Area code 03 – VIC & TAS
The 03 area code covers VIC & TAS (the South East charging region). The ACMA register lists 16,909 number blocks under it with about 34.4m allocated numbers, split between 32 carriers across 475 town-level numbering areas. Calls from this prefix normally come from VIC & TAS landlines; the number on your screen can still be spoofed and doesn't prove the location.
03 was Melbourne's code before the 1990s renumbering and became the code for all of Victoria and Tasmania when Australia reduced its area codes to four. Hobart and Launceston moved from the 002 and 003 codes into 03 with local numbers starting 6, and the regional Victorian codes were absorbed with new eight-digit local numbers — the register therefore shows Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and the Tasmanian centres side by side under one prefix.
Source: ACMA register, data as of 16/10/2026
Where 03 numbers are
Matching the register's numbering areas to ABS localities places 460 of the 475 areas under 03: 357 in Victoria, 76 in Tasmania and 27 in New South Wales. The 27 outside Victoria and Tasmania are border exchanges whose numbering area follows the old exchange boundary across the state line: Arumpo (NSW), Balranald (NSW), Barham (NSW), Berrigan (NSW), Blighty (NSW), Caldwell (NSW), Conargo (NSW), Cunninyeuk (NSW), Deniliquin (NSW), Finley (NSW), Jerilderie (NSW), Kyalite (NSW), Lalalty (NSW), Logie Brae (NSW), Mabins Well (NSW), Mallan (NSW), Mathoura (NSW), Moulamein (NSW), Pan Ban (NSW), Pooncarie (NSW), Scotia (Ext) (NSW), Tocumwal (NSW), Tullakool (NSW), Wakool (NSW), Wanganella (NSW), Wentworth (NSW), Womboota (NSW).
Time zones across these areas: Australian Eastern Time with daylight saving: 460 areas.
The carriers behind 03 numbers
The largest block holder is — as in most of the country — the incumbent Telstra with 43.7% of allocated numbers; alongside it, 31 other carriers hold their own blocks, from the NBN-era challengers to VoIP providers.
| Carrier | Blocks | Numbers | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| TELSTRA LIMITED | 1,841 | 15m | 43.7% |
| OPTUS NETWORKS PTY LIMITED | 1,056 | 4.1m | 11.8% |
| SYMBIO NETWORKS PTY LTD | 3,368 | 3.5m | 10.1% |
| SOUL PATTINSON TELECOMMUNICATIONS PTY LIMITED | 1,013 | 2.1m | 6.2% |
| PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS PTY LIMITED | 1,335 | 1.9m | 5.5% |
| OPTUS MOBILE PTY LIMITED | 534 | 1.3m | 3.9% |
| PIPE NETWORKS PTY LIMITED | 636 | 1m | 2.9% |
| NETSIP PTY LTD | 1,036 | 827,000 | 2.4% |
| CHIME COMMUNICATIONS PTY LTD | 526 | 723,000 | 2.1% |
| PIPE INTERNATIONAL (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD | 52 | 422,000 | 1.2% |
| TPG TELECOM LIMITED | 42 | 368,000 | 1.1% |
| VIRTUTEL PTY LTD | 489 | 309,000 | 0.9% |
Showing the 12 largest of 32 carriers with allocations under this area code, by allocated numbers.
How the 03 area code is carved up
The register splits 03 into 475 numbering areas with a median of 30 blocks each; the smallest is Gordon (Ext) with 26, the largest Melbourne with 709. Every numbering area under 03 has at least two carriers holding blocks. Allocations run from 30 June 1991 to 1 October 2026, with the busiest five-year stretch 2015–2019 (3,164 blocks); 3,780 of the 16,909 blocks have changed hands since they were first issued. 700blocks are not in "Allocated" state — surveyed capacity that isn't live.
Across the 40 busiest areas the lead holder is Symbio Networks in 20, Telstra in 16 and Optus Networks in 4; the areas where Telstra is not the largest holder are Geelong (Symbio Networks), Ballarat (Symbio Networks), Launceston (Symbio Networks), Bendigo (Symbio Networks), Mildura (Symbio Networks), Shepparton (Optus Networks), Morwell (Symbio Networks), Cranbourne (Symbio Networks).
| Numbering area | Blocks | Carriers | Allocated numbers | Lead holder | First block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | 709 | 31 | 10.7m | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Hobart | 123 | 19 | 806,000 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Clayton | 116 | 22 | 942,500 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Dandenong | 116 | 22 | 1.1m | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Geelong | 101 | 23 | 577,900 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Ballarat | 99 | 20 | 311,700 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Ringwood | 96 | 22 | 644,100 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Launceston | 85 | 20 | 389,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Bendigo | 81 | 20 | 253,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Croydon | 77 | 22 | 664,200 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Eltham | 69 | 22 | 391,000 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Werribee | 69 | 23 | 303,500 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Sydenham | 63 | 22 | 259,000 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Craigieburn | 61 | 22 | 255,000 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Mildura | 58 | 19 | 157,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Shepparton | 57 | 20 | 188,000 | Optus Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Sunbury | 57 | 22 | 252,000 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Mornington | 53 | 19 | 196,000 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Point Cook | 53 | 23 | 194,600 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Morwell | 52 | 20 | 184,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Cranbourne | 50 | 19 | 148,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Echuca | 50 | 19 | 68,000 | Optus Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Horsham | 50 | 19 | 75,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Wangaratta | 49 | 21 | 103,000 | Optus Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Whittlesea | 49 | 23 | 244,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Warrnambool | 46 | 20 | 95,100 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Devonport | 45 | 18 | 150,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Queenscliff | 44 | 22 | 157,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Traralgon | 44 | 21 | 105,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Kalkallo | 43 | 21 | 163,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Kyneton | 43 | 20 | 50,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Sale | 43 | 21 | 85,000 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Bacchus Marsh | 42 | 19 | 55,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Bairnsdale | 42 | 20 | 74,000 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Warragul | 42 | 20 | 122,000 | Optus Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Kilmore | 41 | 19 | 44,000 | Telstra | 30/06/1991 |
| Gisborne | 40 | 19 | 47,900 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Pakenham | 40 | 18 | 101,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Rosebud | 40 | 19 | 133,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
| Torquay | 40 | 21 | 76,000 | Symbio Networks | 30/06/1991 |
The 40 busiest of 475 numbering areas under 03 — browse them all.
What people check and report about 03 numbers
From searches typed into this site's lookup form since 3 September 2026, and the verdicts and moderated reports visitors left. A check usually follows a missed call.
By day of the week
Busiest: Wednesday (24% of checks)
By hour (Sydney time)
Busiest: 3pm–4pm
Verdicts and reports on 03 numbers: 52 verdicts, 17 reports
Scam 63% (33) · Nuisance 33% (17) · Safe 4% (2)
Report types: Scam attempt (7), One ring, no answer (5), Advertising / telemarketing (3), Survey / research (1).
Latest comments
Most-reported and most-checked 03 numbers
| Number | Verdicts | Reports | People checking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03 7082 6917 | 3 scam | — | 9 |
| 03 9961 2118 | 2 nuisance | — | 22 |
| 03 6185 5930 | 2 scam | — | 16 |
| 03 7057 8097 | 1 scam | 1 | 6 |
| 03 7082 6934 | — | 2 | 6 |
| 03 7057 9606 | 1 nuisance | 1 | 5 |
| 03 7057 9628 | 1 scam, 1 nuisance | — | 4 |
| 03 4232 0619 | 1 scam | 1 | 3 |
Had a call from a 03 number?
Most verdicts and reports on these numbers describe scam calls, so treat an unexpected call as a possible scam.
- 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.
- 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 your state or territory police. 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.
Area code 03: questions and answers
Where is area code 03 used?
03 is the area code for VIC & TAS. Of the 460 numbering areas under 03 this site can place, 357 are in Victoria, 76 are in Tasmania, 27 are in New South Wales. The ones in other states are border exchanges such as Arumpo, Balranald and Barham.
How many numbers and carriers does 03 have?
The ACMA register lists 16,909 blocks under 03 with about 34.4m allocated numbers, held by 32 carriers across 475 numbering areas.
Which carrier holds the most 03 numbers?
Telstra, with 43.7% of allocated numbers, ahead of Optus Networks with 11.8%. The register shows the carrier a block was issued to; a number can since have been ported.
What time zone is a 03 number in?
All placed 03 numbering areas are on Australian Eastern Time (UTC+10, AEDT, UTC+11 in summer).
How old are 03 numbers?
The oldest block under 03 in the register is dated 30 June 1991 and the newest 1 October 2026; 3,780 of the 16,909 blocks have changed hands since they were issued.
How often do people check 03 numbers?
Visitors have checked 1,017 different 03 numbers 1,501 times on this site since 3 September 2026, and left 52 verdicts (33 scam, 17 nuisance, 2 safe) and 17 moderated reports.
Check a 03 number
Range data is not personal data and the number on your screen can be spoofed. Scam calls: Scamwatch. Guides: Who called me from this number?, Which carrier owns which mobile prefix?
“Missed call. Not connected message when trying to return call”
One ring, no answer · 03 7082 6934 · 8 Oct 2026
“Tess from the Australian Research Centre called me too. Same robovoice, same scam. Fast talking AI voice and deeply concerned about the cost of living! Sad news: There is no Australian Research Centre. The number (03)…”
Scam attempt · 03 7075 1970 · 6 Oct 2026
“someone called Ami leaves voicemail wanting to discuss electricity plans”
Advertising / telemarketing · 03 9072 0964 · 21 Sept 2026