Calling 1300 Numbers
Calling 1300 numbers: the ultimate guide.
This FAQ will detail...
Whether it is free to call a 1300 number
Costs to call a 1300 number
1300 number call cost variations
ACMA Smartnumbers vs Telstra 1300 numbers
Business costs for a 1300 number
So, if you want to understand everything there is to know about the costs associated with owning and calling a 1300 number, read on.
Let's explore more...
Dialling 1300 numbers in Australia
More than 300,000 Australian businesses use 1300 numbers. Ringing a 1300 number is just like calling any other local area number or a mobile number, the only exception is you just need to enter 10 digits (1300, followed by 6 digits).
There is no prefix for a 1300 number (a telephone number prefix is a set of numbers you have to dial before the phone number, like 02 is NSW and 03 in Victoria).
Are 1300 numbers free?
Businesses must pay to own a 1300 number, and some customers may be charged if they ring 1300 numbers (depending on their telephone service provider).
Businesses that own a 1300 number will pay monthly hosting fees, and some customers that call a 1300 number may have to pay a small fee to place their call.
Cost to call a 1300 number
When you dial a 1300 number your telephone provider will determine whether or not the call is free. Calls made to a 1300 number from a landline incur a small fee (around 25 cents per call). However, with most people using a mobile phone these days this issue is negated as most mobile phone plans include unlimited calls to 1300 numbers.
Free calls to 1300 numbers
Some calls to a 1300 number are free. Most customers who call 1300 numbers on their mobile phone will not be charged a fee as their plan features unlimited 1300 number calls
Are 1300 numbers free from landlines?
Ringing a 1300 number from a landline will usually cost a small fee. Call rates to 1300 numbers are charged at a flat rate per call (and not per minute). Your telephone service provider sets the costs to call a 1300 number, so it’s always a good idea to check directly with them. Typically, 1300 number call costs will not exceed 25 cents per call.
Is it free to call a 1300 number?
Yes, calling a 1300 number can be free for some callers. As we’ve discussed, it all depends on the caller's phone plan.
Below, are some general guidelines about free calls to 1300 numbers. It’s always a good idea to contact your phone service supplier directly to check the costs before dialling a 1300 number.
Keep reading to learn about...
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Cost to call a 1300 number from a landline
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Cost to call a 1300 number from a mobile
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Calling a 1300 number for free
Is it free to call a 1300 numbers from a mobile phone?
Mostly, yes. 1300 number calls from a mobile are 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 100% free to call from a mobile is a 1800 number.
1300 numbers with zero call costs
Unlike the outdate plans offered by many 1300 number providers, modern 1300 number plans include unlimited calls. This means businesses will not have to pay to receive incoming calls as it is all included in their monthly fee.
The only way for a business to ensure callers never have to pay to call them is to use a business 1800 freecall number. 1800 numbers are always free to call in Australia (using either a landline or a mobile phone).
Compare our 1300 number plans
Other 1300 call costs
There are a few different scenarios when it comes to calling a 1300 number, such as ringing from overseas, or calling a 1300 phone word or 1300 Phoneword, and even calling a 1300 number with more than 10 digits.
In this section we’ll explain the different costs associated with different situations.
Read on to find out more about...
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Calling a 1300 number from overseas
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Cost to call a 1300 number from overseas
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Calling 1300 numbers with more than 10 digits
Calling a 1300 number from overseas
Calling an Australian 1300 business number from overseas is possible, but connection is not guaranteed as this depends upon the telephone network of the country from which you’re calling.
Calls from countries like the UK, Switzerland, and the USA, for example, are guaranteed to connect. But a caller ringing from Mali, Moldova or Tajikistan may not be able to successfully connect to an Australian business 1300 number.
Costs to call a 1300 number from overseas
Australian mobile phones users calling from overseas will pay their phone service provider’s international roaming charges. Some international callers will also pay a small flagfall fee (typically no more than 25 cents) which is also determined by their service provider.
Landline users calling a 1300 number from overseas will be charged fees in accordance with their phone supplier’s pricing structure.
That’s why it is always a good move, wherever possible, to avoid ringing a 1300 number from overseas. Try calling the business’ local area number instead.
Calling a 1300 number that has more than 10 digits
1300 numbers are sometimes advertised with more than 10 digits (for example, 1300 TELEPHONIC / 1300 8353746642). This is sometimes referred to as an ‘overdial’. This is because any numbers entered after the first 10 digits (such as the last 4 digits ‘6642’ in our own telephone number) are simply ignored and the call will be connected regardless of whether they are dialled or not.
Phonewords vs Telstra 1300 numbers
You've probably heard of the different terms the ACMA and Telstra use when describing 1300 numbers. But are there different types of 1300 numbers not just in name alone?
The good news is that all 1300 numbers function in exactly the same way. Different companies just use different terms when marketing them.
Read on to find out more about...
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ACMA Smartnumbers
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Telstra Phonewords
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1300 Flashnumbers
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Gold 1300 numbers
1300 Phonewords
Business 1300 numbers are sometimes advertised as a phonewords (such as 1300 DOCTOR). These numbers spell out a word when entered on your phone’s keypad.
ACMA 1300 Smartnumbers
1300 numbers with that spell a word or that feature a memorable sequence of digits are called Smartnumbers. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) oversees the sale of Smartnumbers. They also set the initial purchase price for that 1300 Smartnumber depending on its perceived desirability.
Smartnumber prices can range anywhere from $400 to $20,000. Examples of Smartnumbers include 1300 PIZZAS and 1300 222 333. The important point here is that the functionality of a Smartnumber is exactly the same as your typical 1300 number.
Telstra 1300 numbers: Cost
Amongst all of the 1300 number service providers in Australia, Telstra is one of the most expensive. When buying a 1300 number, it’s important to do your research. As there are plenty of 1300 suppliers that offer a variety of plans and charges, you need to choose the provider that’s right for your business.
1300 business numbers function exactly the same whether you purchase them from Telstra or from another (more attractive) service provider.
Every 1300 plan comes with a mandatory Critical Information Summary (CIS). This allows you a great way to easily compare 1300 number plans from different providers.
Looking for a Phoneword?
Australian 1300 numbers: good for business
We've already detailed costs of calling a 1300 number from Australia and overseas, but how much does it to own a 1300 number?
Many 1300 number providers use outdated methods when it comes to calculating 1300 number plan costs. Here's what you really need to know in order to make the best decision for your business.
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Does your business need a 1300 number?
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1300 number plan costs
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Call rates
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1300 porting fees
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1300 vs 1800 numbers
Does my business need a 1300 number?
1300 numbers offer your business several crucial benefits. Not only do they raise your company to a national profile, they also provide a robust call management platform that can be easily updated to suit your business’ changing needs.
Call reporting means businesses can analyse their customers’ call behaviour and then use this knowledge to target marketing efforts accordingly. Call reporting offers businesses a way of scrutinising the ROI of marketing campaigns.
How much does it cost to own a 1300 phone number?
This varies depending on the 1300 number provider you decide to go with. As discussed, there is a lot of variety out there. Do your research and choose the provider that is going to work best for your business. You don’t just have to buy your 1300 number from Telstra.
All 1300 number plans follow the same basic structure:
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Monthly management/hosting fee
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Call rates (the amount your pay when someone rings your 1300 number. Or, you could opt for an unlimited 1300 number plan with Telephonic)
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Fees to switch feature on or off
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Setup fee (initial cost to activate your 1300 number on the provider's network)
How much do 1300 numbers cost?
The costs of owning a business 1300 number depend upon on the service provider and the plan you sign up with.
If you buy a Phoneword, the Government will charge a one-off purchase price starting from $400.
Learn more about Telephonic
1300 call costs
Most businesses will have to pay to receive incoming 1300 calls (unless they have an unlimited 1300 plan like Telephonic offers). The cost of receiving incoming calls to a 1300 number depends upon the service provider’s call rates.
1300 number service providers with outdated plans charge your business to receive calls based on whether the call was placed from a landline, mobile or SIP trunk, and also on whether the incoming call is diverted to your landline or mobile phone. This is a very outdated way of charging for a 1300 number and you should avoid choosing this type of 1300 number plan.
Call rates to answer incoming 1300 calls
A businesses that owns a 1300 number typically has to pay to receive calls. 1300 call rates are set by the service provider. Please note: these call rates can be negotiable based on how much call traffic (gauged in ‘minutes’) the business receives monthly.
13 numbers
13 numbers work exactly the same as 1300 numbers. Costs to call a 13 number depend upon your telephone service provider. The general rule is that if you can call a 1300 for free, you will also be able to call a 13 number without having to pay.
Owning a 13 number incurs a mandatory annual levy of almost $8,000 imposed by the Government. This is why you only see very large companies using 13 numbers.
1300 vs 1800 numbers
1300 and 1800 numbers are premium rate Australian business phone numbers and function exactly the same way as each other. The only difference is that it is always free for a caller to dial a 1800 throughout Australia, regardless of the device they are using.
Porting costs for 1300 numbers
If you decide to change 1300 number suppliers, strict regulations come into effect which guide this process (known as porting). The supplier that you are leaving can charge a port-away fee, and the new service provider will likely charge a setup fee (which should be no more than $25). All of these porting costs are detailed in a provider’s Critical Information Summary.