1300 Numbers: What Australian Businesses Need to Know

What Is a 1300 Number?

A 1300 number is an Australian inbound-only phone number that charges the caller at local call rates regardless of where in Australia they are calling from. Unlike geographic numbers (starting with 02, 03, 07, or 08), a 1300 number does not suggest the business is in a particular state. For national businesses or businesses that want to project a national presence, a 1300 number removes any geographic implication from the contact number. Technically, 1300 numbers are classified as 'Local Rate Numbers' under Australian telecommunications regulation administered by the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority). The number itself does not have a physical location. It is a routing number that forwards calls to a nominated destination, which can be a landline, VoIP number, or mobile.

1300 vs 1800 Numbers: What Is the Difference?

For most Australian small businesses, 1300 numbers offer the best balance of caller experience and cost. 1800 numbers are more appropriate for businesses that want to maximise inbound call volume and can absorb the higher per-minute termination costs.

How 1300 Number Calls Are Charged

When someone calls your 1300 number, the call is forwarded to your nominated destination number (your VoIP extension, office landline, or mobile). You as the business pay the call forwarding charges. These charges vary by provider and destination type.The key cost components are: the monthly number rental fee, the per-minute or per-call forwarding charges to your nominated destination, and optionally call management features like time-based routing or IVR menus (which may incur additional fees). Calls forwarded to VoIP numbers are typically cheaper than those forwarded to mobile numbers.

How to Get a 1300 Number

1300 numbers are supplied by Australian telecommunications carriers and resellers. You can obtain one through: a hosted PBX provider (many include 1300 numbers in their plans or offer them as an add-on), a dedicated inbound number provider, or directly through a carrier. If you are setting up a hosted VoIP phone system, check whether 1300 number support is included before choosing a provider.The number assignment process involves: choosing a number from available stock (some providers let you select a memorable or 'smart' number for a higher fee), nominating the destination number where calls will be forwarded, and configuring any call routing rules (time-of-day routing, overflow to voicemail, etc.).

1300 Numbers and VoIP Phone Systems

Modern hosted PBX and VoIP systems integrate well with 1300 numbers. When a 1300 number is forwarded to a VoIP extension, it arrives like any other inbound call. Your auto attendant, ring groups, and call recording all work normally. The 1300 number is simply a public-facing number that routes into your VoIP system.This also means you can use the same 1300 number with multiple VoIP extensions across different locations or remote workers. Time-of-day routing can forward calls to your office extension during business hours and to voicemail or a mobile outside of hours. See our hosted PBX guide for more on how inbound number routing works.

Can You Port an Existing 1300 Number?

Yes. Australian 1300 numbers can be ported between providers in the same way as geographic numbers. If you have an existing 1300 number with a current provider and want to move it to a new hosted PBX provider, the new provider can initiate a port request. Porting timelines vary but typically take 5 to 15 business days. During porting, your existing 1300 number continues to forward calls until the port is complete.

How much does a 1300 number cost in Australia?

A 1300 number typically costs between $15 and $50 per month in Australia, plus per-call or per-minute forwarding charges. The monthly rental covers number provisioning and basic call management features. Forwarding charges depend on the destination: VoIP numbers are cheapest (often 2-5c/min), landlines are slightly more, and mobile numbers are highest (typically 12-20c/min). Exact pricing varies significantly between providers.

Can callers from mobile phones call a 1300 number?

Yes, 1300 numbers can be called from any Australian phone including mobiles. However, mobile callers pay their standard mobile call rate (not a local rate) when calling a 1300 number. This is a common source of confusion. Only calls from fixed landlines are charged at local call rates. For callers who want a number that is genuinely free from mobiles, an 1800 number is required.

Can I choose my own 1300 number?

You can choose from available 1300 numbers in a provider's number pool. Most providers let you search for numbers and select from those available. 'Smart' or 'gold' numbers (e.g. 1300 FLORIST or sequences like 1300 123 456) attract a premium setup fee as they are in higher demand. If your current 1300 number is with another provider, you can port it rather than choosing a new one.

What happens to a 1300 number if I switch my phone system?

Your 1300 number can be pointed to a new destination at any time through your provider's portal. If you change your phone system, you simply update the forwarding destination from your old system to your new VoIP extension or phone number. If you also switch 1300 number providers, you can initiate a port to transfer the number. You do not lose the number when changing phone systems.