1300 Number vs Local Number: Which Should Your Small Business Use?
Choosing a business phone number in Australia can feel more complicated than it should be.
Should you use a local number with a 07 area code? Would a 1300 number make your business look more established? Is an 1800 number worth the extra cost?
The right answer depends on where your customers are, how much you rely on phone enquiries and how you want your business to appear when someone sees your number.
This guide explains the difference between a local number, a 13 or 1300 number and an 1800 number in plain English.
Quick comparison
| Number type | What customers usually assume | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Local number, such as 07 | You are local, approachable and part of the community | Local service businesses |
| 1300 number | You serve customers nationally and have an established business | National sales or support lines |
| 1800 number | It is free or low-cost to call and customer service is important | High-volume support and enquiry lines |
There is no universally “best” business phone number. Each option sends a slightly different message and comes with a different cost structure.
What is a local business number?
A local number is a geographic number connected to a particular area. For example, a Queensland business may use a number beginning with 07, while businesses in New South Wales commonly use 02.
A local number can be a traditional landline number, a VoIP number or a virtual business number hosted through a cloud phone system.
What does a local number say to customers?
A local number usually feels familiar and approachable. When a customer sees a 07 number, they may assume:
- Your business operates nearby
- You understand the local area
- They are calling a real local office
- It will be straightforward to speak with someone
This can be a strong advantage for trades, clinics, accountants, real estate agencies, retailers and other businesses that mainly serve one region.
A local number can also feel more personal than a national number. For a small business that wants to be seen as part of the community, that local connection matters.
How much does a local number cost?
The cost depends on whether the number is connected to a traditional phone service, a mobile plan or a cloud phone system.
In general, a local number is usually the most cost-effective option for a business with moderate call traffic. You will normally pay a monthly service fee, with outbound calls charged according to your plan. Inbound calls may be included, depending on your provider and package.
A local number also avoids the additional inbound call charges that commonly apply to 1300 and 1800 services. Always check the specific inclusions before choosing a plan.
What is a 13 or 1300 number?
A 13 number is a six-digit number, such as 13 XX XX. A 1300 number is a ten-digit number, such as 1300 XXX XXX.
Both are national, non-geographic numbers. That means they are not tied to one suburb or state in the way a local 07 number is.
A 1300 number can route calls to your office, a team member’s mobile, a laptop or a cloud phone app. You can change where calls go without changing the number customers use.
What does a 1300 number say to customers?
A 1300 number tends to make a business look national and established.
Customers may assume that:
- You serve people across Australia
- You have a dedicated sales or support line
- Your business is organised to handle calls
- You are not limited to one local area
That does not mean a 1300 number is only for large companies. It can be useful for a growing small business that is expanding into other states or advertising nationally.
A 1300 number is also a practical choice if your business wants one memorable contact number across multiple locations.
What do callers pay when calling a 1300 number?
From a landline, 1300 calls are generally charged at a local-call rate or included in the customer’s plan. From a mobile, the cost depends on the caller’s mobile provider and plan.
Many modern mobile plans include calls to 1300 numbers, but this is not guaranteed for every customer. Some plans may charge a separate fee.
For this reason, it is best not to describe a 1300 number as completely free to call. It is more accurate to say that it is designed to be a local-rate service from landlines, while mobile charges vary.
What does the business pay?
The business normally pays:
- A setup or activation fee
- A monthly number or service fee
- Inbound call charges based on call type and duration
- Any cloud phone system or routing costs
The exact cost varies between providers and plans. A 1300 number usually costs more to operate than a standard local number because the business shares some of the call cost with the caller.
For many businesses, that extra cost is worthwhile if it makes national advertising, sales or support easier.
What is an 1800 number?
An 1800 number is a freephone number. Customers calling from a standard Australian landline should not be charged for the call.
Calls from mobiles are usually free or included in many current mobile plans, although customers should still check their own provider’s terms.
What does an 1800 number say to customers?
An 1800 number strongly suggests that customer service is a priority.
Customers may assume:
- The call will be free or low-cost
- The business is national
- The number is intended for support or enquiries
- The business is prepared to handle a high volume of calls
That makes 1800 numbers common for customer support teams, helplines, national service providers, insurers, larger retailers and businesses where phone enquiries are an important part of the customer experience.
What does the business pay?
With an 1800 number, the business generally absorbs the full cost of inbound calls. You will usually pay a monthly service fee plus inbound charges based on factors such as:
- Whether the call comes from a landline or mobile
- The length of the call
- Your provider’s pricing
- Your monthly call volume
- Where the call is routed
An 1800 number can therefore cost more than a 1300 number, particularly when call volume is high.
Before choosing one, estimate how many calls you receive each month and how long those calls usually last. A toll-free number can be a valuable investment if each enquiry is commercially important, but it may not be necessary for a small business with only occasional calls.
Can you keep your number when changing providers?
In many cases, yes. 1300 and 1800 numbers are designed as national inbound services and can generally be ported between telecommunications providers.
Their main advantage is that the number is not tied to one physical office. You can move premises, add staff or change your phone system while continuing to advertise the same number.
Local numbers may also be portable, but geographic numbers can have more restrictions if your business moves to a different area. A mobile number is usually portable between mobile providers, but it does not automatically provide the same call-routing and business phone features as a cloud system.
Ask your provider about portability before signing up, particularly if the number is already printed on vehicles, signage, websites and marketing material.
Which number should your small business use?
Choose a local number if:
- Most customers are in your local area
- You want to look approachable and community-focused
- You want to keep phone costs as simple and low as possible
- Customers already recognise your local area code
- You are a local trade, clinic, retailer or professional service
For many small businesses, a local number is genuinely enough. You do not need a 1300 or 1800 number just to look professional.
Choose a 1300 number if:
- You serve customers across multiple states
- You are building a national brand
- You need one number for sales or support
- You want a number that can be routed to different locations
- You want customers to pay a local-rate equivalent from landlines without absorbing all call costs
A 1300 number is often the balanced option between a local number and a toll-free service.
Choose an 1800 number if:
- You receive a high volume of customer enquiries
- Removing the perceived cost of calling is important
- You operate a support, advice or help line
- The value of each customer makes the extra inbound cost worthwhile
- You want the strongest customer-service signal
An 1800 number is not automatically better. It is best when reducing barriers to calling is a clear business priority.
You do not have to choose forever
A useful option is to run a local number and a 1300 number together on the same cloud phone system.
For example, you could use your 07 number for local customers and your 1300 number for national advertising. Both numbers can ring the same desk phones, laptops or mobile app. You can also create different call flows for sales, support and after-hours enquiries.
This gives you a local presence without losing the flexibility of a national number.
Cloud phone systems can also support features such as call forwarding, business hours, voicemail, call queues and simultaneous ringing. You can learn more about these options on our features page.
Is a mobile-only number enough?
Sometimes, yes.
A mobile-only number may be suitable if you are a solo operator, receive only a small number of calls or work mainly through referrals. It can be a practical starting point for a new business.
However, a mobile number can become limiting as your business grows. Customers may not know whether they are calling your business or your personal phone. It can also be difficult to share calls, manage after-hours enquiries or allow several people to answer the same number.
A local or cloud business number can give you a more professional front door while still allowing calls to reach your mobile.
Make the choice based on your customers
The best business phone number in Australia is the one that matches how your customers see you and how your team handles calls.
Choose a local number when local trust matters. Choose 1300 when you want a national presence with shared call costs. Choose 1800 when removing the cost barrier and supporting a high volume of enquiries are central to your business.
You can also combine numbers on one cloud phone system, so your business can grow without changing the way customers contact you.
Ready to compare your options? Call Cloud Phone Company on 07 5238 8578 or email hello@cloudphonecompany.com.au to discuss the right phone setup for your business.