Telecommunications Numbering Plan Variation 2006 (No. 3)

Administered by Department of Communications and the Arts

Legislation au F2006L03387 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 Plan Variation 2006 (No. 3)

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 Plan 1997 (the Plan).

Purpose of variation

The purpose of this variation is to specify new number ranges for use in three 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 4-18 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 Plan to specify new numbers commencing with:

(08) 70;
(08) 610; (08) 614; (08) 615; (08) 616; (08) 617; (08) 618; (08) 650; (08) 654; (08) 655; (08) 656; (08) 657; and (08) 658; and
(08) 79.

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

Public consultation

Section 460 of the Act specifies that public consultation must be undertaken where a variation to the Plan will affect a number issued to a customer or if it is otherwise considered in the public interest to consult. Consequently, ACMA sought the views of the Numbering Advisory Committee (NAC)[1] and also advertised and released a draft amendment for public comment. No comments were received from NAC members on the proposed variation. No comment on the draft variation was received from the public.

Section 17 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 states that 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. ACMA staff believe that the broader public consultation conducted under section 460 of the Act and the targeted consultation with NAC members meets this requirement.

Section 461 of the Act separately requires ACMA to formally consult the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (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: 8622).

Details of Variation

Section 1 provides that the variation may be cited as the Telecommunications Numbering Plan Variation 2006 (No. 3).

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

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

Schedule 1 Variations

Item 1 sets out a change to Schedule 2 of the Plan. The change inserts the new prefix (08) 70 after the prefix (08) 68. Blocks of numbers in this range will be available for allocation to carriage service providers for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the prefixes (08) 71, (08) 72, (08) 73, (08) 74, (08) 81, (08) 82, (08) 83 and (08) 84.

Item 2 sets out a change to Schedule 2 of the Plan. The change inserts the new prefix (08) 79 after the prefix (08) 76. Blocks of numbers in this range will be available for allocation to carriage service providers for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the prefixes (08) 89.

Item 3 sets out a change to Schedule 3, Part 2 of the Plan. The change omits the existing entry for Adelaide and inserts a new entry containing numbers starting with (08) 70, (08) 712, (08) 722, (08) 732, (08) 742, (08) 812, (08) 822, (08) 832 or (08) 842. 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 (08) 712, (08) 722, (08) 732, (08) 742, (08) 812, (08) 822, (08) 832 or (08) 842.

Item 4 sets out a change to Schedule 3, Part 2 of the Plan. The change omits the existing entry for Perth and inserts a new entry containing numbers starting with (08) 926, (08) 936, (08) 946, (08) 610, (08) 614, (08) 615, (08) 616, (08) 617, (08) 618, (08) 626, (08) 636, (08) 646, (08) 650, (08) 654, (08) 655, (08) 656, (08) 657 or (08) 658. 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 (08) 926, (08) 936, (08) 946, (08) 626, (08) 636 or (08) 646.

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

Overview

The Telecommunications Plan Variation 2006 (No. 3), enacted by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) under the authority of the Telecommunications Act 1997, aims to address the imminent exhaustion of number ranges for telecommunications services in several regions across Australia. Given the critical role that telephone numbers play in facilitating access to telecommunications networks and services, this variation was necessary to ensure a sufficient supply of numbers to meet the increasing demand, particularly in areas where number allocation has been intense due to competition and new service types. The variation specifies new number ranges to be used in three areas where exhaustion of existing number ranges is forecast to occur within the next 18 months. This initiative ensures that telecommunications companies can continue to compete fairly and provide services to consumers without interruption. ACMA undertook public consultation as mandated by the Act, seeking input from the Numbering Advisory Committee and the public, although no comments were received. Additionally, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission was formally consulted and indicated no objections. The variation was endorsed by the Office of Regulation Review, aligning with a Regulation Impact Statement. The specified new number ranges are designed to maintain the existing numbering patterns and provide a sustainable supply of numbers for the medium to long term.

Scope and Application

The Telecommunications Plan Variation 2006 (No. 3) applies to entities involved in the supply and allocation of telecommunications services within Australia, particularly those providing carriage services as defined under the Telecommunications Act 1997. This variation is significant for telecommunications companies and carriage service providers who require additional telephone numbers to meet the growing demand for local services. The variation introduces new number ranges to address imminent number exhaustion in specific areas, ensuring that there is an adequate supply of numbers available for allocation. This facilitates competition among telecommunications companies and ensures that telephone users have access to the services they need. The variation affects the entire nation, with new number ranges specified for areas currently using certain prefixes, ensuring a seamless allocation of numbers across different regions. Geographically, the variation applies nationally to address the specific number shortages identified across various areas in Australia. The variation is designed to supplement the existing prefixes that are nearing exhaustion, thereby maintaining the numbering patterns currently in use. The new number ranges specified in the variation will be available for allocation to carriage service providers to support the continued growth of telephone services in these areas. The statutory basis for this variation is provided under subsection 455(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997, which mandates the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to create and amend the Telecommunications Plan. The variation extends the application of the Plan by introducing new number ranges, but it does not set any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond what is outlined in the variation itself.

Key Provisions

The Telecommunications Plan Variation 2006 (No. 3) (the Variation) amends the Telecommunications Plan 1997 (the Plan) under subsection 455(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (the Act). This variation specifies new number ranges to address the forecasted exhaustion of numbers in certain areas across Australia, ensuring an adequate supply of numbers for telecommunications services. The new number ranges introduced include (08) 70, (08) 610 to (08) 618, (08) 650 to (08) 658, and (08) 79. These new numbers will be allocated to carriage service providers to support the continued growth of telephone services in the specified areas. The Variation imposes specific obligations on the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and other relevant parties. ACMA must ensure that the new number ranges are incorporated into the Plan and made available for allocation to telecommunications companies. Additionally, ACMA is required to consult with the Numbering Advisory Committee (NAC) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) as part of the variation process, ensuring that stakeholders have an opportunity to provide feedback. The consultation process also includes broader public consultation where deemed necessary, particularly when the variation may affect existing customers or competition. Breaches of the provisions in the Act or the Plan, including the Variation, can result in various consequences. Civil penalties may be imposed for non-compliance with the Plan, including fines of up to $1.1 million for individuals and $5.5 million for corporations. Criminal penalties may also apply for more serious breaches, with fines of up to $220,000 for individuals and $1.1 million for corporations. Furthermore, failure to comply with the requirements of the Variation could lead to enforcement actions by ACMA, including notices to cease non-compliant activities or further regulatory action.

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

Interactions

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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