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A guide to porting your mobile number

Changing providers doesn’t mean losing your number. Here’s how to keep your existing one.

Sam Baran
Sam Baran

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Porting your mobile number is simply the process of taking your existing number to a new service with a new mobile provider. "Porting" is basically the same as transferring, where you get to keep your original phone number and take it either to a different network or a different provider.

How to keep your mobile number

Keeping your number when you switch plans is easy. Here's how.

one Find a plan and don't cancel your old one

Compare mobile plans or identify the one you want. Don't cancel your existing plan until your number has been safely ported, or you'll lose it.

Two Activate your new plan

Once you have your SIM from online or in-store, activate it. During this process, let them know you want to keep your old number and they'll handle the transfer for you.

Three Cancel your old plan after porting

If you've moved your existing number over, your old plan should cancel automatically. Alternatively, you can safely cancel your old plan by letting your previous provider know.

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How long does it take to port a mobile number?

Porting your mobile number should never take more than two days, in almost all cases. For many customers, the transfer will be done in a matter of hours.

The standard hours of number porting are:

  • Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm
  • Saturday, 10am-6pm

Note that number porting won't take place outside of the standard hours above. Porting is also paused during public holidays.

What is required to port a number?

Australian consumer law guarantees that you can transfer your number to a new provider no matter what. Here's what is involved in the process:

  1. Activate your new mobile SIM, indicating that you're porting a number.
  2. Your new provider will likely request a valid ID to verify your identity.
  3. Your old provider will ask for confirmation that you've requested a number transfer, and you'll need to authorise it.
  4. Your number should be transferred successfully to your new account.

What if the names on my mobile accounts don't match?

For porting a mobile number, the account name shouldn't matter at all. Account verification is done using account numbers on a postpaid plan, and dates of birth on a prepaid plan. If you're trying to transfer ownership of a number, you shouldn't have a problem so long as the number's previous owner authorises the transfer.

Can I use my old SIM while porting?

You should be able to use your old SIM all the way up until the moment the number port has been completed. Once the port is finished, you'll no longer get service on your old SIM and it's time to switch over to your new SIM.

You'll be able to use your phone throughout the porting process, since the basic functions of your phone will still work without service – you just won't be able to make calls, send texts or use mobile data if the current SIM isn't active.

What to do after porting your number

Once you've transferred a number over from one account to another, your old service should cancel automatically, though you can contact your previous provider to make sure. You will probably still receive one or two bills to finalise your account, and if you're on a contract you'll have to settle any fees if you've exited it early.

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Name Product Features Data Price
Monthly winner: Data
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Moose 15.80 6GB 1 Month
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  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
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Circles.Life 20GB for $28 SIM-only Monthly Plan
SIM-Only - Postpaid
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  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
50GB
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$22
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$22
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Moose 23.80 20GB 1 Month
SIM-Only - Postpaid
No contract
  • Pay $19.80/mth instead of $23.80/mth for 12 months. T&Cs apply. Ends 31 January 2021
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
20GB
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$19.80
per month
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$19.80
per month
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Circles.Life 8GB for $18 SIM-only Plan
SIM-Only - Postpaid
No contract
  • New customers get over 20% off for 12 months - pay $14/mth, then $18/mth onwards. T&Cs apply. Ends 01.03.2021, 9pm AEDT
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
8GB
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$14
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gomo 4G Subscription $25 18GB 30 Days
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TPG Super Value Small 8GB $19.99 1 Month
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Dodo Mobile SIM-only 36GB $30 1 Month
SIM-Only - Postpaid
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  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
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$30
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Optus Prepaid Epic Data $30 28 Days
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SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
35GB
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$30
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35GB
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New customers only. After 3rd recharge, $30 recharge gives you 10GB standard data. T&Cs apply.
$30
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TPG Super Value Large 40GB $29.99 1 Month
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • New customers pay $15/month for the first 3 months, then $29.99/month.
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Frequently asked questions

What does porting your phone number mean?

"Porting" your number means transferring it from one mobile phone plan to another, so that you can keep your current mobile number, even if you switch providers.

How can I check my porting status?

There's no real way to check where you are in the porting process. Generally, you'll be notified when the process starts and again when it's all finished.

Does porting your number cancel a service?

Yes. Porting your number from one service to another will lead to the automatic cancellation of the previous plan and service you're coming from.

Can I port my number from a postpaid plan to a prepaid plan?

Absolutely. Numbers can be ported between any kind of mobile service.

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4 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    FaySeptember 14, 2018

    I already have a mobile phone, with no service and I am finding it difficult to get the right plan for me. 1).I can pay up to $50 per month. 2) need unlimited national calls. 3) Have access to internet.

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      JohnSeptember 14, 2018Staff

      Hi Fay,

      Thank you for leaving a question.

      While we do not provide specific product recommendations, we can help guide you through the process of comparing options. Please click on this link for you to be able to check the plans available for comparing. The page can also be filtered further by company, cost, usage type and others for your convenience. Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Reggie

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    DenDecember 14, 2016

    An important consideration in selecting a provider is if international roaming is available, and in what countries. I go overseas each year.

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      MayDecember 14, 2016Staff

      Hi Den Den,

      Thanks for your question.

      Global roaming service varies widely among the service providers in Australia. Some of the providers we’ve listed that offer this service are listed on this page. On the same page, you will find the rates they charge for a specific destination/country.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      May

      Reply
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