Two 1800 systems
1800 Numbers: US and Australia Compared
The United States and Australia both use the 1800 prefix for their national toll-free systems. Same digits, different countries, different networks — and neither number dials from the other.
- US 1800: American toll-free
- Australia 1800: Australian toll-free
- Same prefix, separate systems
US and Australian 1800s
Are US and Australian 1800 numbers the same?
No — they share the prefix and nothing else. Each country runs its own national toll-free system under its own numbering plan, carriers and rules, and neither range is dialled from the other country.
Can I dial a US 1800 number from Australia?
Generally no — US toll-free numbers are domestic to the United States. Use the business's website or a dialable geographic number in international format.
Can I dial an Australian 1800 from the US?
Generally no, for the same reason — the Australian range is domestic. The workaround route is set out in our calling-an-Australian-1800-from-the-US guide.
Which 1800 do I need for my business?
An Australian 1800 for Australian customers — free for callers from fixed lines, plans from $10 a month. For US customers, a US toll-free number from a US provider.
The 1800 prefix is one of the world's most reused toll-free markers, and two of the systems using it are the United States' and Australia's. The digits are identical; the systems are entirely separate — different numbering plans, carriers, pricing and rules — and the confusion between them generates a steady stream of failed calls. This page separates the two.
The US 1800 system
American 1800 numbers are US domestic toll-free lines: issued under the North American numbering arrangements, free to callers dialling from within the United States on most carriers, funded by the receiving business under its US service. A US 1800 rings in the US — and only in the US. Dialled from Australia, it will generally fail, because the US range is published for domestic dialling.
The Australian 1800 system
This site's product: Australian 1800 numbers under the Australian numbering plan — ten digits, free for callers from Australian fixed lines, funded by the business on plans from $10 a month. An Australian 1800 rings in Australia, and only there; dialled from the US, it fails at the network. The full workaround for US-based callers is in calling an Australian 1800 number from the US.
Which one do you need?
Follow the customers:
- Customers in Australia: an Australian 1800 number — search the available 1800 numbers pool and connect one today.
- Customers in the US: a US toll-free number from a US provider; no Australian provider can issue one.
- Customers in both: both numbers, each labelled with its country on your contact page — the standard two-door pattern. The mechanics of the Australian door are in how 1800 numbers work in Australia, and the product overview at 1800 numbers.
The Australian 1800
Get an Australian 1800 number from $10 a month
Toll-free for Australian callers — answered on the phones you already use.