Calling 1300 numbers
Calling 1300 numbers in Australia
1300 numbers are premium business phone numbers used by over 30,000 businesses in Australia. Calling a 1300 number is simple and works just like ringing a local area number or a mobile number, you just need to enter the 10 digits (1300 followed by 6 digits).
A prefix is a set of numbers you have to dial before the phone number (like 02 is NSW and 03 in Victoria) and there is no prefix for a 1300 number.
Do 1300 numbers cost?
Yes, there is a cost for a business to own a 1300 number, and some callers may be charged if they ring 1300 numbers (depending on the caller’s phone provider).
Are 1300 numbers free in Australia?
No, 1300 numbers are not free in Australia. Businesses that own a 1300 number will pay ongoing monthly charges, and callers that ring a 1300 number may also have to pay a small fee to make the phone call. The charges to ring a 1300 number depend solely on the caller’s phone provider.
Cost to call a 1300 number
If you call a 1300 number your phone provider will determine whether you pay a fee and how much that will be. Historically, calling a 1300 number costs the caller a small fee but most callers ringing from a mobile phone with an unlimited phone plan will not receive any call charges. Calling a 1300 number from an Australian landline will usually cost a small fee of around 25 cents, but some mobile plans from Telstra charge up to 40 cents per call.
Learn more from the ACMA here.
Is it free to call a 1300 number?
Are 1300 calls free?
Sometimes it is free to call a 1300 number. It depends entirely on the caller’s phone supplier, and 1300 calls are free for most callers ringing from a mobile that has an unlimited call plan.
Are 1300 numbers free from landlines?
Callers ringing a 1300 number from a landline will usually be charged a small fee per call (not per minute). Your phone supplier is responsible for setting the costs to call a 1300 number so you should check directly with them. Typically charges will not exceed 25 cents per call.
Are 1300 numbers free from mobiles?
Calling a 1300 number from a mobile is usually free if you have an unlimited mobile phone plan. Check with your mobile number supplier directly to confirm if you will be charged to ring 1300 numbers.
The only Australian phone number that is always free to call from a mobile is a freephone 1800 number.
1300 free call
1300 numbers are premium rate phone numbers for Australian businesses. It can be free to call a 1300 number and the caller’s phone supplier will determine if there is a charge. Most mobile users with an unlimited plan can usually call a 1300 number free of charge.
What is a toll free number? 1800 numbers have toll free calls which means it is always free to call a 1800 number.
1300 numbers with no call costs
Modern 1300 number plans usually include unlimited calls so a business will not have to pay call rates on top of their monthly fee.
The only way for a business to be sure its callers do not pay any call costs is to use a business 1800 freecall number. This is because a 1800 number is always free for any caller in Australia to ring whether they’re calling from a landline or a mobile.
Other 1300 call costs
Calling a 1300 number from overseas
It is possible to call a 1300 number from overseas, but connection is not guaranteed as it depends entirely on the telecommunications technology and network of the international country. Calls from the UK, Japan, Germany, South Africa, Brazil and the USA, for example, would almost certainly connect. But a caller ringing from Mali, Bhutan, El Salvador or Tajikistan is unlikely to be able to successfully dial an Australian business 1300 number.
Businesses that promote a 1300 number to their customers usually also have a local area number (starting with 02, 03, 07 or 08) that international callers can ring.
Costs to call a 1300 number from an international country
Australian mobile phones roaming in an international country will pay the phone supplier’s international roaming charges and maybe also a small flagfall fee (typically no more than 25 cents) which is determined by the mobile provider.
Callers ringing a 1300 number from overseas on a landline will be charged fees in accordance with the local phone supplier’s fees and charges structure.
If possible, avoid ringing a 1300 number from overseas; instead ring the business’ local area number.
Calling 1300 numbers with more than 10 digits
1300 numbers are sometimes advertised with more than 10 digits (for example, 1300 COMMUNIQA / 1300 266686472) which is called an overdial.
Phone technology is smart and will simply ignore any digit entered after the 10th digit (1300 266 686 in our example here) so you can dial just the first 10 digits of the advertised 1300 number, or you can dial the whole thing - you will still connect to the right business.
ACMA Smartnumbers and Telstra 1300 numbers
1300 phone number to words
Business 1300 numbers are sometimes advertised as a word (like 1300 NUMBER). Use the dial pad on your phone to convert the phone number to words. Remember it’s not like old-school texting, so to get an ‘R’ (the last character of 1300 NUMBER) you only need to press 7 once (as opposed to 3 times like in the early days of mobiles).
So if you see a business advertised their phone number as 1300 NUMBER, you will ring 1300 686237.
ACMA 1300 Smartnumbers
1300 numbers with a memorable sequence or that spell a word are called Smartnumbers. The ACMA regulates the sale of Smart numbers and determines a once-off purchase price for that 1300 Smart number depending on the desirability of the word or number sequence. Prices range from $250 to $20,000. Examples of Smartnumbers include 1300 NUMBER and 1300 987 654. Functionality of a Smartnumber is exactly the same as standard 1300 numbers.
Telstra 1300 number cost
Telstra charge among the highest rates in Australia to own a 1300 number. There are plenty of 1300 suppliers that offer a variety of plans and charges so choose the provider that’s right for you. 1300 numbers function exactly the same way whether you buy from Telstra or from another supplier.
Every 1300 plan must provide a Critical Information Summary so you can easily compare 1300 number offers across suppliers.
Charges apply when calling a 1300 number from a Telstra mobile and the cost is dependent on your plan. Contact Telstra directly to confirm 1300 call costs, which can be as high as 40 cents per call.
Australian 1300 numbers built for business
Does my business need a 1300 number?
An Australian business 1300 number is very beneficial because they provide a robust call management platform that can be instantly updated to suit your changing business needs.
Comprehensive call reporting means a business can see the profile of their callers and specifically target their efforts to caller behaviour. 1300 numbers are a helpful tool in setting marketing budgets and reviewing ROI of spend.
How much does a 1300 phone number cost?
Costs to own a 1300 number for your business vary depending on the provider you choose. There is lots of variety, and you don’t have to buy a Telstra 1300 number.
All 1300 number plan charges follow the same basic structure:
- Monthly management fee (sometimes called a hosting fee)
- Call rates (charged to you when someone rings your 1300 - or choose an unlimited 1300 number plan with Communiqa
- Monthly fees to switch on a feature (or feature set) of your choice
- Setup fee (a one-time fee to activate a number on the provider's network)
What is the cost of a 1300 number?
Prices to own a business 1300 number are entirely dependent on the service provider and the plan you have signed up to.
If you choose to buy a Smartnumber, ACMA will attach a once-off purchase price to that 1300 Smart number which you will have to pay when you start your plan which range from $250 to $20,000.
1300 call costs
If your business advertises a 1300 number you will probably pay to receive calls (unless you have an unlimited 1300 plan like Communiqa offers). The cost of receiving a 1300 call depends entirely on your 1300 number service provider and call rates you have signed up to with your plan.
Old-fashioned 1300 number plans charge call costs based on whether the business answers calls on a landline, mobile or SIP trunk, and also on whether the caller is ringing from a landline or mobile. Read more about this outdated charging system here.
Call rates to answer a 1300 call
Businesses that own a 1300 number typically have to pay rates to receive calls to the business phone number. 1300 call rates are set by your service provider and are usually negotiable depending on how much call traffic (or ‘minutes’) you receive every month.
Does my business need a 1300 number?
An Australian business 1300 number is very beneficial because they provide a robust call management platform that can be instantly updated to suit your changing business needs.
Comprehensive call reporting means a business can see the profile of their callers and specifically target their efforts to caller behaviour. 1300 numbers are a helpful tool in setting marketing budgets and reviewing ROI of spend.
Costs when porting a 1300 number
If you are changing your 1300 number supplier, there are strict regulations which control the porting process. The losing supplier (that you are moving away from) may charge you a port-away fee, and the gaining supplier (your new service provider) will likely charge you a setup fee (which should be no more than $25). All costs to port a 1300 number will be detailed in a provider’s Critical Information Summary.
13 numbers Australia
13 numbers in Australia are exactly the same as a 1300 number. The costs to call a 13 number are dependent on your phone supplier but if you can call a 1300 for free, you will also be able to call a 13 number without paying any charges.
Costs to own a 13 number include a mandatory annual Government levy of almost $8,000 which is why you typically only see large enterprise advertising a 13 number.
1300 vs 1800
1300 and 1800 numbers are premium rate Australian phone numbers available for business use. Read our all-new FAQ on the difference between 1300 vs 1800 numbers here.