What are 1300 and 1800 numbers?
1300 and 1800 are Australian inbound number ranges. Callers pay local or national rates depending on the number type; the business pays for the call from the number to its destination. Numbers can be routed to fixed lines, mobiles, SIP endpoints or contact centre queues. They are commonly used for customer service, sales and marketing so that one number works Australia-wide—whether your business is in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra or Hobart.
Routing options
Typical routing includes: single destination (all calls to one number); time-based (e.g. business hours to one queue, after hours to another); geographic (e.g. by caller’s area code); and overflow (e.g. to voicemail or backup number when busy). When comparing providers, check which routing options they support and whether they integrate with your phone system or contact centre platform.
Reporting and billing
Call detail—duration, origin, destination, cost—is important for cost control and analytics. Providers differ in how much detail they offer and whether it’s in a portal, CSV export or API. If you use a contact centre platform, check whether the inbound provider can feed data into it. Billing models also vary: per-minute, per-call or bundled; compare typical costs for your expected volume.
Integration
1300/1800 services must connect to your PABX, cloud phone system or contact centre. Some providers offer direct SIP or PRI integration; others use a forwarding model. When reviewing, confirm compatibility with your current or planned telephony and whether there are any extra integration or setup fees.
Portability
If you already have 1300/1800 numbers and are switching provider, number portability generally allows you to keep them. Confirm porting process and typical lead time with any shortlisted provider. See our 1300/1800 inbound numbers service page for more.
FAQ
What’s the difference between 1300 and 1800?
1800 is typically free to the caller (you pay the full cost). 1300 calls are usually charged to the caller at a local rate with you paying the remainder. Choice depends on your marketing and cost preferences.
Can we have multiple destinations?
Yes. Routing rules can send calls to different destinations by time, geography or other logic. Capabilities vary by provider.
Do you sell 1300/1800 services?
No. Telco Review compares options; we do not sell inbound number services. We help you see what’s available so you can engage providers directly.