LANDLINE AND FAXES

There are two main telephone service providers in Australia: Telstra and Optus. Both offer similar services including charges for line rental.

Local calls within the same area code are not timed and users are charged a flat fee for each call. Long distance calls and calls to mobile phones are generally timed, and rates vary according to location and the time of day that you call. Service providers offer deals for reducing the costs of these calls.

VoIP telephony is increasingly available, generally through existing Internet Service Providers

A fax line can be arranged easily if there is a second telephone line in the house. If not, it will usually take at least 3-5 days before a technician can install the fax line. You will need to arrange for someone to be at your premises to allow entry for the technician.

Silent or unlisted numbers can be arranged at a nominal cost per month.

Telephone handsets and faxes can be purchased from electrical retailers or leased from Telstra.