In Australia, mobile phone prefixes (the first four digits) are originally allocated to specific network providers. However, thanks to Mobile Number Portability, users can keep their original number when switching to a different network. This means a number that started as a Telstra number may now be active on the Optus or Vodafone network.
Below is a table showing the original allocations for the most common Australian mobile prefixes.
Australian Mobile Prefix Allocations
| Original Operator | Common Prefixes |
| Telstra | 0400, 0407, 0408, 0409, 0417, 0418, 0419, 0427, 0428, 0429, 0436, 0437, 0438, 0439, 0447, 0448, 0457, 0458, 0459, 0472, 0473, 0474, 0475, 0476, 0477, 0484, 0487, 0488, 0490, 0491, 0497, 0498, 0499 |
| Optus | 0401, 0402, 0403, 0411, 0412, 0413, 0421, 0422, 0423, 0431, 0432, 0434, 0435, 0444, 0455, 0456, 0466, 0468, 0478, 0479, 0481, 0482 |
| Vodafone | 0404, 0405, 0406, 0410, 0414, 0415, 0416, 0420, 0424, 0425, 0426, 0430, 0433, 0449, 0450, 0451, 0452, 0469, 0470 |
| LycaMobile | 0460, 0467 |
| Pivotel | 0480, 0488 (Satellite/Specialized) |
The “Rule of Thumb”
If you don’t want to memorize the whole list, you can generally follow this pattern for the third digit (04Xy):
- 1, 2, 3: Usually Optus
- 4, 5, 6: Usually Vodafone
- 7, 8, 9: Usually Telstra
Important Notes:
- MVNOs (Resellers): Providers like Belong, Boost, amaysim, and Aldi Mobile do not have their own prefixes. They use the prefixes of the “Big Three” (Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone) whose networks they lease. For example, a Belong number will usually have a Telstra prefix (e.g., 0400).
- 05 Prefixes: While the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has reserved the 05 range for future mobile expansion, it is currently rare and mostly used for “Personal Numbering” or specialized digital services.
- Number Porting: As mentioned, you cannot 100% guarantee a provider based on the prefix anymore. If a person “ports” their number from Telstra to Optus, they keep the 0418 prefix but are now an Optus customer.