Looking to add a little character to your mobile number? If you're with an eligible mobile provider, you can request the number you want.
Switching to a 'premium' mobile number can get you 10 digits that are easier to remember. The downside is: it isn't free. Also known as a 'gold' number, you can buy one from Optus, Vodafone or amaysim.
Here are the cheapest prepaid and postpaid mobile plans with at least 10GB from these four providers:
|
#1
|
Vodafone
$49 Small Plan
$39/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
#2
|
Optus
$55 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
$65 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$65/mth
Min. cost $65
Link not supplied
|
|
#1
|
amaysim
UNLIMITED 10GB Plan
$22
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Optus
Optus Prepaid $35 SIM
$35
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
#3
|
Vodafone
$35 Prepaid Plus Recharge
$35
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Telstra
$39 Pre-Paid Mobile
$39
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
Can you choose your own phone number (and why you would want to)?
Yes, you can choose your own phone number in Australia with some providers. Most people want to choose something called a 'premium number.'
A premium number is a mobile number that includes memorable or auspicious combinations of numbers such as:
- 0400 123456
- 0422 222 222
- 0413 13 13 13
The rarest of these numbers are known as 'golden' or 'gold' numbers, with more commonplace variations called 'silver' or 'bronze'.
The first four digits of Australian numbers are allocated to carriers. For example, 0400 and 0499 are Telstra numbers, 0401 and 0411 are Optus, and 0404 and 0424 belong to Vodafone. As such, these usually can't be customised. However, if you're willing to pay extra, you can secure premium, easy-to-remember number sequences for the remaining six digits.
There are a few reasons to get a premium contact number, especially if you're a business:
- It can look more professional
- Memorable radio ads and jingles
- Ensures you're the first company called by potential customers
Business owners can also purchase custom phone numbers from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). These 'smart numbers' are those catchy 13, 1300 and 1800 numbers. To get one of these, you need to pay a one-time registration charge, plus the cost of the number. Depending on how memorable the number is, the price can be as low as $250 all the way up to $20,000.
It may be well worth the investment to lock down an unforgettable business number in exchange for a little (or a lot) extra.
Not a business owner?
If you're just looking for a customised phone number for personal use, it's similar to owning a personalised license plate. It can be fun, but not essential. There's no real practical need for a premium number for private use. But if you're a fan of numerology or have certain lucky numbers, you can request your preferred combination from a handful of providers.
How can I check if a phone number is available?
The best option is to check with your provider to see if the number you want is available. They will be able to let you know exactly what's on offer and if any match your dream number.
Of course, you could try calling the number you want to see if anyone picks up, but don't be that person. No one likes that person.
Optus gold numbers
The telco is a little secretive about pricing, but Optus
does allow customers to request and buy premium numbers.
Once referred to as 'Optus gold numbers', you can choose the next available number, a specific pattern, or something easy for you to remember. The exact charges depend on which type of change you're requesting. You can acquire one by contacting Optus support.
Optus doesn't list the exact number of configurations available to customers, but will charge a flat administration fee of $132 for any golden number change. Check out these plans from Optus:
|
#1
|
Optus
$55 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
|
|
#2
|
Optus
$65 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$65/mth
Min. cost $65
|
|
#3
|
Optus
$79 Optus Promo Plan
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
|
|
#4
|
Optus
$85 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$85/mth
Min. cost $85
|
Vodafone gold and silver numbers
Vodafone customers also have the option of upgrading to a hard-to-find, but easy-to-recall, number. The telco divides its premium numbers into silver and gold options: gold numbers are priced at $275 while silver numbers are available for $55 upfront. While silver numbers are available to all Vodafone customers, the Gold numbers are only available to those on postpaid plans.
Vodafone also charges a one-off $19.95 fee to change your mobile number. This is in addition to the above cost for the gold or silver number itself. If you'd like to request a gold or silver number, you can call 1555 from your Vodafone device or 1300 650 410 from any phone.
| Type of pattern | Gold ($275) | Silver ($55) |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat of same number | Five of same e.g. 04XX X99 999 Four of same e.g. 04XX XX9 999 |
Four of the same in the middle e.g. 04XX X99 99X |
| Numbers in sequence | Three double-digit numbers sequence e.g. 04XX 414 243 Single, double then triple sequence e.g. 04XX 455 666 |
N/A |
| Triplet numbers | Two identical triplets e.g. 04XX 340 340 Double triplets e.g. 04XX 555 777 |
Triplet at the beginning or the end of the number e.g. 04XX XXX 666 Last five digits are a triplet and a pair e.g. 04XX X22 555 Centre digits are a triplet and a pair e.g. 04XX 222 66X |
| Number pairs | Three identical pairs e.g. 04XX 13 13 13 Three non-identical pairs e.g. 04XX 11 44 77 |
Two pairs at start or end of number e.g. 04XX XX4 488 |
Check out these plans from Vodafone:
|
#1
|
Vodafone
$49 Small SIM Only Plan
$39/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
#2
|
Vodafone
$59 Medium SIM Only Plan
$49/mth
Min. cost $49
|
|
#3
|
Vodafone
$69 Large SIM Only Plan
$59/mth
Min. cost $59
|
amaysim premium numbers
You don't need to be on a big telco plan to score a premium number. amaysim, which offers coverage on the Optus network, also allows customers to change to premium phone numbers where available (and for a comparatively affordable price).
Changing to a premium number on an amaysim plan will incur a $30 one-off charge, plus a 'change of number' fee of $20. If you're interested in switching numbers on amaysim, you can request a premium number by contacting the company's customer service team via Live Chat or email. Check out these plans from amaysim:
|
amaysim
7-day UNLIMITED 10GB Plan
$10
Per 7 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
Telstra gold and silver numbers
Telstra no longer offers premium numbers for its mobile plans, so you're effectively stuck with what you're given.
The same isn't true for landline phone numbers, however. If you're a Telstra customer, you can expect to pay up to $400 upfront to change your digits. Telstra offers gold, silver, and bronze numbers, with prices depending on the exact combination of numbers you're after.
You may also need to pay a number change fee, in addition to your premium number costs, if you're not upgrading plans at the same time.
Telstra is no longer advertising bronze numbers on their site, but if the number you want is still available you might be able to get it by asking.
| Type of pattern | Gold ($400) | Silver ($200) | Bronze (not listed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repeat of same number | Six of same e.g. 999 999 |
Five of same e.g. X99 999 |
N/A |
| Numbers in sequence | Six in sequence e.g. 234 567 |
Five in sequence e.g. X23 456 |
Four in sequence e.g. XX4 567 |
| Triplet numbers | Two identical triplets e.g. 340 340 Double triplets e.g. 555 777 |
Identical pairs within triplets e.g. 004 005 One triplet identical, one in sequence e.g. 123 555 Mirrored triplets e.g. 340 043 |
One identical triplet e.g. 555 XXX |
| Number pairs | Three identical pairs e.g. 13 13 13 |
Three non-identical pairs e.g. 11 44 77 Three pairs in sequence e.g. 12 13 14 |
Two identical pairs e.g. 13 13 XX |
Check out these plans from Telstra:
|
#1
|
Telstra
$65 Basic Upfront SIM Plan
$65/mth
Min. cost $65
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
$75 Essential Upfront SIM Plan
$75/mth
Min. cost $75
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
$99 Premium Upfront SIM Plan
$99/mth
Min. cost $99
Link not supplied
|
Can I keep my custom phone number?
Once you have your premium number, it's yours to keep. It's illegal for a telco to keep your number, so once you've claimed a premium or golden mobile number, it's yours for life if you want it, as long as you don't disconnect it from an active service.
If you do disconnect your number, you lose the right to use it and it's placed in 'quarantine' for six to twelve months. Within this period, you can request to reclaim it from your telco or the telco that first issued it, but they're under no legal obligation to. Once quarantine is over, your number can be re-issued to someone else.
Changing providers and keeping your number is simple. When you're moving to a new telco, you'll just need to elect to 'port' or 'transfer' your number as part of the signup process. The provider will take care of the rest.
Here are some popular SIM-only plans with at least 20GB of data you can switch to after you've secured the number you want:
|
#1
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TPG
25GB Small Plan
$12.50
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#2
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felix mobile
felix 50GB Mobile Plan
$30
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#3
|
Dodo
$28 Mobile Plan
$28/mth
Min. cost $14
|
|
#4
|
iiNet
25GB Small Plan
$12.50
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#5
|
SpinTel
$22 Mobile Plan
$14/mth
Min. cost $14
|
|
#6
|
Catch Connect
28 Day Plan - 15GB
$20
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
Lebara Mobile
$24.90 Small Plan
$24.90
Per 30 Day Renewal
|
|
#8
|
Kogan Mobile
Medium Monthly Plan
$25
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#9
|
Everyday Mobile
Pre-paid Mobile $25 Recharge
$25
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
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SpinTel
$29 Mobile Plan
$29/mth
Min. cost $29
|
Can I change my phone number?
Yes, even if you're not looking for a premium number, the vast majority of telcos still allow you to change your
phone number. Depending on the reason for wanting a number change, like some cases of identity theft, data hacks and
harassment, you might not need to pay a fee.
When signing up with a new provider you don't
have to bring your old
number, you can start with a brand new number for free.
The big three providers – Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone – will all let you change your number for any reason, you'll just need to get in touch with their support team. On the other hand, smaller providers may only let you change your number in some instances. For example, felix mobile won't change your number unless it is due to unwanted or harassing contact.
Choosing your own phone number FAQs
How long does it take to activate a chosen mobile phone number in Australia?
Just as with porting your number, it can take a little while to activate your new premium mobile number. It could
take up to four hours and is usually only done within certain business hours.
Double-check with your
provider when you enquire if you have concerns.
Are there any restrictions on choosing my own mobile phone number in Australia?
Yes, there are restrictions on choosing your own number in Australia. In some cases, a number may be 'quarantined'. A number is quarantined for six to twelve months after a service is disconnected – this allows the opportunity for the owner to reconnect to the same number. While in this state, it's not available to anyone, though can possibly be reclaimed by the previous holder.
Once the six months is up, the number will be returned to whichever provider issued it, at which point it becomes available again.
Numbers that are suspended due to harassment can be held in quarantine for 12 months.
Where can I buy a premium phone number in Australia?
Premium or golden numbers are available to be purchased from certain telcos for a fee, including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and amaysim. ACMA also sells custom phone numbers to businesses.
Is it safe to buy a premium phone number on eBay?
There are several sellers on eBay that claim to offer premium Australian phone numbers. We wouldn't recommend purchasing one this way, as you don't know what is being offered.
In some cases, people who have secured 'lucky' or premium numbers are offering them at prices well over $1,000. Reading the product descriptions, the cheapest sellers charging between $5 and $10 are only offering to search for the number for you. They will then require you to spend an unadvertised amount (likely the amount the provider would charge or more) to purchase that number from them.
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