Using 13, 1300 and 1800 Numbers in Australia
How Australian businesses use 13, 1300 and 1800 numbers — who pays for the call, published plans from $10 per month and where to compare current rates.
Businesses in Australia use inbound numbers — 13, 1300 and 1800 formats — as a single published contact point that customers call instead of a personal or internal line. At 1300 Easy Dial the published products are 1300 numbers, 1800 numbers and Phonewords, which use a 13, 1300 or 1800 number to spell a word on the keypad.
Each format divides the call cost differently:
- 1300: a shared-cost business number — the caller and the business share the call cost. Public plans start at $10 per month.
- 1800: callers call free in the stated Australian 1800-number context, and the business pays the call charges. Plans also start at $10 per month.
- 13: the six-digit variant, typically used by larger national companies.
- Phonewords: any of the above formats spelling a word, from $40 per month with availability and desirability affecting the price.
Who pays for the call?
The cost split is the main practical difference between the formats. An 1800 number removes the caller charge in the Australian context, which suits businesses that want to make contacting them free. A 1300 number shares the cost, so callers contribute and the business pays the remainder. The 13 format is the six-digit compact version, typically associated with larger national companies.
Use the published tables rather than assumptions when comparing: the pricing page pairs every 1300 and 1800 plan with its own call-rate table, and prices are in Australian dollars including GST.
Using a number day to day
When you sign up, the flow asks for the number the service will connect to — the answering point your inbound calls should reach. Beyond that configured signup step, this site does not establish detailed routing or device arrangements, so treat the signup flow and the team as the source of truth for how a specific setup will work.
What the published pages do establish is choice and availability. You can search available 1300/1800 Phonewords at any time; availability is not guaranteed for a specific word, and Phoneword pricing starts from $40 per month with desirability affecting the final price.
Add-ons listed with the plans
Beyond the numbers themselves, the pricing page lists three add-on services: Call Tracking Numbers at $5 per month, an IVR Keypress Menu at $35 per month and a Postcode Prompter at $250 per month, published as services that help manage and analyse incoming calls. Their current prices and scope live on the pricing page — this page does not restate setup details, and the team can confirm how an add-on pairs with a specific number.
Questions about using Australian numbers
Are 13 or 1300 numbers free to call in Australia?
Neither is free in the way an 1800 number is. A 1300 number is shared cost — the caller pays part and the business pays the remainder. The published FAQ describes 13 numbers by their six-digit length and corporate use; confirm current 13 call-cost details with the team.
When does a business use an 1800 number?
When it wants calls to be free for customers in the Australian 1800-number context and is prepared to carry the call charges itself. Published 1800 plans start at $10 per month.
What is the difference between a 13 and a 1300 number?
Length and typical use: a 13 number is six digits and is typically used by larger national companies, while a 1300 number is ten digits. See the 13, 1300 and 1800 comparison for the full picture.
Can I spell a word with an Australian inbound number?
Yes — that is a Phoneword. It uses a 13, 1300 or 1800 number to spell a word on the telephone keypad. Search available 1300/1800 Phonewords with Find a Number.
Related reading: 1300 vs 1800 numbers and the 1300 numbers overview.
Inbound numbers
Put an Australian inbound number to work
Compare the 13, 1300 and 1800 formats, then search available Phonewords or view current plans.