Area Code 8514 – Roebuck /Sandfire /Tom Price/Telfer/Wyndham/Whaleback /Wittenoom/Wyndham

Overview of Australian Geographic Area Code 8514

Area code 8514 is a geographic numbering allocation within the Australian Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), governed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) under the national numbering plan. This prefix is part of the larger Western Australian (WA) geographic numbering pool, specifically associated with remote and regional localities in the northern and interior parts of the state. The code serves communities including Roebuck, Sandfire, Tom Price, Telfer, Whaleback, Wittenoom, and Wyndham, among others. These areas are characterized by mining operations, pastoral stations, and Indigenous communities, often located in sparsely populated regions with challenging terrain.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 8514 prefix is allocated to the state of Western Australia, which is administered by the WA government. The specific localities span the Kimberley region (e.g., Wyndham, Roebuck) and the Pilbara region (e.g., Tom Price, Telfer, Whaleback). These areas are known for their resource extraction industries, including iron ore, gold, and natural gas. The prefix is used for fixed-line services, including traditional PSTN lines and Voice over IP (VoIP) services that are registered to a physical address within the covered exchange areas. It is important to note that this is a geographic number, meaning that the number is tied to a specific location, which can affect emergency services routing and caller line identification.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For local callers within Australia, the number must be dialed in the national significant format: 08 8514 XXXX. The leading '0' is the trunk prefix, '8' is the area code for Western Australia, and '8514' is the local exchange prefix. When dialing from a landline in the same geographic region, it may be possible to omit the area code if the call is within the same charging area, but for clarity and to avoid misdialing, it is recommended to always use the full national number. For international callers, the number must be dialed as +61 8 8514 XXXX, replacing the leading '0' with the country code '+61'. For example, a typical number might be +61 8 8514 12345 (note: the subscriber number is typically 5 digits in this format, but actual lengths may vary; always check with your service provider).

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest ACMA data, there are no overlay plans for the 8514 area code, meaning that the traditional 8-digit local number format (including the area code) remains in use. However, due to the remote nature of these regions, some services may rely on satellite or wireless local loop technologies, which can affect call quality and routing. Callers should be aware that these areas may have limited network redundancy, and during emergencies, alternative communication methods may be necessary. For businesses operating in these regions, it is essential to ensure that their numbering is correctly registered to the physical location to comply with Australian numbering regulations and to enable accurate emergency call handling.