Phone words are 1300, 1800, or 13 numbers that spell a recognisable word or phrase on a phone keypad — for example, 1300 PICKLE or 1800 FLOWERS. They replace hard-to-recall digit strings with branded, memorable identifiers that improve advertising response and customer recall.
Phone words for Australian businesses
1300, 1800 and 13 numbers that spell your brand — easier to remember, easier to market. Example: 1300 PICKLE.
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Australian-based support
How Phone Words Work
It’s a simple add‑on to your 1300 or 1800 service.
Search and Select
Find an available phone word or close variant.
Pair with 1300 or 1800
License the word and link it to your number type.
Activate & Route
Your calls route just like a normal 1300/1800 service.
Use Everywhere
Roll it out across ads, web, vehicles and signage.
Why choose phone words
Phone words make your business easier to remember than standard numbers. Pair a memorable word with your 1300 or 1800 number to boost recall and enquiries.
Brand recognition
Establish a consistent identity across marketing channels.
Customer convenience
Make it easier for customers to contact you.
Increased ROI
Boost the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.
SEO advantage
Leverage keyword‑rich phone words for better search visibility.
Who uses phone words?
Marketing agencies
Client campaigns that need a memorable response line.
Franchises
Consistent brand number across every location.
Campaign-led brands
Radio, TV and outdoor where recall matters most.
Automotive
Dealers and services promoting across suburbs or states.
Retail chains
One number customers remember from any store.
Professional services
Law, accounting, consulting — brand-first inbound line.
What Our Clients Say
We moved our office internet to Pickle and the difference has been noticeable. The connection has been stable and the installation process was smooth from start to finish. Their team also helped configure our router and phone system so everything worked together properly. It’s great dealing with a provider that understands business networks.
Sarah L., Practice Manager, Forrest Training
Pickle set up our phone system and internet without fuss. The handover was clear, and support has been responsive when we’ve needed changes.
David P., Bright & Duggan
We needed business internet quickly for our new premises and Pickle organised everything within a few days. The router arrived pre-configured and was ready to go. Whenever we’ve needed help their support team has been responsive and easy to work with.
David K., Director, Pillar Facilities Management
We recently engaged Pickle for their Professional IT Services and were impressed by the level of expertise and professionalism they brought. As a student accommodation company operating multiple sites, it was crucial for us to have a secure and well-managed IT environment. Pickle has exceeded our expectations and we recommend their professional IT services to any business looking to improve their technology infrastructure.
Ryan R., IT Manager, Urbanest
The team coordinated the cutover to minimise downtime and confirmed everything worked across our sites. It’s been reliable since.
Jessica S., Evolve House
Why Australian Businesses Choose Pickle for Phone Words
Affordable add‑on
License a phone word starting at just $45/month.
Wide selection
Find the perfect word for your brand.
Australian‑based support
Expert help when you need it.
Boosts marketing ROI
Drive better recall and engagement with phone words.
Phone Word Plans and Pricing
Annual plans ensure your phone word is reserved exclusively for your brand — no competitor can claim it.
Example combined cost: $45/month phone word + from $19/month 1300 service = from $64/month (ex GST).
Note: 1300/1800 plans are billed separately on a month‑to‑month basis.
Starter
Budget-friendly phone words for functional, everyday use.
$45/month
Best for sole traders and small businesses wanting a memorable number.
Low-cost option for essential business communication.
Words with low or no premium pattern value.
Ideal when you want memorability on a budget.
Opal Plan
Word-value numbers to strengthen your brand presence.
$250/month
Best for growing businesses running print, radio, or outdoor campaigns.
Catchy word combinations suited to multi‑channel ads.
Cost‑effective way to enhance brand identity.
Includes licensing for valuable word‑based numbers.
Diamond Plan
High‑value word‑based numbers for superior brand recognition.
$1,400/month
Best for high‑volume businesses where call volume justifies premium brand recognition.
Memorable words that maximise recall in mass media.
Ideal for nationwide marketing campaigns.
Enhances trust and customer engagement.
Search Available Phone Word Numbers
Search 1300 and 1800 phone words. Pick a word, pair it with your number, and activate in minutes.
Frequently asked questions about phone words
What is a phone word?
A phone word is a 1300, 1800 or 13 number expressed as letters, like 1300 PICKLE. It’s licensed alongside your 1300/1800 service and routes like a normal business number. Because it’s easier to recall and say in ads, phone words can lift brand recall and enquiry rates without changing how calls are handled.
See our complete phone words guide → /resources/phone-words-guide
How do phone words work in Australia?
Each letter on a standard keypad maps to a digit (P=7, I=4, C=2, K=5, L=5, E=3). When a customer dials the word, their phone translates the letters to digits automatically. Phone words are allocated under the ACMA smartnumbers scheme and pair with a 1300, 1800 or 13 prefix.
Read how phone words work in Australia → /resources/phone-words-guide
How do I choose a phone word for my business?
Keep it short, relevant and easy to spell. Avoid ambiguous letters (e.g. 0/O), use plain language your customers already use, and test it out loud. If your first choice isn’t available, try singular/plural variants, synonyms or a short descriptor (e.g. CLEAN, CLEANUP).
See our guide to choosing a phone word → /resources/how-to-choose-a-phone-word
What if my preferred phone word is taken?
You still have options. Consider close variants, abbreviations, plural/singular changes or adding a simple descriptor. We can also suggest available words in your category so you keep the intent while staying memorable.
Explore alternatives in our phone words guide → /resources/phone-words-guide
Do I need a 1300 or 1800 number to use a phone word?
Yes. Phone words work with 1300 and 1800 services. You’ll license the word and pair it with your active 1300/1800 plan. If you already have a number elsewhere, talk to us about your options.
Compare your options: 1300 numbers | 1800 numbers
How much does a phone word cost?
Phone word licences start from $45/month. Pricing depends on the marketing value and availability of the word. The underlying 1300/1800 plan is billed separately on a month‑to‑month basis. We’ll confirm total costs before activation.
View our phone word pricing breakdown → /resources/phone-word-costs-australia
How long does it take to set up a phone word?
Most phone words are set up within 2–10 business days, depending on availability and registry processing. We’ll keep you updated and confirm once your word is live and routing correctly.
Implementation steps explained → /resources/phone-words-guide
Can any business get a phone word?
Any registered Australian business can apply through a licensed reseller, subject to availability and registry rules. If your first choice is taken, we’ll suggest close variants and category alternatives.
Who can register and how → /resources/phone-words-guide
Can I route calls from a phone word like a normal number?
Your phone word routes through your 1300/1800 service, so you get the same features — time and day routing, call overflow, IVR, area‑based routing and call reporting. It’s a branding layer, not a limitation.
See how inbound call routing works → /resources/how-inbound-call-routing-works
How do I dial phone numbers with letters?
Match each letter to its keypad digit, then dial normally. For example, PICKLE maps to 742553 — so 1800 PICKLE is dialled as 1800 742 553. Most mobiles and softphones display the mapping on‑screen if you type the letters.
Dialling tips and examples → /resources/phone-words-guide
What is over dial and does it matter?
Over dial is when a phone word has more than six letters after the prefix (e.g. 1800). Extra digits are usually ignored and the call still connects. For the broadest compatibility — especially with some IP networks — aim for six letters if you can.
Compatibility considerations → /resources/phone-words-guide
Can I port an existing phone word to Pickle?
In many cases, yes — subject to the current licence holder and registry rules. Share your details and we’ll confirm what’s possible and the steps involved.
Porting steps and timelines → /contact
Do callers pay to ring a phone word?
Charges depend on the underlying number type. 1800 numbers are generally free to call within Australia; 1300 numbers are typically charged at a local call rate (mobile plans may vary). Branding doesn’t change caller charging — the number type does.
Learn more: 1800 numbers | 1300 numbers
Are phone words better than a regular 1300 number?
For radio, TV, print and outdoor, phone words generally outperform numeric-only numbers because they’re easier to remember and repeat. For digital-only funnels, the advantage is smaller — but they still strengthen brand recognition across channels.
When to choose a phone word → /resources/phone-words-guide
What is the difference between a 1300 and 1800 phone word?
A 1300 phone word shares the call cost between caller and business, which suits sales and enquiry lines. A 1800 phone word is free for callers, better for support lines or when you want to remove any barrier to calling. Both support phone words — choose based on call volume and customer expectations.
Compare 1300 vs 1800 → /business-phone-numbers/1300-numbers | /business-phone-numbers/1800-numbers
Can I keep my phone word if I switch providers?
Yes. Australian phone words are licensed under ACMA’s smartnumbers scheme and can be ported to another provider. Start the port before closing your existing account to avoid downtime — we’ll guide you through the process.
Porting guide → /contact
Are phone words available across all Australian states?
Yes. 1300, 1800 and 13 numbers are national — they work from any Australian phone regardless of the caller’s state or network.
National coverage explained → /resources/phone-words-guide