How to forward calls in Australia: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and TPG
To forward calls on most Australian mobiles, dial **21*, the number you want calls sent to, then #, and press call. Telstra adds *11 before the #. Swap 21 for 61 (no answer), 67 (busy) or 62 (unreachable) to forward only the calls you miss.
Last reviewed: . Codes checked against each carrier's own support page on that date.
What is call forwarding?
Call forwarding (also called call diversion) sends incoming calls on your number to another number. You can forward every call, or only calls you don't answer, calls that arrive while you're busy, and calls when your phone is off or out of range. Your callers still dial your usual number.
Businesses use it to send calls to a colleague, a second phone, voicemail or an answering service. On mobiles you set it with short dial codes or your carrier's app. On landlines and business phone systems you usually use codes, a web portal or the handset menu.
What is the difference between conditional and unconditional forwarding?
Unconditional forwarding sends every call to the other number and your phone doesn't ring. Conditional forwarding only sends calls on when you don't answer, when you're already on a call, or when your phone is off or out of coverage. Each type has its own two-digit code on Australian mobiles.
| Type | Code | What happens | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| All calls (unconditional) | 21 | Every call goes straight to the other number. Your phone does not ring. | When you are closed, on leave or on a job all day |
| No answer | 61 | The call forwards if you don't pick up within the ring time. | Day-to-day cover: you answer first, the service catches the rest |
| Busy | 67 | The call forwards when you are already on a call (and, on some carriers, when you reject it). | Rush periods and back-to-back calls |
| Unreachable | 62 | The call forwards when your phone is off or out of coverage. | Job sites with poor reception, flights, flat batteries |
If you use an answering service, most setups use the three conditional types together: you answer first, and the service picks up what you miss. Switch to all-calls forwarding when you're closed or away.
What are the call forwarding codes for Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and TPG?
All four carriers use 21 for all calls, 61 for no answer, 67 for busy and 62 for unreachable, but the dialling format differs. Telstra adds *11 before the #, Optus adds a ring time, and Vodafone and TPG use the plain format. Replace "number" with the full number, including the area code for landlines.
| Carrier | Turn on (all calls) | Turn off | Check status | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telstra mobile | **21*number*11#(swap 21 for 61, 67 or 62) | ##21# | *#21# | Note the *11 before the #. No-answer forwards after 15 seconds by default. You can also turn all-calls forwarding on by texting CFU ON and the number to 144. |
| Optus mobile | **21*number**20#(code, number, then ring time 05 to 30 seconds) | ##21# | Use the My Optus app | Optus lists two all-calls codes: 21 (your mobile does not ring at all) and 004. You can also set diversions in the My Optus app. |
| Vodafone | **21*number# | #21# | *#21# | Cancel every diversion with ##002#, or all conditional ones with ##004#. |
| TPG mobile | **21*number# | #21# | *#21# | You can also switch each type on or off in TPG My Account. |
Swap 21 for 61, 67 or 62 in any code to set or clear that type. Codes are from each carrier's support page (linked). Some handsets also have a call forwarding menu under phone settings; your carrier may recommend codes instead, as Telstra does.
Worked example: Telstra, forward only missed calls
To send calls to 07 1234 5678 only when you don't answer, are busy or are out of range, dial each of these and press call after each one:
**61*0712345678*11#(no answer)**67*0712345678*11#(busy)**62*0712345678*11#(unreachable)
07 1234 5678 is a placeholder. Use the number you are forwarding to. To check one is on, dial *#61#.
How do you forward a landline, business line or VoIP number?
Most landlines and business phone services support forwarding, but the method depends on the provider. Telstra nbn home phones use dial codes such as *21 for all calls. Business phone systems and VoIP services normally set forwarding in an online portal, an app or on the handset. Ask your provider which applies.
Telstra nbn home phone (from Telstra's support page): lift the handset, dial the code and the number, press #, then hang up.
| Type | Turn on | Turn off |
|---|---|---|
| All calls (immediate) | *21number# | #21# |
| Busy | *24number# | #24# |
| No answer | *61number# | #61# |
Note the landline busy code is 24, not 67 as on mobiles.
Business phone systems and VoIP. Hosted phone systems, PBXs and VoIP apps normally have forwarding, ring groups or after-hours rules in their admin portal. Some let you set different rules for business hours and after hours. The codes in this guide may not work on them, so check with your provider.
1300 and 1800 numbers. The provider that manages the number controls where its calls go, so ask them to change it. Some mobile carriers can't forward to these numbers either: Vodafone says its plans cannot divert to 13, 1300 or 1800 numbers.
Does call forwarding cost money in Australia?
It can. A forwarded call is a second call from your service to the new number, and some carriers charge for it. Telstra includes forwarding on plans with unlimited calls, Vodafone says there's no extra cost in Australia, Optus charges the forwarded leg at your plan's rates and TPG says standard call costs may apply.
| Carrier | Cost of a forwarded call | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Telstra | Telstra says call forwarding is included in all plans with unlimited call allowance. | Check your plan if it does not have unlimited calls. |
| Optus | The incoming call is free; the forwarded leg is charged at your plan's rates on postpaid, or 10c a minute on prepaid. | Optus mobiles cannot divert to an international number on postpaid. |
| Vodafone | Vodafone says there are no additional costs for call forwarding in Australia. | Plans can forward to Australian mobile and landline numbers, not 13, 1300 or 1800 numbers. Prepaid services can only forward to voicemail or Call Catcher. |
| TPG | TPG says standard call costs may apply when a call is forwarded, unless it goes to voicemail. | - |
Business plans and plans with call limits can differ. Check your own plan before you forward high call volumes.
If you forward calls to Vereo, your phone provider may charge for each call it forwards, and when Vereo transfers a caller back to your team, that's an outbound call from us at $0.15+GST/min plus carrier termination. We check your phone plan with you before go-live.
How do you forward calls to an answering service?
Get the forwarding number from your answering service, set conditional forwarding (no answer, busy and unreachable) with your carrier's codes, then ring your own number from another phone to test each case. Keep your existing number on your website and van; callers never see the change.
- Get the number to forward to. Your answering service gives you this at setup.
- Choose your forwarding types. Conditional for everyday cover, all calls when you're closed.
- Dial the codes for your carrier from the table above, or set them in your carrier's app or portal.
- Check they're on with the status code (for example
*#61#on Telstra, Vodafone and TPG). - Test each case from another phone: let it ring out, call while you're on another call, and call with your phone switched off.
- Check your plan for forwarding charges before you go live.
Why isn't my call forwarding working?
The usual causes are a wrong code format for your carrier, a missing area code, an existing diversion to voicemail still set, or a plan that blocks forwarding to that type of number. Check the status code, clear old diversions and set them again, then test from another phone.
- Use the full number, including the area code for landlines, and +61 if your carrier asks for it while you are overseas.
- Check you used your carrier's format: Telstra needs *11 before the #; Optus includes a ring time.
- Clear old settings. Vodafone lists
##002#to cancel every diversion; on Telstra and Optus, turn off each type with##21#,##61#,##67#and##62#. - Prepaid services may not be able to forward to other numbers (Vodafone prepaid can only forward to voicemail or Call Catcher).
- If you still have trouble, contact your carrier. They can see what is set on your service.
Frequently asked questions
How do I forward calls on a Telstra mobile?
Dial **21* then the number you want calls to go to, then *11#, and press call. That forwards every call. Use 61 instead of 21 for no answer, 67 for busy and 62 for unreachable. To turn it off, dial ##21# (or ##61#, ##67#, ##62#).
How do I cancel call forwarding?
Dial ## followed by the forwarding code and # on Telstra and Optus (for example ##21#), or # followed by the code and # on Vodafone and TPG (for example #21#). Vodafone also lists ##002# to cancel every diversion at once.
What is conditional call forwarding?
Conditional call forwarding only sends calls on in set situations: when you don't answer, when you're already on a call, or when your phone is off or out of coverage. Unconditional forwarding sends every call on and your phone doesn't ring.
Does call forwarding cost extra?
It depends on your carrier and plan. Telstra includes forwarding on plans with unlimited calls and Vodafone says there's no extra cost in Australia. Optus charges the forwarded leg at plan rates, and TPG says standard call costs may apply.
How long does my phone ring before no-answer forwarding kicks in?
On Telstra the default is 15 seconds. Optus lets you set the ring time in the code, from 5 to 30 seconds. On other carriers, check your provider's support page or ask them, as the default varies.
Can I forward my business landline or VoIP number?
Usually, yes. Telstra nbn home phones use *21, *24 and *61 codes. Business phone systems and VoIP services normally set forwarding in an online portal, an app or on the handset. Check with your provider, because features and charges vary by plan.
Sources
Codes and costs were read from each carrier's support page on 28 October 2026. Carriers change these from time to time; their pages are the final word.