Porting your mobile number in 3 easy steps

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.

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?

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.

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Updated regularly

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 31.1.25 Southern Phone Finder Exclusive Postpaid $15/mth for the first 6 months, then $29/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.25 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 31.1.25 Unlimited standard national calls & texts 50 GB Data $15 per month Go to siteView details	loading Fetching your data...
Dodo $28 PostpaidNo lock-in contract $14/mth for the first 3 months, then $28/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 25.2.25 Dodo $28 Postpaid $14/mth for the first 3 months, then $28/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 25.2.25	Unlimited national calls & texts Optus 4G/3G network	30GB No excess data charges	$14 per month	Go to site View details	$14/mth for the first 3 months, then $28/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 25.2.25 Unlimited standard national calls & texts 30 GB Data $14 per month Go to siteView details	loading Fetching your data...
Belong 40GB PostpaidNo lock-in contract 60GB/mth for the first 12 months, then 40GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 12.1.25 Belong 40GB Postpaid 60GB/mth for the first 12 months, then 40GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 12.1.25	Unlimited national calls & texts Wholesale Telstra 5G/4G network	60GB No excess data charges	$35 per month	Go to site View details	60GB/mth for the first 12 months, then 40GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 12.1.25 Unlimited standard national calls & texts 60 GB Data $35 per month Go to siteView details	loading Fetching your data...
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	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 Go to siteView details	loading Fetching your data...
Optus Flex Plus $35 PrepaidNo lock-in contract 55GB on first 3 recharges, then 20GB. Plus, unlimited data every weekend with AutoRecharge active. New services only. Speed caps and T&Cs apply. Ends 16.3.25 Optus Flex Plus $35 Prepaid 55GB on first 3 recharges, then 20GB. Plus, unlimited data every weekend with AutoRecharge active. New services only. Speed caps and T&Cs apply. Ends 16.3.25	Unlimited national calls & texts Optus 5G/4G network	55GB	$35 per 28 day recharge	Go to site View details	55GB on first 3 recharges, then 20GB. Plus, unlimited data every weekend with AutoRecharge active. New services only. Speed caps and T&Cs apply. Ends 16.3.25 Unlimited standard national calls & texts 55 GB Data $35 per 28 days expiry Go to siteView details	loading Fetching your data...

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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.

• What if the number isn't under my name?

  If the mobile number isn't under your name, you will need to fill out a transfer of ownership form through your current provider.

  It will require identification documents and consent from both the current account holder and the person taking ownership. Use our guide to transferring ownership to get started.

• 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, it does. Once your number's been successfully ported, your service will be cancelled automatically.

• 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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Written by

Mariam Gabaji

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

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