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Porting your mobile number in 3 easy steps

Keeping your current mobile number is easy, with the entire process taking as little as 2 hours.

Key takeaways

  • Porting your mobile number simply means you are transferring your existing number to a new phone provider.
  • It can take up to 2 business days for your number to be ported. However, it can also take as little as 1 to 4 hours.
  • Do not cancel your current mobile plan before your number has been transferred to your new plan.

How do I keep my mobile number?

Before we dive into the steps, there are 2 important things to remember when you're looking to port your number to a new provider.

  • Do not cancel your existing mobile plan before your number has been ported and you've received confirmation. If you do, you could lose your number.
  • Make sure the number is under your name. If it's not, you will need to request a change of ownership first.

To transfer your mobile number to a new plan:

1. Confirm the number is under your name

You won't be able to port your number unless you have ownership of it. If it is, you're good to go.

2. Buy your new SIM

Simply buy your new SIM either online or in-store to begin the activation process.

During sign-up, you'll receive a request to 'keep my existing number' or wording similar to this. Select this option and your new provider will handle the rest.

Good to know: Rules set by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) state that a provider must allow you to port your number to another service if you request this. If your old provider refuses to let you go, you're within your right to complain.

3. Wait for porting to complete

Number porting usually occurs during business hours: 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 10am-6pm on Saturdays.

You can request a port on Sunday, but it will likely take at least one business day to complete.

Most numbers are ported within 1-4 hours to 2 days, though in rare cases, it can take up to a week. Once your new provider confirms the port, your old plan will be automatically cancelled.

Don't forget to settle any final bills.

Is there a fee to port your mobile number?

Most telcos in Australia will let you port your number to another provider for free, however, there are a couple of exceptions.

For example, TPG charges an $11 port out fee if you switch to another provider.

When you're choosing a plan, check its Critical Information Summary (CIS) document, available online, so you're not surprised by any extra fees on your final bill.

Can I use my old SIM while porting?

You should be able to use your old SIM until your number is ported.

There are a few things you should keep in mind:

  • Make sure you've activated your new SIM once your number has been ported. Otherwise, you won't be able to make calls and texts.
  • Once you've received confirmation that your number's been ported, pay off any pending bills with your old provider.
  • Oftentimes, your last bill will be finalised after a few days but you won't be charged extra. That's because your old plan gets automatically cancelled once porting is complete.

If you run into any issues activating your new SIM, you can still browse, stream, and use WhatsApp over Wi-Fi.

Finder survey: How difficult do people find it to switch mobile plans?

Response
Easy52.97%
Somewhat difficult38.2%
Very difficult7.66%
I don't have a mobile phone/mobile phone plan1.17%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1110 Australians, December 2023

Is it free to keep your mobile number?

Generally, it's free to keep your mobile number when switching providers in Australia.

However, some providers may charge a small fee for porting, so be sure to check with your new provider for any potential costs.

Compare mobile plans for a better deal

Haven't decided which plan you're going to transfer your number to? You can check out the latest mobile deals in our comparison table below.

1 - 5 of 317
Name Product AUFMP-SIM Data Price Apply Price
Southern Phone Finder Exclusive
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
$15/mth for the first 6 months, then $29/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 29.11.24
Southern Phone Finder Exclusive
Postpaid
$15/mth for the first 6 months, then $29/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 29.11.24
Exclusive
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 5G/4G network
50GB
$15
per month
Go to site
View details
Exclusive
$15/mth for the first 6 months, then $29/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 29.11.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
50 GB
Data
$15
per month
iiNet Medium Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
$17.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $35/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
iiNet Medium Plan
Prepaid
$17.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $35/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 5G/4G network
50GB
$17.50
per month
Go to site
View details
$17.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $35/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
50 GB
Data
$17.50
per month
Dodo $28 Online Exclusive
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
$14/mth for the first 3 months, then $28/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 30.11.24
Dodo $28 Online Exclusive
Postpaid
$14/mth for the first 3 months, then $28/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 30.11.24
Exclusive
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G network
30GB
$14
per month
Go to site
View details
Exclusive
$14/mth for the first 3 months, then $28/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 30.11.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
30 GB
Data
$14
per month
Belong 40GB
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
Belong 40GB
Postpaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 5G/4G network
40GB
No excess data charges
$35
per month
Go to site
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
40GB
Data
$35
per month
felix Subscription Unlimited
SubscriptionNo lock-in contract
$20/mth for the first 3 months, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
felix Subscription Unlimited
Subscription
$20/mth for the first 3 months, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
Finder Award
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 5G/4G network
Unlimited data
At speeds up to 20Mbps
$20
per month
Go to site
View details
Finder Award
GREEN COMPANY
$20/mth for the first 3 months, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
Unlimited data
At speeds up to 20Mbps
$20
per month
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Frequently asked questions

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Written by

Editor I Tech and utilities expert

Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with 12+ years of experience as a journalist. She's committed to helping households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine. See full bio

Mariam's expertise
Mariam has written 295 Finder guides across topics including:
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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.

      AvatarFinder
      JohnSeptember 14, 2018Finder

      Hi Fay,

      Thank you for leaving a question.

      You can use our mobile phone plans comparison table to help you find the plan that suits you. The page can also be filtered further by company, cost, usage type, and others for your convenience. Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Reggie

    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.

      AvatarFinder
      MayDecember 14, 2016Finder

      Hi Den Den,

      Thanks for your question.

      Global roaming service varies widely among the service providers in Australia. We have listed some of the roaming prepaid providers on our website. Open that link and on the same page, you will find the rates they charge for a specific destination/country.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      May

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