Tennant Creek: landline numbers and carriers
Tennant Creek is one of the town-level numbering areas the ACMA register uses under area code 08 (SA, WA & NT). The register lists 32 number blocks for it with about 40,000 allocated numbers, held by 18 carriers and spread over the 0879… and 0889… dialling prefixes. That makes Tennant Creek the 104th largest of 640 numbering areas under 08 by block count, with 0.14% of the area code's allocated numbers. A landline that calls you from one of these blocks was issued for the Tennant Creek area — though the line may since have been ported, and caller ID can be spoofed.
Source: ACMA register, data as of 16/10/2026
Where Tennant Creek is
- State or territory
- The Northern Territory
- Council area
- Barkly
- Local time
- — ACST, UTC+9:30, no daylight saving
- Number format
- 08 79xx xxxx; from overseas +61 8 79xx xxxx
- Nearest numbering areas
- Tablelands (Ext) (128 km), Davenport (Ext) (155 km), Elliott (NT) (244 km), Tanami (Ext) (385 km), Victoria River (Ext) (439 km)
Locality, council and state: ABS ASGS Edition 3 (CC BY 4.0). Distances are straight-line between localities.
How Tennant Creek was numbered
The oldest block in Tennant Creek was allocated on 30 June 1991 and is held today by TELSTRA LIMITED; the newest on 19 August 2026 to SYMBIO NETWORKS PTY LTD. Most of the area's blocks — 6 of 32 — date from 2005–2009, but allocations here span 35 years. 28 of the blocks are the standard 1,000-number size. 6 allocated blocks have changed hands since they were first issued: the register still names AAPT LIMITED, ENGIN PTY LIMITED, GOTALK LIMITED, IPTEL PTY LIMITED, IVOX PTY LTD and TWILIO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD as original allocatees of blocks now held by other carriers.
| Period | Blocks allocated |
|---|---|
| 1990–1994 | 3 |
| 2000–2004 | 3 |
| 2005–2009 | 6 |
| 2010–2014 | 6 |
| 2015–2019 | 4 |
| 2020–2024 | 6 |
| 2025–2029 | 4 |
The carriers in Tennant Creek
Tennant Creek is spread across carriers: TELSTRA LIMITED leads with 27.5% of allocated numbers ahead of SYMBIO NETWORKS PTY LTD on 15%, and 18 carriers hold blocks in total. TELSTRA LIMITED has the longest tenure, with a block dated 30/06/1991; SYMBIO NETWORKS PTY LTD received the newest, on 19/08/2026. SYMBIO NETWORKS PTY LTD (3), SOUL PATTINSON TELECOMMUNICATIONS PTY LIMITED (1) and PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS PTY LIMITED (1) hold blocks originally allocated to another carrier.
| Carrier | Blocks | Numbers | Share | First block | Latest block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TELSTRA LIMITED | 6 | 11,000 | 27.5% | 30/06/1991 | 06/09/2011 |
| SYMBIO NETWORKS PTY LTD | 6 | 6,000 | 15% | 24/06/2005 | 19/08/2026 |
| SOUL PATTINSON TELECOMMUNICATIONS PTY LIMITED | 2 | 4,000 | 10% | 30/03/2000 | 14/07/2016 |
| PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS PTY LIMITED | 3 | 3,000 | 7.5% | 24/12/2004 | 03/02/2012 |
| NETSIP PTY LTD | 2 | 2,000 | 5% | 14/02/2018 | 26/10/2021 |
| OPTUS MOBILE PTY LIMITED | 1 | 2,000 | 5% | 07/10/2007 | 07/10/2007 |
| ADARGA PTY LTD | 1 | 1,000 | 2.5% | 16/09/2025 | 16/09/2025 |
| AGILE PTY LTD | 1 | 1,000 | 2.5% | 03/04/2007 | 03/04/2007 |
| C2A INTERNET.COM.AU PTY. LTD. | 1 | 1,000 | 2.5% | 13/07/2023 | 13/07/2023 |
| CHECK TECHNOLOGY GROUP PTY LTD | 1 | 1,000 | 2.5% | 31/01/2022 | 31/01/2022 |
| CHIME COMMUNICATIONS PTY LTD | 1 | 1,000 | 2.5% | 14/07/2004 | 14/07/2004 |
| LMGPS LTD | 1 | 1,000 | 2.5% | 23/11/2023 | 23/11/2023 |
| NETERA PTY LTD | 1 | 1,000 | 2.5% | 24/10/2025 | 24/10/2025 |
| OPTUS NETWORKS PTY LIMITED | 1 | 1,000 | 2.5% | 15/06/2005 | 15/06/2005 |
| PIPE NETWORKS PTY LIMITED | 1 | 1,000 | 2.5% | 24/09/2012 | 24/09/2012 |
| PIVOTEL SATELLITE PTY LIMITED | 1 | 1,000 | 2.5% | 16/04/2025 | 16/04/2025 |
| THE TRUSTEE FOR READING FAMILY TRUST | 1 | 1,000 | 2.5% | 21/10/2019 | 21/10/2019 |
| VIRTUTEL PTY LTD | 1 | 1,000 | 2.5% | 20/12/2015 | 20/12/2015 |
Number blocks registered for Tennant Creek
Every registered block for this area is allocated to a carrier. All 32 blocks, ascending:
| Block start | Numbers | Original allocatee | Current holder | Allocated | Transferred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0879036000… | 1,000 | = | PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS PTY LIMITED | 03/02/2012 | — |
| 0879086000… | 1,000 | IVOX PTY LTD | SYMBIO NETWORKS PTY LTD | 18/06/2012 | 17/06/2014 |
| 0879099000… | 1,000 | = | SYMBIO NETWORKS PTY LTD | 24/04/2014 | — |
| 0879115000… | 1,000 | AAPT LIMITED | PIPE NETWORKS PTY LIMITED | 24/09/2012 | 24/03/2026 |
| 0879174000… | 1,000 | = | VIRTUTEL PTY LTD | 20/12/2015 | — |
| 0879236000… | 1,000 | = | SOUL PATTINSON TELECOMMUNICATIONS PTY LIMITED | 14/07/2016 | — |
| 0879263000… | 1,000 | = | NETSIP PTY LTD | 14/02/2018 | — |
| 0879337000… | 1,000 | = | THE TRUSTEE FOR READING FAMILY TRUST | 21/10/2019 | — |
| 0879350000… | 1,000 | = | ADARGA PTY LTD | 16/09/2025 | — |
| 0879399000… | 1,000 | = | NETSIP PTY LTD | 26/10/2021 | — |
| 0879449000… | 1,000 | = | SYMBIO NETWORKS PTY LTD | 19/06/2020 | — |
| 0879458000… | 1,000 | = | CHECK TECHNOLOGY GROUP PTY LTD | 31/01/2022 | — |
| 0879494000… | 1,000 | TWILIO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD | SYMBIO NETWORKS PTY LTD | 24/09/2020 | 15/10/2020 |
| 0879519000… | 1,000 | = | C2A INTERNET.COM.AU PTY. LTD. | 13/07/2023 | — |
| 0879546000… | 1,000 | = | LMGPS LTD | 23/11/2023 | — |
| 0879573000… | 1,000 | = | PIVOTEL SATELLITE PTY LIMITED | 16/04/2025 | — |
| 0879601000… | 1,000 | = | NETERA PTY LTD | 24/10/2025 | — |
| 0879631000… | 1,000 | = | SYMBIO NETWORKS PTY LTD | 19/08/2026 | — |
| 0879691000… | 1,000 | = | TELSTRA LIMITED | 19/05/2011 | — |
| 0879781000… | 1,000 | = | TELSTRA LIMITED | 06/09/2011 | — |
| 0889096000… | 3,000 | IPTEL PTY LIMITED | SOUL PATTINSON TELECOMMUNICATIONS PTY LIMITED | 30/03/2000 | 01/12/2004 |
| 0889113000… | 1,000 | ENGIN PTY LIMITED | PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS PTY LIMITED | 24/12/2004 | 11/08/2015 |
| 0889177000… | 1,000 | = | PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS PTY LIMITED | 06/06/2005 | — |
| 0889267000… | 1,000 | GOTALK LIMITED | SYMBIO NETWORKS PTY LTD | 24/06/2005 | 13/08/2013 |
| 0889339000… | 1,000 | = | OPTUS NETWORKS PTY LIMITED | 15/06/2005 | — |
| 0889618000… | 1,000 | = | AGILE PTY LTD | 03/04/2007 | 21/11/2011 |
| 0889620000… | 5,000 | = | TELSTRA LIMITED | 30/06/1991 | — |
| 0889630000… | 1,000 | = | TELSTRA LIMITED | 30/06/1991 | — |
| 0889632000… | 2,000 | = | TELSTRA LIMITED | 30/06/1991 | — |
| 0889653000… | 1,000 | = | TELSTRA LIMITED | 31/07/2006 | — |
| 0889910000… | 1,000 | = | CHIME COMMUNICATIONS PTY LTD | 14/07/2004 | — |
| 0889942000… | 2,000 | = | OPTUS MOBILE PTY LIMITED | 07/10/2007 | — |
Numbering areas next to Tennant Creek in the register
Immediately below and above Tennant Creek's blocks in the 0879… and 0889… prefixes sit Noonamah, Batchelor, Ranken River (Ext), Jabiru, Katherine, Simpson (Ext), Yulara, Victoria River (Ext), Arnhem (Ext), Elliott (NT), Pine Creek and Tiwi (Ext).
| Numbering area | First block | Blocks | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noonamah | 0879024000… | 33 | 18 |
| Batchelor | 0879025000… | 29 | 18 |
| Ranken River (Ext) | 0879026000… | 27 | 17 |
| Jabiru | 0879027000… | 31 | 18 |
| Katherine | 0879032000… | 33 | 18 |
| Simpson (Ext) | 0879035000… | 27 | 17 |
| Yulara | 0879043000… | 31 | 18 |
| Victoria River (Ext) | 0879045000… | 29 | 18 |
| Arnhem (Ext) | 0879046000… | 31 | 18 |
| Elliott (NT) | 0879047000… | 27 | 17 |
| Pine Creek | 0879048000… | 28 | 17 |
| Tiwi (Ext) | 0879051000… | 28 | 17 |
Had a call from a Tennant Creek number?
No clear pattern in reports on these numbers yet. If a call worried you:
- Call back on a number you trust
If a caller says they're your bank, the ATO, Services Australia, a courier or your telco, hang up and ring the organisation on the number from its website or your statement, never the number that called you. Caller ID can be faked.
- Report the call to Scamwatch
The National Anti-Scam Centre uses Scamwatch reports to warn others and to get scam numbers blocked. Note the number, the time and what the caller claimed to be. If anyone is in danger, call 000.
- Register on the Do Not Call Register
Registering landlines and mobiles is free and stops most telemarketing calls within 30 days. Charities, political parties, surveys and scammers aren't covered.
- If you lost money or shared details
Call your bank straight away on the number on your card and ask it to stop the payment. Then report it through ReportCyber, which passes cybercrime reports to the Northern Territory Police Force. If your identity documents or passwords were shared, IDCARE's free support service can help you lock things down.
Nationally, Scamwatch recorded $72.5 million lost to scams that started with a phone call in 2025 (down from $107.2 million), with a median loss of $3,800 per report that lost money, and phone-call scam reports are 73.7% below their 2021 level. Telcos blocked 109.3 million scam calls and 45.2 million scam texts in January to March 2026. Sources: Targeting scams 2025 (National Anti-Scam Centre); ACMA quarterly report, Jan–Mar 2026.
Tennant Creek numbers: questions and answers
Where is the Tennant Creek numbering area?
Tennant Creek is in the Northern Territory, in the Barkly council area. The nearest other numbering areas are Tablelands (Ext) (128 km), Davenport (Ext) (155 km) and Elliott (NT) (244 km).
What area code does Tennant Creek use?
Tennant Creek numbers use area code 08. Its register blocks start with 08 79 and 08 89. From overseas, drop the 0 and dial +61 8 followed by the eight-digit local number.
What time zone is Tennant Creek in?
Tennant Creek is on Australian Central Time (ACST, UTC+9:30), with no daylight saving.
Which carriers hold Tennant Creek phone numbers?
The ACMA register lists 18 carriers with allocated blocks in Tennant Creek. By allocated numbers the largest are Telstra (27.5%), Symbio Networks (15%) and Soul Pattinson Telecommunications (10%). A number can since have been ported to another provider.
When were Tennant Creek numbers first allocated?
The oldest block on record for Tennant Creek was allocated on 30 June 1991 and is held by Telstra; the newest on 19 August 2026, to Symbio Networks.
How do I report a scam call from a Tennant Creek number?
Report it to Scamwatch. If you lost money, call your bank first, then report it through ReportCyber, which passes it to the Northern Territory Police Force. Unwanted sales calls go to the Do Not Call Register's complaint form (1300 792 958).
Check a number from Tennant Creek
Scammers spoof local landline numbers to look nearby. Guides: Australian area codes, how caller ID spoofing works.