Former Australian dialling codes
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[edit] Renumbering (1994-1998)
In Australia, as in other countries, due to the increase in subscriber uptake of services such as extra telephone lines in homes, mobile phones and other services, the previous numbering plan was being stretched to its limit. It was decided to reduce the number of area codes and lengthen all subscriber numbers by one or two digits. This occurred between 1994 and 1998, and was done progressively to ensure as little inconvenience and confusion as possible. The gradual change was also to avoid number clashes, a situation where two subscribers in two completely different locations have technically the same telephone number if dialled in their entirety.
During the period of changeover, Australians were often told they were required to dial the entire telephone number they were calling, including the area code, even though the number may have been within the same area code. For example, a caller in Sydney with the number (02) 9xxx xxxx would need to dial (02) 49xx xxxx to call a number in Newcastle, despite the area code being the same. This was in order to avoid possible number clashes. Although this practice officially ceased on March 1, 1999, many still believe they are required to dial an area code outside their own telephone book area, but this is not the case.
[edit] Previous numbering plan
Prior to reorganisation, the Australian numbering plan was as follows:
* 00z xxx xxx Tasmania (z=2, 3, 4) * 0055 xx xxx Premium rate * 008 xxx xxx Freecall * 01z xxx xxx Mobile phone services. (z=4, 6, 8, 9) * 02 xxx xxxx Sydney * 03 xxx xxxx Melbourne * 04x xxx xxx New South Wales regional areas - ~ within 250 km of Sydney * 05x xxx xxx Victoria regional areas * 06 2xx xxxx Australian Capital Territory * 06x xxx xxx New South Wales regional areas ~ outside the 04x codes and the ACT * 07 zxx xxxx Brisbane (z=2,3,8) * 07x xxx xxx Queensland regional areas * 08 zxx xxxx Adelaide (z=2,3,4) * 08x xxx xxx South Australia regional areas * 089 xxx xxx Northern Territory * 09 zxx xxxx Perth (z=2,3,4) * 09x xxx xxx Western Australia regional areas * 091 62x xxx Christmas Island* * 091 64x xxx Cocos Keeling Islands*
'*'Until 1994, these territories were not part of the Australian numbering plan, and instead used the code 672, for the Australian External Territories of Norfolk Island and the Australian Antarctic Territory. They have changed to 08 9162 and 08 9164 respectively, but other ranges are now used on the islands (at least in theory).
[edit] Former Area Codes and Systems of Change
The following table is listed in numerical order by area code. Note that this does not list all current numbers for a certain area. See the Australian telephone numbering plan for more information.
| Former Number | Current Number | Date of Change | Location of Area Code |
| (002) xxx xxx | (03) 62xx xxxx | 19/08/96 | Hobart & Southern Tasmania |
| (003) xxx xxx | (03) 63xx xxxx | 19/08/96 | Launceston & North East Tasmania |
| (004) xxx xxx | (03) 64xx xxxx | 19/08/96 | Burnie, Devonport, North West & West Coast of Tasmania |
| (02) xxx xxxx | (02) 9xxx xxxx | 29/07/96 | Sydney |
| (02) xxx xxx | (02) 91xx xxxx | 29/07/96 | |
| (03) xxx xxxx | (03) 9xxx xxxx | 08/05/95 | Melbourne |
| (042) xxx xxx | (02) 42xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Wollongong |
| (043) xxx xxx | (02) 43xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Central Coast, Gosford |
| (044) xxx xxx | (02) 44xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Bateman's Bay, Moruya, Narooma, Nowra, Ulladulla |
| (045) xxx xxx | (02) 45xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Richmond, Windsor |
| (046) xxx xxx | (02) 46xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Camden, Campbelltown, Picton |
| (047) xxx xxx | (02) 47xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Katoomba, Penrith, Springwood |
| (048) xxx xxx | (02) 48xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Bowral, Braidwood, Crookwell, Goulburn, Mittagong, Moss Vale |
| (049) xxx xxx | (02) 49xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Cessnock, Maitland, Newcastle |
| (050) xxx xxx | (03) 50xx xxxx | 11/11/96 | Balranald, Hopetoun, Mildura, Ouyen, Swan Hill |
| (051) xxx xxx | (03) 51xx xxxx | 11/11/96 | Bairnsdale, Moe, Morwell, Sale, Traralgon |
| (052) xxx xxx | (03) 52xx xxxx | 11/11/96 | Colac, Geelong |
| (053) xxx xxx | (03) 53xx xxxx | 11/11/96 | Ararat, Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Horsham, Nhill, Stawell |
| (054) xxx xxx | (03) 54xx xxxx | 11/11/96 | Bendigo, Castlemaine, Charlton, Echuca, Kerang, Kyneton, Maryborough |
| (055) xxx xxx | (03) 55xx xxxx | 11/11/96 | Camperdown, Casterton, Edenhope, Hamilton, Portland, Warrnambool |
| (056) xxx xxx | (03) 56xx xxxx | 11/11/96 | Foster, Korumburra, Leongatha, Warragul, Wonthaggi |
| (057) xxx xxx | (03) 57xx xxxx | 11/11/96 | Alexandra, Benalla, Myrtleford, Seymour, Wangaratta |
| (058) xxx xxx | (03) 58xx xxxx | 11/11/96 | Cobram, Deniliquin, Numurkah, Shepparton |
| (059) xxx xxx | (03) 59xx xxxx | 11/11/96 | Cranbourne, Healesville, Mornington |
| (06) xxx xxx | (02) 62xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Canberra, Queanbeyan, Yass |
| (060) xxx xxx | (02) 60xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Albury, Corowa, Corryong, Holbrook, Wodonga |
| (063) xxx xxx | (02) 63xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Bathurst, Cowra, Lithgow, Mudgee, Orange, Rylstone, Young |
| (064) xxx xxx | (02) 64xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Bega, Berridale, Bombala, Cooma, Eden, Jindabyne, Merimbula, Snowy Mountains |
| (065) xxx xxx | (02) 65xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Forster, Gloucester, Kempsey, Lord Howe Island, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Port Macquarie, Scone, Singleton, Taree, Wauchope |
| (066) xxx xxx | (02) 66xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Ballina, Casino, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Lismore, Murwillumbah |
| (067) xxx xxx | (02) 67xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Armidale, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Inverell, Moree, Narrabri, Tamworth |
| (068) xxx xxx | (02) 68xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Cobar, Condobolin, Dubbo, Forbes, Parkes, Wellington |
| (069) xxx xxx | (02) 69xx xxxx | 18/08/97 | Cootamundra, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Narrandera, Temora, Tumut, Wagga Wagga, West Wyalong |
| (07) xxx xxxx | (07) 3xxx xxxx | 17/07/95 | Brisbane |
| (070) xxx xxx | (07) 40xx xxxx | 10/11/97 | Cairns |
| (071) xxx xxx | (07) 41xx xxxx | 10/11/97 | Bundaberg, Gayndah, Hervey Bay, Kingaroy, Maryborough, Murgon |
| (074) xxx xxx | (07) 54xx xxxx | 07/10/96 | Boonah, Caboolture, Esk, Gatton, Gympie, Sunshine Coast |
| (075) xxx xxx | (07) 55xx xxxx | 05/06/95 | Beaudesert, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Coolangatta |
| (076) xxx xxx | (07) 46xx xxxx | 10/11/97 | Charleville, Dalby, Dirranbandi, Goondiwindi, Inglewood, Longreach, Miles, Roma, St George, Stanthorpe, Toowoomba, Warwick |
| (077) xxx xxx | (07) 47xx xxxx | 10/11/97 | Cloncurry, Hughenden, Mount Isa, Townsville |
| (079) xxx xxx | (07) 49xx xxxx | 10/11/97 | Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton |
| (08) xxx xxxx | (08) 8xxx xxxx | 19/08/96 | Adelaide |
| (08) xxx xxx | (08) 84xx xxxx | ||
| (080) xxx xxx | (08) 80xx xxxx | 03/02/97 | Broken Hill |
| (0848) xx xxx | See Below | 03/02/97 | Kangaroo Island |
| (085) xxx xxx | (08) 85xx xxxx | 03/02/97 | Barossa Valley, Murray Lands, Riverland, South Coast |
| (086) xxx xxx | (08) 86xx xxxx | 03/02/97 | Ceduna, Eyre Peninsula, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Whyalla |
| (087) xxx xxx | (08) 87xx xxxx | 03/02/97 | Mount Gambier, Naracoorte |
| (088) xxx xxx | (08) 88xx xxxx | 13/02/95 | Clare, Kadina, Yorke Peninsula |
| (089) xxx xxx | (08) 89xx xxxx | 06/05/96 | Northern Territory |
| (09) xxx xxxx | (08) 9xxx xxxx | 05/05/97 | Perth |
| (090) xxx xxx | (08) 90xx xxxx | 05/05/97 | Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Merredin |
| (091) xxx xxx | (08) 91xx xxxx | 05/05/97 | Broome, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Derby, Port Hedland |
| (096) xxx xxx | (08) 96xx xxxx | 05/05/97 | Moora, Northam, York |
| (097) xxx xxx | (08) 97xx xxxx | 05/05/97 | Bridgetown, Bunbury, Busselton |
| (098) xxx xxx | (08) 98xx xxxx | 05/05/97 | Albany, Katanning, Narrogin, Wagin |
| (099) xxx xxx | (08) 99xx xxxx | 05/05/97 | Carnarvon, Geraldton, Meekatharra, Mullewa |
Kangaroo Island was the only area in Australia that wasn't integrated into a larger area code by the change to eight-digit phone numbering and had the only three-digit area code, 848. The Kangaroo Island area was incorporated into the (08) 855x xxxx number range with a significant change to subscriber numbers (for example (0848) 210 000 became (08) 8553 0000).
| Old Number | Town | New Number |
| (0848) 21 xxx | Kingscote | (08) 8553 4xxx |
| (0848) 22 xxx | Kingscote | (08) 8553 2xxx |
| (0848) 23 xxx | Kingscote | (08) 8553 3xxx |
| (0848) 24 xxx | Kingscote | (08) 8553 0xxx |
| (0848) 28 xxx | Macgillivray | (08) 8553 8xxx |
| (0848) 29 xxx | Cygnet River | (08) 8553 9xxx |
| (0848) 31 xxx | Penneshaw | (08) 8553 1xxx |
| (0848) 33 xxx | American River | (08) 8553 7xxx |
| (0848) 35 xxx | Wisanger | (08) 8553 5xxx |
| (0848) 36 xxx | Stokes Bay | (08) 8559 2xxx |
| (0848) 37 xxx | Karatta | (08) 8559 7xxx |
| (0848) 93 xxx | Gosse | (08) 8559 3xxx |
| (0848) 94 xxx | Harriet | (08) 8559 4xxx |
| (0848) 96 xxx | Parndana | (08) 8559 6xxx |
| (0848) 97 xxx | Parndana | (08) 8559 5xxx |
In order to prevent incorrect connections during the changeover period, a number which would otherwise have the first digits of its old form the same as the first digits of its new form had to be changed. For example, (043) 432 123 may be confused with (02) 4321 2345 (which would be used for (043) 212 345) during the change. To prevent this, before the change to eight digits, the local number was changed, so that, in the example, (043) 432 123 would become (043) 442 123, and then (02) 4344 2123. A list of all numbers changed in this way is shown in the table below.
| Old Number | New Number | Date of Change | Affected Towns |
| (002) 62x xxx | (002) 60x xxx | 07/11/94 | Richmond, Campania |
| (003) 63x xxx | (003) 67x xxx | 09/01/95 | Chudleigh, Caveside |
| (02) 99x xxxx | (02) 999x xxxx | 25/07/94 | Sydney |
| (02) 99x xxx | (02) 9999 xxxx | 25/07/94 | |
| (02) 9xx xxxx | (02) 99xx xxxx | 24/07/95 | |
| (043) 43x xxx | (043) 44x xxx | 19/02/96 | Woy Woy |
| (046) 46x xxx | (046) 48x xxx | 19/02/96 | Narellan |
| (048) 48x xxx | (048) 44x xxx | 19/02/96 | Roslyn, Bannister, Bungonia, Windellama, Quialigo |
| (049) 49x xxx | (049) 44x xxx | 19/02/96 | Dudley |
| (051) 51x xxx | (051) 54x xxx | 13/03/95 | Orbost |
| (052) 52x xxx | (052) 58x xxx | 20/03/95 | Queenscliff |
| (053) 53x xxx | (053) 54x xxx | 20/02/95 | Willaura, Moyston, Elmhurst, Crowlands |
| (054) 54x xxx | (054) 57x xxx | 13/03/95 | Myall, Murrabit, Mystic Park, Benjeroop, Appin South, Lake Meran |
| (056) 56x xxx | (056) 58x xxx | 10/04/95 | Korumburra |
| (057) 57x xxx | (057) 54x xxx | 06/02/95 | Mount Beauty, Coral Bank |
| (058) 58x xxx | (058) 52x xxx | 06/03/95 | Tongala |
| (063) 63x xxx | (063) 60x xxx | 19/02/96 | Orange |
| (065) 65x xxx | (065) 67x xxx | 19/02/96 | Smithtown, Hat Head |
| (066) 66x xxx | (066) 61x xxx | 19/02/96 | Tabulam South, Rappville, Myrtle Creek, Whiporie |
| (067) 67x xxx | (067) 60x xxx | 19/02/96 | Tamworth, Kootingal, Bithramere, Kootingal, Winton, Westdale, Hallsville, Hallsville, Nemingha |
| (068) 68x xxx | (068) 64x xxx | 19/02/96 | Yarrabandai |
| (069) 69x xxx | (069) 60x xxx | 19/02/96 | Griffith |
| (085) 85x xxx | (085) 95x xxx | 27/02/95 | Renmark, Berri, Paringa, Taldra, Cooltong, Murtho, Loxton |
| (086) 86x xxx | (086) 76x xxx | 20/02/95 | Cummins, Edillilie, Yeelanna, Karkoo, Brooker, Cockaleechie |
| (089) 89x xxx | (089) 99x xxx | 24/04/96 | Darwin |
| (097) 972 xxx | (097) 970 xxx | 19/02/96 | Australind |
