54 xxxx1995-02-20Willaura, Moyston, Elmhurst, Crowlands
54 xxxx 57 xxxx1995-03-13Myall, Murrabit, Mystic Park, Benjeroop, Appin South, Lake Meran
56 xxxx 58 xxxx1995-04-10Korumburra
57 xxxx 54 xxxx1995-02-06Mount Beauty, Coral Bank
58 xxxx 52 xxxx1995-03-06Tongala
63 xxxx 60 xxxx1996-02-19Orange
65 xxxx 67 xxxx1996-02-19Smithtown, Hat Head
66 xxxx 61 xxxx1996-02-19Tabulam South, Rappville, Myrtle Creek, Whiporie
67 xxxx 60 xxxx1996-02-19Tamworth, Bithramere, Kootingal, Winton, Westdale, Hallsville, Nemingha
68 xxxx 64 xxxx1996-02-19Yarrabandai
69 xxxx 60 xxxx1996-02-19Griffith
85 xxxx 95 xxxx1995-02-27Renmark, Berri, Paringa, Taldra, Cooltong, Murtho, Loxton
86 xxxx 76 xxxx1995-02-20Cummins, Edillilie, Yeelanna, Karkoo, Brooker, Cockaleechie
89 xxxx 99 xxxx1996-04-24Darwin, Northern Territory
97 2xxx 97 0xxx1996-02-19Australind