Saving An Aussie Number: A Quick Guide

how to save an australian mobile number

If you're looking to save an Australian mobile number, you might be considering retaining your own Australian number while travelling or moving overseas, or you might be looking to obtain an Australian number from outside the country. Either way, there are several options available to you.

Characteristics Values
Country code +61
Mobile prefix 04
Mobile number 8 digits
International format +61 4XX XXX XXX
National format 04XX XXX XXX
Customisation Available with Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, or amaysim
Virtual Australian number Available with Calilio, Nextiva, Dialpad, and RingCentral

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Using a dual SIM phone

If you have a dual SIM phone, you can save an Australian mobile number by storing multiple eSIM profiles on your device, each with its own plan and mobile number. You can download and store multiple eSIM profiles, each with its own unique mobile number and separate plan. While you can only send or receive mobile data from the primary service, you can make and receive calls and messages from both numbers.

Dual SIM phones can come in various configurations, including dual physical SIMs, a single physical SIM with an eSIM, or dual eSIM profiles. If your phone has two physical SIM card slots, you can insert two SIM cards at the same time. Some phones come with one physical SIM card slot and an embedded SIM (eSIM) that can be activated with a carrier's plan. The eSIM functions as a virtual SIM card, eliminating the need for an additional physical card. Certain devices, such as newer iPhones, support dual eSIM profiles, allowing you to have two virtual SIM cards on your phone.

You can customise the labels for each number, such as 'Home' and 'Work', and choose which number to use for calls, messages, and mobile data. The ''Primary' number and plan will be the default for outbound calls, texts, and data transfer, but you can switch between primary and secondary through your device settings. You can also assign individual contacts to be called or messaged by your primary or secondary number.

Dual SIM functionality is particularly useful for international travel. Instead of paying expensive roaming fees, you can purchase a local SIM card at your destination and use it in one of the SIM card slots.

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International access codes

When calling an Australian mobile number from overseas, you must first enter the international access code, which signals that you are making an international call. The international access code varies depending on the country from which you are calling. For instance, the international access code for the United States is "011."

After dialing the international access code, you need to enter Australia's country code, which is "61." This country code directs your call to Australia. It is important to note that when dialing an international number, you should omit the leading zero commonly found in Australian mobile numbers.

Following the country code, you need to dial the mobile phone code or mobile indicator. For Australian mobile numbers, the mobile indicator is either "4" or "5." This is followed by the Australian trunk code "0" when calling from within Australia.

Finally, you enter the Australian contact's complete mobile phone number. For example, if you want to reach an Australian contact with the mobile number (04)1234 5678, the complete international number you would dial is +61 4 1234 5678.

It is worth noting that some mobile carriers and devices automatically insert the "+" symbol when dialing international numbers, which serves as the exit code or international access code. Therefore, the number can also be represented as +61 4123 45678.

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Prepaid plans

No Contracts or Commitments

One of the most significant advantages of prepaid plans is the absence of contracts or long-term commitments. This means that you're not locked into a plan for an extended period, giving you the freedom to change or cancel your plan whenever you like without incurring early termination fees. This flexibility is especially beneficial if you're travelling or moving overseas and need to maintain an Australian mobile number temporarily.

Wide Range of Options

The Australian market offers a diverse selection of prepaid plans from various providers, including well-known names such as Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. These plans cater to different needs and budgets, allowing you to choose the one that suits you best. Some plans offer large data allowances, while others focus on providing affordable rates for international calls or text messages.

SIM Card Activation Process

When opting for a prepaid plan, you'll typically need to purchase a new SIM card or eSIM. The activation process for transferring your mobile number will depend on the provider you choose. For example, Vodafone requires you to fill out a Customer Authorisation Form and verify your identity with a one-time code sent via SMS. Telstra, on the other hand, may require additional personal information and verification through a phone call or text message.

Expiry and Credit Considerations

Choosing Your Own Number

While prepaid plans offer flexibility, customising your mobile number may come with additional costs. Some providers, like Optus and Vodafone, offer premium numbers for a fee. These numbers are categorised as silver or gold, with gold numbers being rarer and more expensive. However, purchasing a premium number may not be necessary for personal use, as there is no practical need for a premium number outside of business purposes.

In summary, prepaid plans in Australia provide a convenient and cost-effective way to save your Australian mobile number without long-term commitments. With a range of options available, you can choose a plan that suits your usage needs and budget. Remember to consider the activation process, expiry dates, and credit requirements to ensure your service remains active.

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Virtual Australian numbers

There are several companies that offer virtual Australian numbers, including AVOXI, Sonetel, and Ringover. These providers offer various features and pricing plans to suit different needs.

AVOXI provides local virtual numbers for most cities in Australia. They offer over 20 premium business features, including call forwarding, IVR, call analytics, voicemail-to-email, and more. The cost of an AVOXI virtual number depends on your expected call volume, with higher call volumes resulting in lower average call costs.

Sonetel offers virtual Australian numbers with optional add-on services such as voice response and call recording for a paid plan starting at $9.95 per user per month. Incoming calls can be forwarded anywhere worldwide at the cost of a local call. Sonetel also provides free Android, iOS, and web apps that allow users to make calls from their Australian number and import their regular mobile contacts.

Ringover's virtual Australian numbers come with powerful calling tools that help sales and support teams improve performance, automate tasks, and better interact with customers and prospects. Ringover offers unlimited calls and 50 calling features, including call recording, video conferencing, and screen sharing, for $21 per month.

When using a virtual Australian number, it's important to consider the formatting of the number, especially when dialling from outside Australia. The country code for Australia is 61, followed by the nine-digit national significant number. Mobile numbers are written as +61 4XX XXX XXX when dialled internationally, with the "X" digits varying based on the carrier.

By utilising virtual Australian numbers, individuals and businesses can establish a virtual presence in Australia, enabling them to connect with local customers and partners more effectively.

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Custom numbers

Customising your own mobile phone number in Australia may not be a cheap or easy process, but it is possible. The first four digits of Australian mobile numbers are allocated to specific carriers and hence cannot be customised. For example, 0400 and 0499 belong to Telstra, 0401 and 0411 are allotted to Optus, and 0404 and 0424 are Vodafone's numbers. However, for a supplementary fee, you can select easy-to-recall sequences for the remaining six digits.

Several major Australian providers allow you to purchase a premium or "gold" phone number. Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and amaysim all offer the service. With amaysim, you don't need to be on a big telco plan to get a premium number. Changing to a premium number on an amaysim plan will incur a one-off charge of $30, plus a 'change of number' fee of $20. Telstra no longer offers premium numbers for its mobile plans, but you can change your landline number for up to $400. Vodafone customers can upgrade to a hard-to-find but easy-to-recall number, with silver numbers available for $55 upfront and gold numbers for $275.

You can also purchase custom phone numbers from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). These "'smart numbers' are catchy 13, 1300, and 1800 numbers. You'll need to pay a one-time registration fee plus the cost of the number, which can range from as low as $250 to as much as $20,000, depending on how memorable the number is.

If you are an Australian living overseas or a foreigner choosing to build a business in Australia, you can also buy an Australian virtual phone number from a company like EasyRinger. You can select your own vanity number, which can be a branded number that matches your business while protecting your privacy.

Frequently asked questions

You can save an Australian mobile number by purchasing a local SIM card and activating it. You can then transfer your Australian number to this SIM card.

You can opt for a cheap prepaid plan while you're away. For example, Telstra, Optus, and Aldi offer cheap prepaid plans.

If you're visiting another country for a short period, you can recharge your prepaid plan for the duration of your trip.

You can port your Australian mobile number to a new SIM card. Several virtual SIM card options are available, such as amaysim, which offers coverage on the Optus network.

Australian mobile numbers are written as +61 4XX XXX XXX when written for an international audience. The +61 is the country code, the 4 is the mobile indicator, and the remaining eight digits are the mobile number.

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