Telecommunications Numbering Plan Variation 2005 (No. 4)

Administered by Department of Communications and the Arts

Legislation au F2005L03651 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Issued by the authority of the Australian Communications and Media Authority

Telecommunications Act 1997

Telecommunications Numbering Plan Amendment 2005 (No.4)

Statutory basis

Subsection 455(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (the Act) provides that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) must, by written instrument, make a plan for the numbering of carriage services in Australia and the use of numbers in connection with the supply of such services. This is the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997 (the Numbering Plan).

Purpose of variation

The purpose of this variation is to specify new number ranges for use in eleven areas across Australia approaching number exhaustion.

Background

Access to numbers is a prerequisite for access to telecommunications networks and services. There must therefore be an adequate supply of numbers available for allocation in a way that enables telecommunications companies to compete on equal terms and to ensure telephone users have access to the services they require.

Local services are an area in which competition and provision of new service types has generated substantial demand for numbers. Local services are delivered on geographic numbers, identified by a two-digit area code followed by an eight-digit telephone number (for example, (03) 9963 6800). These numbers are used to provide telephone users with an individually identifiable local telephone service. Geographic numbers are the most commonly allocated numbers, with examples of services provided on these numbers including fixed-line telecommunications, access to the Internet and voicemail.

One of the most important features of a geographic number is the relationship between the number and the area in which it can be used. This information has been a feature of geographic numbers since around 1960, and is understood and used by telephone users to infer the general location of the called party and information about the charges associated with the call.

ACMA has identified a series of areas across Australia where the available supply of numbers is forecast to run out within 12-18 months and/or where ACMA has limited capacity to meet any application(s) for numbers in every standard zone unit (SZU).

In determining which number ranges to specify to supplement the prefixes approaching exhaustion, ACMA considered the most efficient numbering arrangement that maintains the numbering patterns currently in use in each of the identified areas. As a result, this variation is to amend the Numbering Plan to specify new numbers commencing with:

(02) 55 (except (02) 5550 which are used as fictitious numbers) and (02) 56 for use in regional New South Wales;
(03) 40, (03) 41, (03) 43 and (03) 47 for use in regional Victoria;
(03) 61 for use in the Hobart area;
(07) 42 and (07) 44 for use in regional Queensland; and
(08) 60 and (08) 66 for use in regional Western Australia.

Specification of these new numbers will provide sufficient additional numbers to meet forecast demand in the identified areas for the medium- to longer-term.

Public consultation

In July 2005 when the proposed variation was considered, section 460 of the Act specified public consultation where a variation to the Plan would affect a number issued to a customer or if it were otherwise considered in the public interest to consult. Under section 17 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, a rule-maker must ensure that any person likely to be affected by the variation–where that variation is likely to have a direct, or substantially indirect, effect on business, or restrict competition–must be provided with adequate opportunity to comment.

Consequently, ACMA sought the views of the Numbering Advisory Committee (NAC)[1] and also released a draft amendment for public comment. Comment received from Optus indicated full support for the proposed amendment. No other member of NAC commented. No comment on the draft variation was received from the public.

Section 461 of the Act separately requires ACMA to formally consult the ACCC before varying the Plan. The ACCC indicated that it has no comments on the proposed variation.

The Office of Regulation Review (ORR) has endorsed a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) concerning this variation (ORR Reference: 7686).

Details of Amendment

Section 1 provides that the amendment may be cited as the Telecommunications Numbering Plan Amendment 2005 (No. 4).

Section 2 provides that the Variation takes effect on the date after it is registered.

Section 3 specifies that the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997 is amended as set out in the first schedule.

Schedule 1 Amendments

Item 1 sets out a change to Schedule 2 of the Plan. The change inserts the two new prefixes (02) 55 and (02) 56 after the prefix (02) 53. Blocks of numbers in these ranges will be available for allocation to carriage service providers for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the prefixes (02) 65 and (02) 66 respectively. The prefix (02) 5550 is expressly excluded because it is specified for use as fictitious numbers.

Item 2 sets out a change to Schedule 2 of the Plan. The change inserts the three new prefixes (03) 40, (03) 41 and (03) 43 before the prefix (03) 44. Blocks of numbers in these ranges will be available for allocation to carriage service providers for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the prefixes (03) 50, (03) 51 and (03) 53 respectively.

Item 3 sets out a change to Schedule 2 of the Plan. The change inserts the new prefix (03) 47 after the prefix (03) 44. Blocks of numbers commencing with (03) 47 will be available for allocation to carriage service providers for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the (03) 57 prefix.

Item 4 sets out a change to Schedule 2 of the Plan. The change inserts the new prefix (03) 61 after the prefix (03) 59. Blocks of numbers commencing with (03) 61 will be available for allocation to carriage service providers for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the (03) 62 prefix.

Item 5 sets out a change to Schedule 2 of the Plan. The change inserts the new prefixes (07) 42 and (07) 44 after the prefix (07) 41. Blocks of numbers in these ranges will be available for allocation to carriage service providers for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the prefixes (07) 40 and (07) 47 respectively.

Item 6 sets out a change to Schedule 2 of the Plan. The change inserts the new prefix (08) 60 before the prefix (08) 61. Blocks of numbers commencing with (08) 60 will be available for allocation to carriage service providers for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the (08) 90 prefix.

Item 7 sets out a change to Part 1 of Schedule 3 of the Plan. The change inserts the new prefix (08) 66 after the prefix (08) 65. Blocks of numbers commencing with (08) 66 will be available for allocation to carriage service providers for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the (08) 96 prefix.

[1] NAC membership is drawn from the telecommunications industry, business and consumer groups, customer equipment suppliers and government agencies.

Overview

The Telecommunications Numbering Plan Amendment 2005 (No.4) was enacted to address the problem of number exhaustion in certain areas of Australia, ensuring an adequate supply of telephone numbers for telecommunications services. This amendment was introduced by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) under the authority of the Telecommunications Act 1997. The primary policy objective is to maintain a competitive telecommunications market and ensure that telephone users have continued access to services they require. As geographic numbers are critical for local services, the amendment specifies new number ranges to meet the growing demand in areas facing number shortages. This includes introducing new prefixes in regional New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia to provide sufficient numbers for medium- to longer-term use. The ACMA consulted with the Numbering Advisory Committee and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission before making the amendment, which was endorsed by the Office of Regulation Review.

Scope and Application

The Telecommunications Numbering Plan Amendment 2005 (No. 4) pertains to the allocation of telecommunications numbers in Australia, specifically addressing the need to provide additional number ranges in certain regions due to impending exhaustion of existing number allocations. This amendment applies to telecommunications service providers and customers who require new numbers within the specified areas. The amendment extends the scope of the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997 by introducing new number ranges to ensure a steady supply of telephone numbers to support the growth and competition in local telecommunications services. The new numbers are designated for use in regional areas of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia, as well as the Hobart area. The amendment takes effect upon registration and is designed to facilitate the continued operation and expansion of telecommunications services by preventing shortages in critical geographic areas. Public consultation was conducted, involving the Numbering Advisory Committee and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, with no objections raised against the proposed changes. The amendment does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, nor does it detail any thresholds that would restrict its application.

Key Provisions

The Telecommunications Numbering Plan Amendment 2005 (No. 4) (the Amendment) introduces new number ranges to address the issue of number exhaustion in several regions across Australia. This Amendment, which takes effect on the date it is registered, is made under the authority of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (the Act) and specifically amends the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997 (the Numbering Plan) as set out in the Schedule. The key provisions involve the introduction of new prefixes to provide additional telephone numbers in areas experiencing high demand. Section 3 of the Amendment specifies the changes to the Numbering Plan, with the most significant modifications detailed in Schedule 1. This schedule includes the insertion of new prefixes, such as (02) 55 and (02) 56 for regional New South Wales, (03) 40, (03) 41, (03) 43, and (03) 47 for regional Victoria, (03) 61 for the Hobart area, (07) 42 and (07) 44 for regional Queensland, and (08) 60 and (08) 66 for regional Western Australia. These new prefixes are intended to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of telephone numbers to meet the growing demand in these areas. The Amendment imposes specific obligations on the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the body responsible for overseeing telecommunications numbering. ACMA is required to ensure that the Numbering Plan is adequate to meet the needs of telecommunications companies and consumers. This involves assessing the demand for numbers in different regions and determining which areas are most in need of additional number ranges. Furthermore, ACMA must ensure that the new prefixes are integrated into the existing numbering system in a way that maintains the existing numbering patterns and does not disrupt current services. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Numbering Plan or the provisions of the Amendment could result in legal consequences. While the Amendment itself does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach, any non-compliance with the Act or the Numbering Plan could potentially lead to enforcement actions by ACMA. This might include fines or other penalties as prescribed under the Act. The exact penalties would depend on the specific nature of the breach and the provisions of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

Area of Law: Telecommunications Law
Instrument: Statutory Instrument
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Regulatory Standards

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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