For an Australian mobile number, write it as 04xx xxx xxx within Australia, for example 0412 345 678. For international format, drop the leading 0 and use +61 4xx xxx xxx , for example +61 412 345 678.

Simple rule

  • Domestic: 04xx xxx xxx
  • International: +61 4xx xxx xxx

Why the area code looks different

Australian mobile numbers do not use a city area code like landlines do; the 04 prefix is the mobile prefix. When writing it internationally, the 0 is removed and replaced by +61, so 0412 345 678 becomes +61 412 345 678.

Example

Use| Format
---|---
Within Australia| 0412 345 678
Outside Australia| +61 412 345 678

TL;DR: Use 04 for local writing, and +61 4 for international writing.