Australian Postcodes and Telephone Area Codes

Australian postcodes (zip codes) can cover large areas, suburbs, towns, even multiple towns in regional areas. You might also be interested in our School and Public Holiday dates and Time Zones & Daylight Saving pages.

Post Codes

Australian postcodes are 4 digits with the initial digit usually indicating the state. Their primary purpose is for the sorting and delivery of mail so there are exceptions to the guidelines below. In regional and suburban areas, one postcode can cover more than one suburb or locality, whereas in metropolitan areas, many postcodes may be used within a small areas. This system was introduced in 1967.

  • 0200 – The Australian National University
  • 0xxx – (08xx, 09xx) is in Northern Territory (0800 is central Darwin)
  • 1xxx & 2xxx – is in New South Wales (2000 is central Sydney) & ACT
  • 3xxx & 8xxx – is in Victoria (3000 is central Melbourne)
  • 4xxx & 9xxx – is in Queensland (4000 is central Brisbane)
  • 5xxx – is in South Australia (5000 is central Adelaide)
  • 6xxx – is in Western Australia (6000 is central Perth)
  • 7xxx – is in Tasmania (7000 is central Hobart)
  • Australian Post has an online postcode search as well as postage calculators and other postage information

Telephone Area Codes

Australia uses 8-digit local phone numbers preceded by a 2-digit STD area code.

  • 02 New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory
  • 03 Victoria & Tasmania
  • 04 Mobile Telephones Australia-wide
  • 07 Queensland
  • 08 Western Australia, South Australia & Northern Territory

So if a phone number in Queensland is 12345678.  (not a real phone number)
When dialled from interstate, it is 07 12345678

The Australian Country Code is 61. When calling from outside Australia, leave out the leading “0” from the area code or from the mobile telephone number.

So, when calling Australia from overseas, a phone number is:
(your country outgoing IDD access code) + 61 7 12345678

Emergency Telephone calls (Fire / Police / Ambulance)

  • Dial 000 for Emergency calls (Fire / Police / Ambulance) in Australia
See our events pages for what’s on in all states of Australia in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. You can also add your own events for community, environmental, non-profit and cultural groups and organisations free.