1300 numbers are paid partly by the caller and partly by the business and suit companies wanting a single national number. 1800 numbers are free for the caller and suit customer service focused businesses. Local geographic numbers suit businesses wanting to appear rooted in a specific community or region.
1300 Numbers
A 1300 number is a good fit for businesses operating across multiple areas who want one consistent number nationwide. Call costs are shared between the caller and the business, depending on the caller’s plan. That shared cost model makes 1300 numbers a practical middle ground when you want a national presence without making every inbound call completely free for the caller.
1800 Numbers
An 1800 number is free for the caller to dial, which can encourage more enquiries. That matters most for service-based or support-heavy businesses where removing any cost barrier to calling can make a real difference to how many people pick up the phone. You pay for the inbound calls, so it is worth matching an 1800 number to a clear customer service goal.
Local Geographic Numbers
Numbers tied to a specific area code can help a business appear locally established and trustworthy to customers in that region. That local signal matters for businesses that rely on reputation and community presence, such as trades, clinics and neighbourhood retailers. Many customers still prefer calling a familiar local prefix when they want to deal with someone nearby.
1300 vs 1800 vs Local at a Glance
| 1300 | 1800 | Local | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who pays to call | Shared between caller and business | Usually free for the caller | Standard local or mobile rates for the caller |
| Best fit | Multi-area businesses wanting one national number | Customer service and support-heavy teams | Businesses that want a strong local presence |
| Customer signal | National and consistent | Easy and low-friction to call | Locally established and familiar |
Whichever number type you choose, features like call routing, voicemail and mobile apps sit on top of the number itself. You can see what is included on our features page, and current pricing is on our prices page. Already have a number you want to keep? Here’s how long number porting takes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one type of number?
Yes. Many businesses run a local number alongside a 1300 or 1800 number, routing all of them into the same call flow so customers can reach you whichever number they already know.
Does the number type affect call quality?
No. The number type is separate from call quality, which depends on your underlying phone system and internet connection rather than whether the number is 1300, 1800 or local.
Not Sure Which Fits Your Business?
We can help you weigh up which number type, or combination, makes the most sense for how customers find and call you. Book a 15-Minute Chat with us.
