
Premium-rate telephone numbers are telephone numbers that charge callers higher prices for select services, including information and entertainment. In Australia, premium numbers generally begin with the prefix 19, with premium-rate voice services using the prefix 190x. Mobile premium services deliver news, financial data, weather information, horoscopes, mobile ringtones, adult services, games, competitions, and chat services to mobile phones. They can be very expensive. Premium numbers can be purchased from providers such as Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and amaysim, with prices ranging from \$250 to \$20,000 depending on how memorable the number is.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prefix | 19 |
| Purpose | Deliver news, financial data, weather information, horoscopes, mobile ringtones, adult services, games, competitions, and chat services |
| Cost | Very expensive |
| Cancellation | Text STOP to any mobile premium service |
| Rules | Must follow the industry code that gives clear information about how much they cost, any terms and conditions, how to subscribe or unsubscribe, how to block calls, and how to resolve a dispute |
| Rules | Rules about advertising, particularly not targeting advertising to children younger than 15 years |
| Rules enforcer | Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) |
| Customisation | Available for personalisation with Telstra, Optus, Vodafone or amaysim |
| Customisation | Available for purchase from ACMA |
| Customisation | Numbers such as 13, 1300 and 1800 are known as 'smart numbers' |
| Customisation cost | One-time registration charge, plus the cost of the number, ranging from $250 to $20,000 |
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What You'll Learn
- Premium numbers in Australia generally begin with the prefix 19
- Premium numbers can be purchased for business or personal use
- Premium numbers can be expensive, ranging from $250 to $20,000
- Premium numbers can be purchased from Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, or amaysim
- Premium numbers can take up to four hours to activate

Premium numbers in Australia generally begin with the prefix 19
Premium numbers are telephone numbers that charge callers higher rates for select services, including information and entertainment. In Australia, premium numbers generally begin with the prefix 19. These numbers are used to deliver news, financial data, weather information, horoscopes, mobile ringtones, adult services, games, competitions, and chat services to mobile phones. They can be very expensive.
In Australia, premium-rate voice services use the prefix 190x, with 1900 being the initial and most common prefix. Since then, 1901 and 1902 have also been allocated. The 1901 prefix is specifically reserved for "restricted services", where a user must register with the service provider. These can include services of a sexual nature but are not limited to this definition of "restricted". The prefix 1906 is reserved for premium-rate paging services.
Other numbers beginning with 19 are used for premium-rate SMS services on mobile phones. Premium numbers can be purchased from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and are often used by businesses to enhance their professional image and make their contact details more memorable. These "smart numbers" are typically 13, 1300, or 1800 numbers and can cost anywhere from \$250 to \$20,000 depending on how memorable the number is.
Mobile providers such as Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and amaysim also offer premium or "gold" numbers for a unique touch. However, it is important to note that purchasing premium numbers from third-party sellers on websites like eBay is not recommended, as it may come with hidden costs and uncertainties.
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Premium numbers can be purchased for business or personal use
Premium numbers in Australia are telephone numbers that charge callers a higher price for select services, including information and entertainment. These numbers are usually easily distinguishable from non-premium numbers and typically start with the prefix 19. Premium numbers can be purchased for business or personal use.
For businesses, a premium number can enhance your professional image and make your contact details more memorable for potential customers. You can purchase custom phone numbers, known as "smart numbers", from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). These numbers are typically 13, 1300, or 1800, and can be purchased for a one-time registration fee plus the cost of the number. The price of these numbers can range from \$250 to \$20,000, depending on how memorable the number sequence is.
For personal use, a premium number is similar to having a personalised license plate. It can be fun to have a memorable number, especially if you're a numerology enthusiast or have certain lucky numbers. You can request your preferred number combination from a few providers, including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and amaysim. Amaysim, for example, charges a \$30 one-off fee plus a \$20 change of number fee.
It's important to note that purchasing a premium number may take some time, with activation taking up to four hours and usually only being done within certain business hours. Additionally, there may be restrictions on choosing your own number, as some numbers may be ""quarantined" for a period after a service is disconnected, allowing the previous owner the opportunity to reclaim that number.
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Premium numbers can be expensive, ranging from $250 to $20,000
Premium numbers in Australia are telephone numbers that charge callers a higher price for select services, including information and entertainment. These numbers are usually easily distinguishable from non-premium numbers. In Australia, premium numbers generally begin with the prefix 19, with premium-rate voice services using the prefix 190x. Mobile premium services deliver news, financial data, weather information, horoscopes, mobile ringtones, adult services, games, competitions, and chat services to mobile phones. They can be very expensive.
Business owners can also purchase custom premium phone numbers, known as "smart numbers", from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). These numbers are typically catchy 13, 1300, and 1800 numbers. To get one of these numbers, a one-time registration charge must be paid, in addition to the cost of the number itself. The price of these premium numbers can range from as low as $250 to as much as $20,000, depending on how memorable the number is. For instance, a number with repeated digits, pairs, or triplets is likely to be more expensive.
Several major Australian providers, including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and amaysim, allow customers to purchase premium or "gold" phone numbers. While having a premium number for personal use may not be essential, it can add a unique touch to your contact details and enhance your professional image. Some people may also be interested in premium numbers for numerological reasons or because they consider certain numbers lucky.
It is important to note that there are restrictions on choosing your own premium number in Australia. In some cases, a number may be "'quarantined' for a period of six to twelve months after a service is disconnected, allowing the previous owner the opportunity to reconnect to the same number. Additionally, numbers that are suspended due to harassment may be held in quarantine for 12 months.
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Premium numbers can be purchased from Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, or amaysim
In Australia, premium numbers are telephone numbers that charge callers a higher price for select services, such as information and entertainment. Premium numbers can be purchased from Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, or amaysim.
Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone are the three biggest telco providers in Australia, and they all offer premium numbers. While Optus may be the cheapest of the three, Telstra tends to allow for the most customisation, and Vodafone sits somewhere in the middle. Amaysim is the only MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that offers premium numbers.
Telstra provides two tiers of premium, customisable numbers: Silver and Gold. Gold numbers can cost up to $400 and usually consist of up to six repeat digits or six digits in sequence. An ongoing monthly fee to keep the number may also apply.
Optus also offers premium numbers, which can cost upwards of $130 and can feature up to six repeated digits plus other configurations. However, the fees and options may vary, so it is recommended to contact Optus' customer support for more information.
Vodafone's Gold numbers cost up to $275 and can be heavily customised, including up to five digits in a row, and many pair/triplet configurations.
Amaysim, which operates on the Optus network, allows customers to change to premium phone numbers for a comparatively affordable price. Changing to a premium number on an amaysim plan incurs a $30 one-off charge, plus a $20 'change of number' fee.
It is important to note that purchasing a premium number is not essential for private use. However, for businesses, a premium number can be beneficial as it provides a catchy and memorable number for customers to contact.
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Premium numbers can take up to four hours to activate
In Australia, premium numbers are mobile numbers that include memorable or auspicious combinations of numbers. They are also known as "gold" numbers, and the rarer ones are called "golden" numbers, with more common 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.
You can buy a premium number from Optus, Vodafone, or amaysim. Telstra used to offer premium numbers but no longer does so for its mobile plans. Amaysim offers premium numbers at a comparatively affordable price, with a $30 one-off charge plus a $20 'change of number' fee.
There are several reasons to get a premium number, especially if you're a business owner. It can enhance your professional image, make your contact details more memorable, and make it easier for potential customers to remember your contact details. 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're getting a premium number, it's important to note that it can take a while to activate your new premium mobile number. It could take up to four hours and is usually only done within certain business hours. So if you have any concerns, be sure to double-check with your provider when you enquire.
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Frequently asked questions
Premium numbers are telephone numbers that charge callers a higher price for select services, including information and entertainment. In Australia, these numbers generally begin with the prefix 19.
Premium numbers offer a range of services, including news, financial data, weather information, horoscopes, mobile ringtones, adult services, games, competitions, and chat services.
Premium numbers are often used by businesses to enhance their professional image and make their contact details more memorable for customers. Some businesses also use premium numbers for customer service lines.
The cost of premium numbers varies depending on their memorability, with prices ranging from $250 to $20,000 in Australia. The services offered by premium numbers typically charge per minute or per event.
You can purchase premium numbers from select providers such as Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and amaysim. The process typically involves paying a one-time registration fee and customising the remaining digits for a supplementary fee.











































