For many Australian businesses, a 1300 number is one of the easiest ways to create a professional national presence.
A 1300 number allows customers anywhere in Australia to contact your business using one memorable number. Instead of advertising multiple local phone numbers, businesses can promote a single national contact point.
In this guide, we explain how to get a 1300 number in Australia, how they work, and what you should consider before activating one.
Step 1 — Choose Your 1300 Number
The first step is selecting the number itself.
A typical 1300 number follows this format:
1300 XXX XXX
There are two common types of numbers available.
Standard Numbers
Standard numbers contain a random combination of digits.
Example:
1300 742 553
These numbers are typically free or very inexpensive to activate.
Smart Numbers (Memorable Numbers)
Some numbers are easier to remember due to patterns or words.
Examples include:
1300 111 222
1300 CLEANER
1300 LAWYERS
These numbers are commonly called SmartNumbers or PhoneWords and may have a premium price depending on demand.
You can search available numbers here:
https://thinkpickle.com.au/numbers/1300-numbers
Step 2 — Choose Where Calls Will Go
A 1300 number is a virtual phone number, meaning it does not connect to a single physical phone line.
Instead, incoming calls are routed to your chosen destination, such as:
- Mobile phones
- Office landlines
- VoIP desk phones
- Call centres
- Cloud phone systems
Many businesses route calls to multiple team members simultaneously so calls are answered quickly.
Step 3 — Configure Call Routing
Modern inbound numbers support flexible call routing options.
Simultaneous Ring
Calls ring multiple phones at the same time so the first available team member can answer.
Time-of-Day Routing
Calls can be routed differently depending on the time of day.
Example:
Business hours → Office phones
After hours → Voicemail or mobile
IVR (Phone Menu)
Businesses can create automated menus such as:
Press 1 for Sales
Press 2 for Support
Press 3 for Accounts
This helps direct callers to the correct department.
Geographic Routing
Calls can also be routed based on the caller's location.
Example:
NSW callers → Sydney office
VIC callers → Melbourne office
Step 4 — Activate Your 1300 Number
Once routing is configured, the number can be activated.
In most cases activation is instant or completed within a few hours.
Once active, your business can immediately begin receiving calls.
Step 5 — Start Promoting Your Number
Once your number is active, you can start using it across your marketing channels.
Businesses typically promote their 1300 number on:
- Websites
- Google Business Profile
- Online advertising
- Email signatures
- Printed marketing
- Vehicle signage
Using one national number creates a consistent brand presence across all marketing.
What Does a 1300 Number Cost?
There are usually three cost components.
Number Purchase
Standard numbers are often free.
Memorable numbers (SmartNumbers or PhoneWords) may cost anywhere from:
$250 – $4,500+
depending on demand.
Monthly Access Fee
Most providers charge a small monthly access fee.
Typical plans range from:
$20 – $40 per month
depending on features and call volume.
Call Charges
Businesses pay for inbound calls they receive.
The rate varies depending on:
- whether the caller used a mobile or landline
- where the call is forwarded
- the call plan chosen
Can You Transfer a 1300 Number Between Providers?
Yes.
1300 numbers in Australia are portable between providers. This means you can move your number to another telecom provider without changing the number your customers call.
Why Businesses Use 1300 Numbers
Many businesses choose 1300 numbers because they:
- Create a professional national presence
- Simplify advertising with one number
- Allow advanced call routing
- Support remote teams
- Scale easily as the business grows
For growing businesses, they provide a simple and flexible way to manage inbound customer calls.
Get Your 1300 Number Today
If you're ready to activate a national contact number, you can search available numbers instantly.
https://thinkpickle.com.au/numbers/1300-numbers
You can activate a number in minutes and start routing calls to your team immediately.