Telecommunications Numbering Plan Variation 2007 (No. 2)

Administered by Department of Communications and the Arts

Legislation au F2007L01428 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 Variation 2007 (No. 2)

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 Plan).

Purpose of variation

The purpose of this variation is to specify additional geographic numbers for:

Camperdown and surrounding area[1]. Numbers commencing with (03) 55 are currently used in this area;
Deloraine and surrounding area. Numbers commencing with (03) 63 are currently used in this area;
Bundaberg and surrounding area. Numbers commencing with (07) 41 are currently used in this area;
West Sector of the Melbourne standard zone unit (SZU), Craigieburn, Point Cook and Sydenham SZUs. Numbers commencing with (03) 83 and 93 are currently used in this area; and
West Sector of the Sydney SZU, Liverpool and Bankstown SZUs. Numbers commencing with (02) 87 and 97 are currently used in this area.

The available numbers in these areas have been identified by ACMA as nearing exhaustion.

The variation also changes all references to the former Australian Communication Authority (ACA) to ACMA.

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.

In determining which number range to specify to supplement the existing prefixes, ACMA considered how to make available additional numbers in a way that would maintain the numbering pattern currently available in the areas in question. To achieve this aim and provide consistency with other areas across regional and metropolitan areas which have already been supplemented, the preferred approach for supplementing the affected areas is as follows:

the new B-digit (03) 45[2] specified for use in the Camperdown and surrounding area;
the new C-digit (03) 67 specified for use in the Deloraine and surrounding area;
the new C-digit (07) 43 specified for use in the Bundaberg surrounding area;
the new B-digit (03) 73 specified for use in the West Sector of Melbourne, Craigieburn, Point Cook and Sydenham SZUs; and
changing the specification of the existing prefix (02) 81 for use in the West Sector of Sydney, Liverpool and Bankstown SZUs.

The specification of these additional numbers will provide sufficient 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[3] (NAC) and also advertised and released a draft amendment for public comment.

ACMA received one comment from a CSP, a member of the NAC, and two comments from members of the public. These comments were considered by ACMA when it finalised the variation.

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 Best Practice Regulation Review (OBPR) has endorsed a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) for this variation and advised that the best practice requirements for a RIS were met.

Details of Variation

Section 1 provides that the variation may be cited as the Telecommunications Numbering Plan Variation 2007 (No. 2).

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 Variations

Item 1-19 sets out changes to references in the Plan to the ACA to ACMA to reflect the name change of the former Australian Communications Authority to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Item 20 sets out a change to Schedule 2 of the Plan. The change inserts the new prefix (03) 45 after the existing prefix (03) 44. Blocks of numbers commencing with (03) 45 will be available for allocation to carriage service providers for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the prefix (03) 55.

Item 21 sets out a change to Schedule 2 of the Plan. The change inserts the new prefix (03) 67 after the existing prefix (03) 64. Blocks of numbers commencing with (03) 67 will be available for allocation to carriage service providers for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the prefix (03) 63.

The change also inserts the new prefix (03) 7 after the new prefix (03) 67. Blocks of numbers commencing with (03) 7 will be available for allocation to carriage service providers for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the prefix (03) 8 and (03) 9.

Item 22 sets out a change to Schedule 2 of the Plan. The change inserts the new prefix (07) 43 after the existing prefix (07) 42. Blocks of numbers commencing with (07) 43 will be available for allocation to carriage service providers for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the prefix (07) 41.

Item 23 sets out a change to Schedule 3, Part 1, of the Plan. The change adds the prefix (02) 81 to the numbers in the West sector of Sydney. Blocks of numbers in this range will be available for allocation to carriage service providers as numbers of local geographic significance for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the prefixes (02) 97 and (02) 87.

Item 24 sets out a change to Schedule 3, Part 1, of the Plan. The change removes the prefix (02) 81 from the numbers that can be allocated in the City Centre sector of Sydney. Blocks of numbers commencing with (02) 81 will no longer be available as numbers of local geographic significance.

Item 25 sets out a change to Schedule 3, Part 1, of the Plan. The change adds the prefix (02) 81 to the numbers in the Liverpool charging zone. Blocks of numbers in this range will be available for allocation to carriage service providers as numbers of local geographic significance for the continued growth of telephone services in areas currently using the prefixes (02) 97 and (02) 87.

Item 26 sets out a change to Schedule 3, Part 1, of the Plan. The change adds the prefix (03) 73 to the numbers in the West sector of Melbourne. Blocks of numbers in this range will be available for allocation to carriage service providers as numbers of local geographical significances in areas currently using the prefixes (03) 93 and (03) 83.

Item 27 sets out a change to Schedule 3, Part 2, of the Plan. The change removes the prefix (02) 81 from the numbers that can be allocated in Sydney. Blocks of numbers commencing with (02) 81 will no longer be available for allocation as broad geographic significance.

Item 28-29 sets out changes to references in the Plan to the ACA to ACMA to reflect the name change of the former Australian Communications Authority to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

[1] In this paper an ‘area’ is the standard zone units, sector or charging districts which share a common number prefix. For example, the Deloraine, Flinders Island, Launceston, Scottsdale and St Mary’s charging districts share the existing prefix (03) 63.

[2] Using the number (0x) 1234 5678, x can be referred to as the A-digit, 1 as the B-digit, 2 as the C-digit and so on.

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

Overview

The Telecommunications Numbering Plan Variation 2007 (No. 2), enacted by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) under the authority of the Telecommunications Act 1997, addresses the imminent exhaustion of geographic telephone numbers in several regions across Australia. The purpose of this variation is to introduce additional geographic numbers in areas such as Camperdown, Deloraine, Bundaberg, and parts of Melbourne and Sydney, where the existing number ranges are nearing depletion. This measure is crucial for ensuring that telecommunications companies can continue to compete fairly and that telephone users have uninterrupted access to the services they need. The variation also updates references to the former Australian Communications Authority (ACA) to reflect the current authority, ACMA. The variation process involved public consultation, in line with statutory requirements under the Telecommunications Act 1997. ACMA sought input from the Numbering Advisory Committee and the broader public, receiving comments from a carrier service provider, the Numbering Advisory Committee, and members of the public. Additionally, ACMA consulted with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which indicated no objections to the proposed variation. The Office of Best Practice Regulation Review (OBPR) has also endorsed a Regulation Impact Statement for this variation, confirming that best practice requirements were met. This variation aims to maintain the integrity of the geographic numbering system by ensuring that new numbers are allocated in a manner consistent with existing patterns, thus preserving the relationship between the number and the geographic area it serves.

Scope and Application

The Telecommunications Numbering Plan Variation 2007 (No. 2) applies to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), telecommunications companies, and potentially any customer or entity requiring a telecommunications number within the specified geographic areas. The variation is intended to address the impending exhaustion of available geographic numbers in several areas by introducing new number ranges to ensure the ongoing provision of telecommunications services. The geographic scope of the variation includes Camperdown, Deloraine, Bundaberg, and parts of Melbourne and Sydney. The variation does not specify any exclusions or exemptions but ensures that the new numbering plan will be applied in a manner that maintains the existing numbering patterns and geographic significance of the numbers. The Act extends its application through subordinate instruments, which provide detailed specifications for the new number ranges and the geographic areas they will serve. This ensures that the new numbers will be allocated in a consistent and predictable manner, facilitating the continued growth of telecommunications services in the affected regions.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Telecommunications Numbering Plan Variation 2007 (No. 2) provide for the specification of additional geographic numbers in several areas across Australia, as outlined in the explanatory statement. Specifically, the variation adds new prefixes to the existing numbering plan to accommodate growing demand for telephone services. For example, the new prefix (03) 45 is introduced for Camperdown and surrounding areas, (03) 67 for Deloraine and surrounding areas, (07) 43 for Bundaberg and surrounding areas, (03) 73 for the West Sector of Melbourne, Craigieburn, Point Cook and Sydenham SZUs, and (02) 81 for the West Sector of Sydney, Liverpool and Bankstown SZUs. Additionally, the variation updates references from the former Australian Communications Authority (ACA) to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) throughout the Plan. The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties it governs primarily involve ensuring that telecommunications companies and service providers comply with the updated numbering plan. This includes the allocation of new prefixes to meet the demand for telephone services in specified areas. Additionally, ACMA is required to consult with relevant stakeholders, including the Numbering Advisory Committee and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, when making variations to the Plan. These consultations are intended to ensure that the changes will not unduly affect customers or restrict competition. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Telecommunications Numbering Plan Variation 2007 (No. 2) can result in various civil and criminal consequences. While the Act does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance with the numbering plan, breaches of telecommunications regulations generally can result in fines, legal action, and other enforcement measures. The severity of these consequences can vary depending on the nature and extent of the breach. For example, significant non-compliance could lead to substantial fines under other relevant telecommunications legislation, such as the Telecommunications Act 1997.

Area of Law: Telecommunications Law
Instrument: Regulation
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Regulatory Standards; Licensing & Registration

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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