An Australian number helps when you plan a working holiday or a move to Australia, study there, sign up for Australian websites and apps, or want a second WhatsApp number that keeps your private number to yourself. This guide explains what a +61 number is, how to get one online in three steps, what it costs and how it works together with an Australia eSIM.
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What is a +61 phone number?
+61 is the international country code of Australia. Australian mobile numbers start with 04 when you dial them inside Australia. In international format the leading 0 is dropped, so 0491 570 156 becomes +61 491 570 156. If you see a call or message from +61, it comes from an Australian number.
Does +61 replace the 0 or the 04?
Only the 0. The 4 stays, because it is part of every Australian mobile number. Write +61 4 and then the remaining eight digits. Typing +61 04 is a common mistake and often makes apps reject the number.
Can you get an Australian phone number from overseas?
Yes. A classic Australian SIM card has to be bought from an Australian provider and inserted into your phone. A Simbye number works differently: it is a real Australian +61 mobile number that lives in the Simbye app instead of on a SIM card. You order it online from anywhere, nothing is installed, and your current SIM or eSIM stays untouched. It works on any phone, tablet or computer with internet.
How to get an Australian phone number online in 3 steps
- Choose your term and pay. Open the Australian number page or the Simbye app, pick 30 days, 6 months or 12 months, and decide whether you also want to receive calls.
- Get your number. Your +61 number is assigned right after checkout. You find it in your order confirmation, on your order page and in the Simbye app under "My SIM".
- Receive SMS. Enter the number in WhatsApp, Telegram or any other service. The code appears within seconds in the app and on your order page, ready to copy.
What can you use an Australian +61 number for?
| Use | Works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Registering WhatsApp | ✓ | Choose Australia (+61) and enter the number without the leading 0 |
| SMS codes from Telegram, Signal and other apps | ✓ | Over 200 apps; compatibility may vary by service |
| Sign-ups on Australian websites and marketplaces | ✓ | For services that ask for a +61 mobile number |
| Employers, landlords or friends in Australia texting you | ✓ | Messages appear in the app and on your order page |
| Receiving calls | ✓ | With the calls add-on; calls ring in the Simbye app |
| Making calls or sending SMS | ✗ | The number receives; it does not send |
Some services, banks in particular, decide for themselves which numbers they accept. If one of them asks for a different number, use your regular number for that service.
How to use your Australian number for WhatsApp
- Open WhatsApp and start the registration. To move an existing account, go to Settings, Account, Change number.
- Choose Australia (+61) in the country list and type the rest of your number without the leading 0, for example 491 570 156.
- Open the Simbye app or your order page. The six-digit WhatsApp code appears there within seconds.
- Enter the code in WhatsApp. Then turn on two-step verification in WhatsApp to protect the account with your own PIN.
WhatsApp on a second phone, or WhatsApp Business next to your personal account, works the same way. More tips are in our guide on getting a number for WhatsApp verification.
How much does an Australian phone number cost?
| Term | SMS | SMS and incoming calls |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 10,95€ | 13,95€ |
| 6 months | 52,95€ | 54,95€ |
| 12 months | 93,95€ | 96,95€ |
You pay once for the term you choose. There is no subscription and no contract: the number simply ends unless you renew it. The calls add-on is a one-time extra for the whole term and stays included when you renew.
Which term fits? 30 days works as a temporary Australian number for a holiday or a one-off sign-up. 6 months suits a semester or the first part of a working holiday. 12 months is the lowest price per month if you want to keep the number for good.
Australian number and Australia eSIM: how they work together
A phone number and mobile data are two different things. If you travel to Australia, you may want both.
| Feature | Australian +61 number | Australia eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Phone number | Australian +61 mobile number | None |
| Mobile data | No | 1 to 50 GB or unlimited |
| Network | Not needed | Optus |
| Validity | 30 days, 6 or 12 months | 7 to 180 days |
| Installation | Nothing to install | eSIM by link or QR code |
| Best for | WhatsApp, SMS codes, being reachable on +61 | Internet during your stay |
For a trip, install the Australia eSIM from 1,95€ for mobile data on the Optus network and add a +61 number for Australian sign-ups and messages. Together they give you mobile data and a local number, without a SIM card and without a shop visit.
Your own number vs. public SMS websites
Websites that list "numbers online" share each number with everyone who visits. Anyone can read the codes, many apps have blocked those numbers, and an account registered on one of them can be taken over by the next visitor. A Simbye number is assigned to you alone and is never shared while it is active, so only you see your codes.
How to keep your Australian number
Renew before your term ends, in the Simbye app or on your order page, and you keep exactly the same number. Your WhatsApp and other accounts stay verified, so you never have to switch numbers. If a term runs out without renewal, the number goes back to our pool and can later be assigned to someone else.
Code not arriving? Quick fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The app says the number is invalid | The leading 0 was typed after +61 | Choose Australia (+61) and type the number starting with 4, without the leading 0 |
| No SMS after 60 seconds | The message is still on its way or was not sent | Refresh the inbox in the app or on your order page, then request a new code |
| The number is missing in the app | The app account uses a different email address | Sign in to the Simbye app with the email address from your order |
| A service refuses the number | The service only accepts certain number types | Use your regular number for that service, or ask our support |
Still stuck? Our support team checks your number live in the chat. The Simbye app is available for iPhone and Android.
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Australian phone number: frequently asked questions
What is the country code of Australia?
The country code of Australia is +61. In international format you write +61 and then the number without its leading 0, for example +61 491 570 156.
How can I get an Australian phone number from overseas?
Order an Australian number online from Simbye. Choose 30 days, 6 months or 12 months, pay, and your +61 number is assigned right after checkout. Nothing is installed and you do not need to be in Australia.
Can I use an Australian virtual number for WhatsApp?
Yes. Choose Australia (+61) in WhatsApp, type the number without the leading 0, and the code appears within seconds in the Simbye app and on your order page.
Is it a mobile number?
Yes. You get a real Australian mobile number with the country code +61. It is assigned to you alone and is never shared while it is active.
Do I need a SIM card or an eSIM for an Australian number?
No. Your Simbye number needs no SIM card, no eSIM and no QR code. It works on any phone, tablet or computer with internet, and your current SIM stays untouched.
Can I receive calls on an Australian number?
Yes, with the calls add-on. Incoming calls ring in the Simbye app. Making calls and sending SMS are not included.
Can I keep my Australian number?
Yes. Renew before your term ends, in the Simbye app or on your order page, and you keep exactly the same number. There is no contract, so you only pay when you renew.
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