So, how much does your free call really cost? For every landline in Australia there are 2.4 mobile phones, yet mobile phone users are being stung financially for dialing what they believe are free call numbers.

As most people will have experienced, calling government services, such as Centrelink and Medicare, or a telecom and utility company can often result in a lengthy time “on hold”. Lured into a fall sense of security that dialing the 1300 or 1800 number provided is a free call, it is often only the time wasted which results in frustration. However, the Australian Communication and Media Authority(ACMA) has revealed that an eight minute “free call” to a 1300 number actually costs mobile users approximately $7.50 and has called on leading bodies to stand up against unjust charges.

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), the Australian Council for Social Security (ACOSS) and The Australian Financial Counselling and Credit Reform Association (AFCCRA) have joined forces with ACMA to lodge Australia’s first ever super-complaint. As is often the case, it is those who can least afford high call costs who are being hit the hardest. Those calling Centrelink to enquire about payments or a telecom company to query a bill are often left on hold for several minutes and can use up their pre-paid mobile credit before their call is answered.

The groups have requested changes to the current Numbering Plan to include calls from mobiles or changes to telcos billing processes to allow mobile users free access to 1300 numbers which would normally be free from a landline and 1800, where the call charges are picked up by the call receiver when made from a landline. Suggestions include a new number range for mobile callers could be created to make access to vital services free for all.

Do you understand the costs involved for calling freecall (1300) or freephone (1800) numbers? Have you been hit by an unexpected bill for accessing vital services from a mobile?

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