Former Australian dialling codes

Country Code: +61
International Call Prefix: 00
Trunk Prefix: 0

Contents

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, area codes covered a very small area, sometimes only one exchange, but gradually exchanges conglomerated to become area codes. Length of codes vary, from two digits in large centres like Sydney to over five digits in smaller areas.

The digit following the leading zero was chosen to represent a rough geographic area, with following numbers

* Until 1994, these territories were not part of the Australian numbering plan, and instead used the code 672, for the Australian External Territories of Norfolk Island and the Australian Antarctic Territory. Numbers in use before 1994 are now in the number ranges of 08 9162 for Christmas Island and 08 9164 for the Cocos Keeling Islands, but other ranges are now used on the islands (at least in theory).

By 1994, there were 6 area codes of two digits covering Sydney (02), Melbourne (03), Canberra (06), Brisbane (07), Adelaide (08) and Perth (09), 48 area codes of three digits, from (002) covering Hobart to (099) covering mid-west Western Australia, and one area code of four digits, Kangaroo Island (0848), 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 first first zero was omitted: Hobart was +61 02 xxx xxx - this was a potential cause of confusion with the Sydney area code, even with a differing number length. The 007 range was used for satellite phones and "0G" mobile phones.[1] 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[2], even though the prefix was +61 07x and had not been used for over a decade.

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.

In almost all cases, the former area code was incorporated into the new subscriber number: Canberra numbers went from (06) 2xx xxx to (02) 62xx xxxx, numbers in the Northern Territory went from (089) xxx xxx to (08) 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 (03) 6xxx xxxx range; and Queensland, which spread its area codes across a wide number range so that (07) 3... covers Brisbane, (07) 5... covers the surrounds including Esk and the Gold and Sunshine coasts, and (07) 4... covers the rest of the state.

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 (02) 9xxx xxxx would need to dial (02) 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 Number Current Number Date of Change Location of Area Code
(002) xxx xxx (03) 62xx xxxx 1996-08-19 Hobart & Southern Tasmania
(003) xxx xxx (03) 63xx xxxx 1996-08-19 Launceston & North East Tasmania
(004) xxx xxx (03) 64xx xxxx 1996-08-19 Burnie, Devonport, North West & West Coast of Tasmania
(01z) xxx xxx 041z xxx xxx Mobile phone codes (covering (014), (016), (018) and (019))

Some of these codes are still in use: (014) is used for satellite phones, (016) for pagers, and (018) for a limited number of analogue AMPS phones.
(02) xxx xxxx (02) 9xxx xxxx 1996-07-29 Sydney
(02) xxx xxx (02) 91xx xxxx 1996-07-29 Sydney
(03) xxx xxxx (03) 9xxx xxxx 1995-05-08 Melbourne
(042) xxx xxx (02) 42xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Wollongong
(043) xxx xxx (02) 43xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Central Coast, Gosford
(044) xxx xxx (02) 44xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Batemans Bay, Moruya, Narooma, Nowra, Ulladulla
(045) xxx xxx (02) 45xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Richmond, Windsor
(046) xxx xxx (02) 46xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Camden, Campbelltown, Picton
(047) xxx xxx (02) 47xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Katoomba, Penrith, Springwood
(048) xxx xxx (02) 48xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Bowral, Braidwood, Crookwell, Goulburn, Mittagong, Moss Vale
(049) xxx xxx (02) 49xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Cessnock, Maitland, Newcastle
(050) xxx xxx (03) 50xx xxxx 1996-11-11 Balranald, Hopetoun, Mildura, Ouyen, Swan Hill
(051) xxx xxx (03) 51xx xxxx 1996-11-11 Bairnsdale, Moe, Morwell, Sale, Traralgon
(052) xxx xxx (03) 52xx xxxx 1996-11-11 Colac, Geelong
(053) xxx xxx (03) 53xx xxxx 1996-11-11 Ararat, Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Horsham, Nhill, Stawell
(054) xxx xxx (03) 54xx xxxx 1996-11-11 Bendigo, Castlemaine, Charlton, Echuca, Kerang, Kyneton, Maryborough
(055) xxx xxx (03) 55xx xxxx 1996-11-11 Camperdown, Casterton, Edenhope, Hamilton, Portland, Warrnambool
(056) xxx xxx (03) 56xx xxxx 1996-11-11 Foster, Korumburra, Leongatha, Warragul, Wonthaggi
(057) xxx xxx (03) 57xx xxxx 1996-11-11 Alexandra, Benalla, Myrtleford, Seymour, Wangaratta
(058) xxx xxx (03) 58xx xxxx 1996-11-11 Cobram, Deniliquin, Numurkah, Shepparton
(059) xxx xxx (03) 59xx xxxx 1996-11-11 Cranbourne, Healesville, Mornington
(06) 2xx xxxx[note 1] (02) 62xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Canberra, Queanbeyan, Yass
(060) xxx xxx (02) 60xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Albury, Corowa, Corryong, Holbrook, Wodonga
(063) xxx xxx (02) 63xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Bathurst, Cowra, Lithgow, Mudgee, Orange, Rylstone, Young
(064) xxx xxx (02) 64xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Bega, Berridale, Bombala, Cooma, Eden, Jindabyne, Merimbula, Snowy Mountains
(065) xxx xxx (02) 65xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Forster, Gloucester, Kempsey, Lord Howe Island, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Port Macquarie, Scone, Singleton, Taree, Wauchope
(066) xxx xxx (02) 66xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Ballina, Casino, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Lismore, Murwillumbah
(067) xxx xxx (02) 67xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Armidale, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Inverell, Moree, Narrabri, Tamworth
(068) xxx xxx (02) 68xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Cobar, Condobolin, Dubbo, Forbes, Parkes, Wellington
(069) xxx xxx (02) 69xx xxxx 1997-08-18 Cootamundra, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Narrandera, Temora, Tumut, Wagga Wagga, West Wyalong
(07) xxx xxxx[note 2] (07) 3xxx xxxx 1995-07-17 Brisbane
(070) xxx xxx (07) 40xx xxxx 1997-11-10 Cairns
(071) xxx xxx (07) 41xx xxxx 1997-11-10 Bundaberg, Gayndah, Hervey Bay, Kingaroy, Maryborough, Murgon
(074) xxx xxx (07) 54xx xxxx 1996-10-07 Boonah, Caboolture, Esk, Gatton, Gympie, Sunshine Coast
(075) xxx xxx (07) 55xx xxxx 1995-06-05 Beaudesert, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Coolangatta
(076) xxx xxx (07) 46xx xxxx 1997-11-10 Toowoomba, Charleville, Dalby, Dirranbandi, Goondiwindi, Inglewood, Longreach, Miles, Roma, St George, Stanthorpe, Warwick
(077) xxx xxx (07) 47xx xxxx 1997-11-10 Townsville, Cloncurry, Hughenden, Mount Isa
(079) xxx xxx (07) 49xx xxxx 1997-11-10 Rockhampton, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay
(08) xxx xxxx[note 3] (08) 8xxx xxxx 1996-08-19 Adelaide
(08) xxx xxx (08) 84xx xxxx 1996-08-19 Adelaide
(080) xxx xxx (08) 80xx xxxx 1997-02-03 Broken Hill
(0848) xx xxx (08) 855x xxxx
(See below)		 1997-02-03 Kangaroo Island
(085) xxx xxx (08) 85xx xxxx 1997-02-03 Barossa Valley, Riverland
(086) xxx xxx (08) 86xx xxxx 1997-02-03 Ceduna, Eyre Peninsula, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Whyalla
(087) xxx xxx (08) 87xx xxxx 1997-02-03 Mount Gambier, Naracoorte
(088) xxx xxx (08) 88xx xxxx 1995-02-13 Clare, Kadina, Yorke Peninsula
(089) xxx xxx (08) 89xx xxxx 1996-05-06 Northern Territory
(09) xxx xxxx[note 4] (08) 9xxx xxxx 1997-05-05 Perth
(090) xxx xxx (08) 90xx xxxx 1997-05-05 Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Merredin
(091) xxx xxx (08) 91xx xxxx 1997-05-05 Broome, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Derby, Port Hedland
(096) xxx xxx (08) 96xx xxxx 1997-05-05 Moora, Northam, York
(097) xxx xxx (08) 97xx xxxx 1997-05-05 Bridgetown, Bunbury, Busselton
(098) xxx xxx (08) 98xx xxxx 1997-05-05 Albany, Katanning, Narrogin, Wagin
(099) xxx xxx (08) 99xx xxxx 1997-05-05 Carnarvon, Geraldton, Meekatharra, Mullewa
  1. ^ The Canberra area code was formerly (062) but, due to demand, incorporated the 2 into the subscriber number during the early 1990s. Despite this, the area code was still listed as (062) is some areas before the change to eight digits.
  2. ^ Brisbane local numbers were only available in the forms 2xx xxxx, 3xx xxxx or 8xx xxxx so that outside dialling could not clash with other area codes.
  3. ^ Adelaide local numbers were only available in the forms 2xx xxxx, 3xx xxxx, 3xx xxx, 4xx xxxx or 4xx xxx so that outside dialling could not clash with other area codes.
  4. ^ Perth local numbers were only available in the forms 2xx xxxx, 3xx xxxx, 4xx xxxx or 5xx xxxx so that outside dialling could not clash with other area codes.

Minor Changes

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, (0848). The Kangaroo Island area was incorporated into the (08) 855x xxxx number range with a significant change to subscriber numbers (for example (0848) 21 000 became (08) 8553 0000).

Old Number Town New Number
(0848) 21 xxx Kingscote (08) 8553 4xxx
(0848) 22 xxx Kingscote (08) 8553 2xxx
(0848) 23 xxx Kingscote (08) 8553 3xxx
(0848) 24 xxx Kingscote (08) 8553 0xxx
(0848) 28 xxx Macgillivray (08) 8553 8xxx
(0848) 29 xxx Cygnet River (08) 8553 9xxx
(0848) 31 xxx Penneshaw (08) 8553 1xxx
(0848) 33 xxx American River (08) 8553 7xxx
(0848) 35 xxx Wisanger (08) 8553 5xxx
(0848) 36 xxx Stokes Bay (08) 8559 2xxx
(0848) 37 xxx Karatta (08) 8559 7xxx
(0848) 93 xxx Gosse (08) 8559 3xxx
(0848) 94 xxx Harriet (08) 8559 4xxx
(0848) 96 xxx Parndana (08) 8559 6xxx
(0848) 97 xxx Parndana (08) 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, (043) 432 123 may be confused with (02) 4321 2345 (which would be used for (043) 212 345) during the change. To prevent this, before the change to eight digits, the local number was changed, so that, in the example, (043) 432 123 would become (043) 442 123, and then (02) 4344 2123. A list of all numbers changed in this way is shown in the table below.

Old Number New Number Date of Change Affected Towns
(002) 62x xxx (002) 60x xxx 1994-11-07 Richmond, Campania
(003) 63x xxx (003) 67x xxx 1995-01-09 Chudleigh, Caveside
(02) 99x xxxx (02) 999x xxxx 1994-07-25 Mona Vale (Sydney)
(02) 99x xxx (02) 9999 xxxx 1994-07-25
(02) 9xx xxxx (02) 99xx xxxx 1995-07-24
(043) 43x xxx (043) 44x xxx 1996-02-19 Woy Woy
(046) 46x xxx (046) 48x xxx 1996-02-19 Narellan
(048) 48x xxx (048) 44x xxx 1996-02-19 Roslyn, Bannister, Bungonia, Windellama, Quialigo
(049) 49x xxx (049) 44x xxx 1996-02-19 Dudley
(051) 51x xxx (051) 54x xxx 1995-03-13 Orbost
(052) 52x xxx (052) 58x xxx 1995-03-20 Queenscliff
(053) 53x xxx (053) 54x xxx 1995-02-20 Willaura, Moyston, Elmhurst, Crowlands
(054) 54x xxx (054) 57x xxx 1995-03-13 Myall, Murrabit, Mystic Park, Benjeroop, Appin South, Lake Meran
(056) 56x xxx (056) 58x xxx 1995-04-10 Korumburra
(057) 57x xxx (057) 54x xxx 1995-02-06 Mount Beauty, Coral Bank
(058) 58x xxx (058) 52x xxx 1995-03-06 Tongala
(063) 63x xxx (063) 60x xxx 1996-02-19 Orange
(065) 65x xxx (065) 67x xxx 1996-02-19 Smithtown, Hat Head
(066) 66x xxx (066) 61x xxx 1996-02-19 Tabulam South, Rappville, Myrtle Creek, Whiporie
(067) 67x xxx (067) 60x xxx 1996-02-19 Tamworth, Bithramere, Kootingal, Winton, Westdale, Hallsville, Nemingha
(068) 68x xxx (068) 64x xxx 1996-02-19 Yarrabandai
(069) 69x xxx (069) 60x xxx 1996-02-19 Griffith
(085) 85x xxx (085) 95x xxx 1995-02-27 Renmark, Berri, Paringa, Taldra, Cooltong, Murtho, Loxton
(086) 86x xxx (086) 76x xxx 1995-02-20 Cummins, Edillilie, Yeelanna, Karkoo, Brooker, Cockaleechie
(089) 89x xxx (089) 99x xxx 1996-04-24 Darwin, Northern Territory
(097) 972 xxx (097) 970 xxx 1996-02-19 Australind

See also

Telephone numbers in Australia

References

  1. ^ http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/08/australia-made-its-first-mobile-call-30-years-ago-today/
  2. ^ http://whrl.pl/RIAoT

External links

Sovereign states
Dependencies and
other territories