Switching mobile carriers in Australia is simpler than many people think. Your mobile number belongs to you — not your carrier — and you have a legal right to take it with you when you switch.
What is number porting?
Number porting (officially called Mobile Number Portability, or MNP) is the process of transferring your existing mobile phone number from one carrier to another. It's free, fast and your old number stays exactly the same — your contacts don't need to update anything.
Number porting is governed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the industry porting code, which ensures carriers handle transfers promptly and correctly.
Step-by-step guide to porting your mobile number
- Choose your new carrier and plan. Compare plans and sign up. When prompted, indicate that you want to keep your existing number.
- Provide your number porting details. You'll need your existing mobile number, your full name (as it appears on the account), your date of birth, and sometimes your account number or the last four digits of your existing SIM card.
- Receive your new SIM. If it's not an eSIM, wait for the physical SIM to arrive in the mail (1–3 business days) or purchase one at a store.
- Activate your new SIM. Follow the new carrier's activation instructions. Specify that you're porting your number (not getting a new one).
- Wait for the port to complete. This happens automatically, usually within 2 business hours on a weekday. You may notice a brief outage when it switches over.
- Cancel your old plan. Once porting is confirmed, contact your old carrier to cancel the account. Note any final bill charges or exit fees.
Important: Do not cancel your old service before porting is complete. If you close your old account first, you will lose your number permanently and cannot recover it.
What information you need to port
| Information required | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Your mobile number | Already know it |
| Full name on the account | Your old carrier's app or bill |
| Date of birth | For identity verification |
| Account number (sometimes) | Your old carrier's app or bill |
| SIM serial number (sometimes) | Printed on your SIM card |
If your port doesn't go through
Ports occasionally fail due to mismatched details (name or date of birth not matching the old account exactly). If your port fails, your old service will continue and you'll receive an error notification. Check the details you provided and try again, or call your new carrier for assistance.
If a port takes longer than 4 hours during business hours without explanation, contact your new carrier. Under the industry porting code, carriers are required to complete consumer ports within specified timeframes. Persistent problems can be escalated to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO).
Frequently asked questions
How long does mobile number porting take in Australia?
Will I lose service during the port?
Can I port a prepaid number to a postpaid plan?
What if I'm still under contract with my old carrier?
What is a PAC code and do I need one in Australia?
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