Former Australian dialling codes - wikipedia Former Australian dialling codes Four - digit telephone number in Glebe, New South Wales, in the 1950s The format of telephone numbers in Australia has changed over time to allow for the expansion of the subscriber base as technology has improved. Contents 1 Introduction of area codes ( pre-1990s ) 2 Renumbering ( 1994 -- 1998 ) 3 Former area codes and systems of change 3.1 Minor changes 4 See also 5 References 6 External links Introduction of area codes ( pre-1990s ) The introduction of subscriber trunk dialling was slow, partly because of the distances of exchanges in some areas and partly due to the use of manual exchanges well into the 1980s. Initially, dialing codes covered a very small area, sometimes only one exchange, but gradually exchanges conglomerated to become large area codes. The length of codes varied ; as early as 1971, some localities had area codes as long as seven digits, while the state capitals had two - digit area codes. By 1989, the system had been standardised to three digit codes across the board, with two digit codes in the major cities. Only Kangaroo Island retained its four - digit code. The digit following the leading zero was chosen to represent a rough geographic area, with the following numbers : 00 : Tasmania ( but also used for emergency ( 000 ), freecall ( 008 ), premium rate ( 0055 ), international access ( 0011 ) and other special numbers ) 01 : Mobile phone, pager, information and operator services 02 : Sydney 03 : Melbourne 04 : New South Wales regional areas roughly within 250 km of Sydney ( from 1992 041x was / is used for GSM mobile phones ) 05 : Victoria regional areas 06 : Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales regional areas outside the 04 codes 07... Queensland 08... South Australia and the Northern Territory 09... Western Australia, Christmas Island * and the 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. Numbers in use before 1994 are now in the number ranges of 08 9162 for Christmas Island and 08 9164 for the Cocos Keeling Islands, but other ranges are now used on the islands ( at least in theory ). The original phone number formats for the islands were + 672 2 xxxx for Christmas Island and + 672 4 xxxx for the Cocos Islands. By 1994, there were 6 area codes of two digits covering Sydney ( 02 ), Melbourne ( 03 ), Canberra ( 06 ), Brisbane ( 07 ), Adelaide ( 08 ) and Perth ( 09 ), 48 area codes of three digits, from ( 002 ) covering Hobart to ( 099 ) covering mid-west Western Australia, and one area code of four digits, Kangaroo Island ( 0848 ), which was not incorporated into a larger area code before 1994. To dial these numbers from overseas, one omitted the leading zero. In the case of numbers in the 00 range, only the first zero was omitted : Hobart was + 61 02 xx xxxx -- this was a potential cause of confusion with the Sydney area code ( + 61 2 xxx xxxx or + 61 2 xx xxxx ). The 007 range was used for satellite phones and `` 0G '' mobile phones. Even as late as 2005 there was confusion : the prefixes + 61 78 and + 61 79 were listed as a `` mobile phone number '' on some call rates, even though the prefix was + 61 07x and had not been used for over a decade. In late March 1990, Canberra 's area code changed from ( 062 ) to ( 06 ) by integrating the 2 into the subscriber number, thus allowing 200 000 more numbers to be registered. Example telephone number in Sydney 1950s - 1960s Alphabetical exchange codes MW 2114 1960s - 1971 All - digit dialling and conversion to seven digits 660 2114 1971 - 1996 STD codes introduced 02 - 660 2114 1996 -- present Area code restructuring ( 02 ) 9660 2114 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. The first numbers to be converted to eight digits were numbers in the 99x xxxx and 99 xxxx ranges in the suburb of Mona Vale in Sydney, which all became 999x xxxx or 9999 xxxx on 25 July 1994. The final codes changed to eight digits were the Queensland ( 070 ), ( 071 ), ( 076 ), ( 077 ) and ( 079 ) codes, which all changed to ( 07 ) 4yxx xxxx on 10 November 1997. In almost all cases, the former area code was incorporated into the new subscriber number : Canberra numbers went from ( 06 ) 2xx xxxx to ( 02 ) 62xx xxxx, numbers in the Northern Territory went from ( 089 ) xx xxxx to ( 08 ) 89xx xxxx, and so on. The four major exceptions were the two cities of Sydney and Melbourne, which added a 9 to the beginning of subscriber numbers ; Tasmania, which became part of the ( 03 ) 6xxx xxxx range ; and Queensland, which spread its area codes across a wide number range so that ( 07 ) 3... covers Brisbane, ( 07 ) 5... covers the surrounds including Esk and the Gold and Sunshine coasts, and ( 07 ) 4... covers the rest of the state. In Melbourne and Sydney, new non-geographic 90xx xxxx and 91xx xxxx ranges became available. Canberra also got a new 61xx xxxx range. Mobile telephone numbers in the 01x range had a 4 inserted into the area code ( i.e. 012 345 678 became 0412 345 678 ). Until November 1998, the only mobile numbers available were in the 040x and 041x ranges, to allow time for the existing 04x area codes ( then New South Welsh regional codes ) to be converted to ( 02 ) 4xxx xxxx numbers. 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 1 March 1999, many still believe they are required to dial an area code outside their own telephone book area, but this is not the case. Former area codes and systems of change Note : the number ranges given below do not include all current numbers in a given area. See the Australian telephone numbering plan for more information. Former number Current number Date of change Location of area code ( 002 ) xx xxxx ( 03 ) 62xx xxxx 1996 - 08 - 19 Hobart & Southern Tasmania ( 003 ) xx xxxx ( 03 ) 63xx xxxx 1996 - 08 - 19 Launceston & North East Tasmania ( 004 ) xx xxxx ( 03 ) 64xx xxxx 1996 - 08 - 19 Burnie, Devonport, North West & West Coast of Tasmania 0055 xxxxx 1900 9xx xxx 1902 2xx xxx Premium numbers 007 1xx xxx 0147 1xx xxx March 1999 Satellite telephone numbers 008 xxx xxx 1800 xxx xxx Toll - free numbers 01z xxx xxx 041z xxx xxx 040z xxx xxx Mobile phone codes ( covering ( 014 ), ( 016 ), ( 018 ) and ( 019 ) ) Some of these codes are still in use : ( 014 ) is used for satellite phones, ( 016 ) for pagers, and ( 018 ) for a limited number of analogue AMPS phones. ( 02 ) 99x xxxx ( 02 ) 999x xxxx 1994 - 07 - 25 Mona Vale ( Sydney ) ( 02 ) 99 xxxx ( 02 ) 9999 xxxx 1994 - 07 - 25 Mona Vale ( Sydney ) ( 02 ) 9xx xxxx ( 02 ) 99xx xxxx 1995 - 07 - 24 Sydney ( 02 ) xxx xxxx ( 02 ) 9xxx xxxx 1996 - 07 - 29 Sydney ( 02 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 91xx xxxx 1996 - 07 - 29 Sydney ( 03 ) xxx xxxx ( 03 ) 9xxx xxxx 1995 - 05 - 08 Melbourne ( 042 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 42xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Wollongong ( 043 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 43xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Central Coast, Gosford ( 044 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 44xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Batemans Bay, Moruya, Narooma, Nowra, Ulladulla ( 045 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 45xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Richmond, Windsor ( 046 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 46xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Camden, Campbelltown, Picton ( 047 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 47xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Katoomba, Penrith, Springwood ( 048 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 48xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Bowral, Braidwood, Crookwell, Goulburn, Mittagong, Moss Vale ( 049 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 49xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Cessnock, Maitland, Newcastle ( 050 ) xx xxxx ( 03 ) 50xx xxxx 1996 - 11 - 11 Balranald, Hopetoun, Mildura, Ouyen, Swan Hill ( 051 ) xx xxxx ( 03 ) 51xx xxxx 1996 - 11 - 11 Bairnsdale, Moe, Morwell, Sale, Traralgon ( 052 ) xx xxxx ( 03 ) 52xx xxxx 1996 - 11 - 11 Colac, Geelong ( 053 ) xx xxxx ( 03 ) 53xx xxxx 1996 - 11 - 11 Ararat, Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Horsham, Nhill, Stawell ( 054 ) xx xxxx ( 03 ) 54xx xxxx 1996 - 11 - 11 Bendigo, Castlemaine, Charlton, Echuca, Kerang, Kyneton, Maryborough ( 055 ) xx xxxx ( 03 ) 55xx xxxx 1996 - 11 - 11 Camperdown, Casterton, Edenhope, Hamilton, Portland, Warrnambool ( 056 ) xx xxxx ( 03 ) 56xx xxxx 1996 - 11 - 11 Foster, Korumburra, Leongatha, Warragul, Wonthaggi ( 057 ) xx xxxx ( 03 ) 57xx xxxx 1996 - 11 - 11 Alexandra, Benalla, Myrtleford, Seymour, Wangaratta ( 058 ) xx xxxx ( 03 ) 58xx xxxx 1996 - 11 - 11 Cobram, Deniliquin, Numurkah, Shepparton ( 059 ) xx xxxx ( 03 ) 59xx xxxx 1996 - 11 - 11 Cranbourne, Healesville, Mornington ( 06 ) 2xx xxxx ( 02 ) 62xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Canberra, Queanbeyan, Yass ( 060 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 60xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Albury, Corowa, Corryong, Holbrook, Wodonga ( 063 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 63xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Bathurst, Cowra, Lithgow, Mudgee, Orange, Rylstone, Young ( 064 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 64xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Bega, Berridale, Bombala, Cooma, Eden, Jindabyne, Merimbula, Snowy Mountains ( 065 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 65xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Forster, Gloucester, Kempsey, Lord Howe Island, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Port Macquarie, Scone, Singleton, Taree, Wauchope ( 066 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 66xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Ballina, Casino, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Lismore, Murwillumbah ( 067 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 67xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Armidale, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Inverell, Moree, Narrabri, Tamworth ( 068 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 68xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Cobar, Condobolin, Dubbo, Forbes, Parkes, Wellington ( 069 ) xx xxxx ( 02 ) 69xx xxxx 1997 - 08 - 18 Cootamundra, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Narrandera, Temora, Tumut, Wagga Wagga, West Wyalong ( 07 ) xxx xxxx ( 07 ) 3xxx xxxx 1995 - 07 - 17 Brisbane ( 070 ) xx xxxx ( 07 ) 40xx xxxx 1997 - 11 - 10 Cairns ( 071 ) xx xxxx ( 07 ) 41xx xxxx 1997 - 11 - 10 Bundaberg, Gayndah, Hervey Bay, Kingaroy, Maryborough, Murgon ( 074 ) xx xxxx ( 07 ) 54xx xxxx 1996 - 10 - 07 Boonah, Caboolture, Esk, Gatton, Gympie, Sunshine Coast ( 075 ) xx xxxx ( 07 ) 55xx xxxx 1995 - 06 - 05 Beaudesert, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Coolangatta ( 076 ) xx xxxx ( 07 ) 46xx xxxx 1997 - 11 - 10 Toowoomba, Charleville, Dalby, Dirranbandi, Goondiwindi, Inglewood, Longreach, Miles, Roma, St George, Stanthorpe, Warwick ( 077 ) xx xxxx ( 07 ) 47xx xxxx 1997 - 11 - 10 Townsville, Cloncurry, Hughenden, Mount Isa ( 079 ) xx xxxx ( 07 ) 49xx xxxx 1997 - 11 - 10 Rockhampton, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay ( 08 ) xxx xxxx ( 08 ) 8xxx xxxx 1996 - 08 - 19 Adelaide ( 08 ) xx xxxx ( 08 ) 84xx xxxx 1996 - 08 - 19 Adelaide ( 080 ) xx xxxx ( 08 ) 80xx xxxx 1997 - 02 - 03 Broken Hill ( 0848 ) xxxxx ( 08 ) 855x xxxx ( See below ) 1997 - 02 - 03 Kangaroo Island ( 085 ) xx xxxx ( 08 ) 85xx xxxx 1997 - 02 - 03 Barossa Valley, Riverland ( 086 ) xx xxxx ( 08 ) 86xx xxxx 1997 - 02 - 03 Ceduna, Eyre Peninsula, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Whyalla ( 087 ) xx xxxx ( 08 ) 87xx xxxx 1997 - 02 - 03 Mount Gambier, Naracoorte ( 088 ) xx xxxx ( 08 ) 88xx xxxx 1995 - 02 - 13 Clare, Kadina, Yorke Peninsula ( 089 ) xx xxxx ( 08 ) 89xx xxxx 1996 - 05 - 06 Northern Territory ( 09 ) xxx xxxx ( 08 ) 9xxx xxxx 1997 - 05 - 05 Perth ( 090 ) xx xxxx ( 08 ) 90xx xxxx 1997 - 05 - 05 Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Merredin ( 091 ) xx xxxx ( 08 ) 91xx xxxx 1997 - 05 - 05 Broome, Christmas Island, Cocos ( Keeling ) Islands, Derby, Port Hedland ( 096 ) xx xxxx ( 08 ) 96xx xxxx 1997 - 05 - 05 Moora, Northam, York ( 097 ) xx xxxx ( 08 ) 97xx xxxx 1997 - 05 - 05 Bridgetown, Bunbury, Busselton ( 098 ) xx xxxx ( 08 ) 98xx xxxx 1997 - 05 - 05 Albany, Katanning, Narrogin, Wagin ( 099 ) xx xxxx ( 08 ) 99xx xxxx 1997 - 05 - 05 Carnarvon, Geraldton, Meekatharra, Mullewa Jump up ^ The Canberra area code was formerly ( 062 ) but, due to demand, the 2 was incorporated into the subscriber number in the week of 21 -- 28 March 1990. Despite this, the area code was still listed as ( 062 ) is some areas before the change to eight digits. Between 1990 and 1997, Canberra local numbers were only available in the form 2xx xxxx so that outside dialling could not clash with other area codes. Jump up ^ Brisbane local numbers were only available in the forms 2xx xxxx, 3xx xxxx or 8xx xxxx so that outside dialling could not clash with other area codes. Jump up ^ Adelaide local numbers were only available in the forms 2xx xxxx, 3xx xxxx, 3x xxxx, 4xx xxxx or 4x xxxx so that outside dialling could not clash with other area codes. Jump up ^ Perth local numbers were only available in the forms 2xx xxxx, 3xx xxxx, 4xx xxxx or 5xx xxxx so that outside dialling could not clash with other area codes. Minor changes Kangaroo Island was the only area in Australia that was n't integrated into a larger area code before the change to eight - digit phone numbering, and had the only four - digit area code, ( 0848 ). The Kangaroo Island area was incorporated into the ( 08 ) 855x xxxx number range with a significant change to subscriber numbers ( for example ( 0848 ) 21000 became ( 08 ) 8553 4000 ). Old number Town New number ( 0848 ) 21xxx Kingscote ( 08 ) 8553 4xxx ( 0848 ) 22xxx Kingscote ( 08 ) 8553 2xxx ( 0848 ) 23xxx Kingscote ( 08 ) 8553 3xxx ( 0848 ) 24xxx Kingscote ( 08 ) 8553 0xxx ( 0848 ) 28xxx Macgillivray ( 08 ) 8553 8xxx ( 0848 ) 29xxx Cygnet River ( 08 ) 8553 9xxx ( 0848 ) 31xxx Penneshaw ( 08 ) 8553 1xxx ( 0848 ) 33xxx American River ( 08 ) 8553 7xxx ( 0848 ) 35xxx Wisanger ( 08 ) 8553 5xxx ( 0848 ) 36xxx Stokes Bay ( 08 ) 8559 2xxx ( 0848 ) 37xxx Karatta ( 08 ) 8559 7xxx ( 0848 ) 93xxx Gosse ( 08 ) 8559 3xxx ( 0848 ) 94xxx Harriet ( 08 ) 8559 4xxx ( 0848 ) 96xxx Parndana ( 08 ) 8559 6xxx ( 0848 ) 97xxx 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 ) 43 2123 may be confused with ( 02 ) 4321 2345 ( which would be used for ( 043 ) 21 2345 ) during the change. To prevent this, before the change to eight digits, the local number was changed, so that, in the example, ( 043 ) 43 2123 would become ( 043 ) 44 2123, 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 ( 062 ) xx xxxx ( 06 ) 2xx xxxx 1990 - 03 Canberra, Queanbeyan, Yass + 672 2 xxxx ( 091 ) 62 xxxx 1994 - 10 - 02 Christmas Island + 672 4 xxxx ( 091 ) 64 xxxx 1994 - 10 - 02 Cocos ( Keeling ) Islands ( 002 ) 62 xxxx ( 002 ) 60 xxxx 1994 - 11 - 07 Richmond, Campania ( 003 ) 63 xxxx ( 003 ) 67 xxxx 1995 - 01 - 09 Chudleigh, Caveside ( 02 ) 9xx xxxx ( 02 ) 99xx xxxx 1995 - 07 - 24 ( 043 ) 43 xxxx ( 043 ) 44 xxxx 1996 - 02 - 19 Woy Woy ( 046 ) 46 xxxx ( 046 ) 48 xxxx 1996 - 02 - 19 Narellan ( 048 ) 48 xxxx ( 048 ) 44 xxxx 1996 - 02 - 19 Roslyn, Bannister, Bungonia, Windellama, Quialigo ( 049 ) 49 xxxx ( 049 ) 44 xxxx 1996 - 02 - 19 Dudley ( 051 ) 51 xxxx ( 051 ) 54 xxxx 1995 - 03 - 13 Orbost ( 052 ) 52 xxxx ( 052 ) 58 xxxx 1995 - 03 - 20 Queenscliff ( 053 ) 53 xxxx ( 053 ) 54 xxxx 1995 - 02 - 20 Willaura, Moyston, Elmhurst, Crowlands ( 054 ) 54 xxxx ( 054 ) 57 xxxx 1995 - 03 - 13 Myall, Murrabit, Mystic Park, Benjeroop, Appin South, Lake Meran ( 056 ) 56 xxxx ( 056 ) 58 xxxx 1995 - 04 - 10 Korumburra ( 057 ) 57 xxxx ( 057 ) 54 xxxx 1995 - 02 - 06 Mount Beauty, Coral Bank ( 058 ) 58 xxxx ( 058 ) 52 xxxx 1995 - 03 - 06 Tongala ( 063 ) 63 xxxx ( 063 ) 60 xxxx 1996 - 02 - 19 Orange ( 065 ) 65 xxxx ( 065 ) 67 xxxx 1996 - 02 - 19 Smithtown, Hat Head ( 066 ) 66 xxxx ( 066 ) 61 xxxx 1996 - 02 - 19 Tabulam South, Rappville, Myrtle Creek, Whiporie ( 067 ) 67 xxxx ( 067 ) 60 xxxx 1996 - 02 - 19 Tamworth, Bithramere, Kootingal, Winton, Westdale, Hallsville, Nemingha ( 068 ) 68 xxxx ( 068 ) 64 xxxx 1996 - 02 - 19 Yarrabandai ( 069 ) 69 xxxx ( 069 ) 60 xxxx 1996 - 02 - 19 Griffith ( 085 ) 85 xxxx ( 085 ) 95 xxxx 1995 - 02 - 27 Renmark, Berri, Paringa, Taldra, Cooltong, Murtho, Loxton ( 086 ) 86 xxxx ( 086 ) 76 xxxx 1995 - 02 - 20 Cummins, Edillilie, Yeelanna, Karkoo, Brooker, Cockaleechie ( 089 ) 89 xxxx ( 089 ) 99 xxxx 1996 - 04 - 24 Darwin, Northern Territory ( 097 ) 97 2xxx ( 097 ) 97 0xxx 1996 - 02 - 19 Australind See also Telephone numbers in Australia References Jump up ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20050204164939/http://phonebooks.ummm.net/areacodes.html Jump up ^ http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/08/australia-made-its-first-mobile-call-30-years-ago-today/ Jump up ^ http://whrl.pl/RIAoT Jump up ^ The example number is a real number, for F.J. Galluzzo produce shop in Glebe, New South Wales. ITU allocations list External links 8 - digit numbering on the official ACMA website Telephone numbers in Oceania Sovereign states Australia Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru New Zealand Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Associated states of New Zealand Cook Islands Niue Dependencies and other territories American Samoa Christmas Island Cocos ( Keeling ) Islands Easter Island French Polynesia Guam Hawaii New Caledonia Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Pitcairn Islands Tokelau Wallis and Futuna Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Former_Australian_dialling_codes&oldid=797671500 '' Categories : Telephone numbers in Australia History of telecommunications in Australia Hidden categories : Use dmy dates from March 2011 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 28 August 2017, at 14 : 59. 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Question: when did australia change to 8 digit phone numbers
Answer: between 1994 and 1998