Area Code 262 – Canberra
The phone area code for Canberra is 262 (international format +61262). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 262
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Canberra
Overview of Area Code 262
Area code 262 is a geographic numbering plan area within the Australian public switched telephone network (PSTN), allocated under the national numbering plan administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). It serves the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and its surrounding regions, with Canberra as the principal city. The code is part of the +61 international dialing prefix, and when dialed domestically, it is expressed as (02) 62xx xxxx.
Geographic Coverage and Jurisdiction
The 262 area code covers the entire ACT, including the national capital Canberra and its suburbs, as well as nearby towns in New South Wales that fall within the Canberra statistical division, such as Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra. The region is the seat of the Australian federal government, hosting numerous national institutions, embassies, and public service offices. The code is administered by the ACMA and is assigned to both incumbent carriers and competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) for fixed-line services.
Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions
For local callers within Australia, the number is dialed as a full national significant number (NSN) with the trunk prefix 0: (02) 62xx xxxx. For example, to call a number in Canberra from Sydney, you would dial 02 6200 0000. For international callers, the format is +61 2 6200 0000, omitting the leading zero of the trunk prefix. When dialing from a mobile phone within Australia, the same national format applies. It is important to note that area code 262 is part of the larger 02 geographic numbering region, which also includes Sydney (2) and other parts of New South Wales. However, 262 is specifically assigned to the ACT and its immediate environs.
Overlay and Numbering Considerations
Currently, there is no overlay code for the 262 area; the ACT is served solely by this code. However, due to increasing demand for telecommunication services, the ACMA periodically reviews numbering resources. As of the latest updates, no overlay is planned, but subscribers should be aware that number portability allows customers to retain their 262 numbers when switching service providers, as long as they remain within the same geographic area. This ensures that the geographic significance of the code is maintained.
Practical Usage and Examples
When providing a Canberra number to an international contact, always use the full international format: +61 2 6200 0000. For domestic callers outside the 02 region, dial 02 6200 0000. For callers within the 02 region (e.g., from Sydney), dialing the same number without the 02 trunk prefix is not possible; the full national number must be used. This is a common point of confusion, but the Australian numbering plan requires the trunk prefix for all calls, including local calls, since the introduction of 8-digit local numbers.