How to Call Australian Government Offices From Abroad (ATO, Centrelink, Passport Office)
9/5/2026
Quick answer: ATO: +61 2 6216 1111 for general tax and GST questions. Centrelink: +61 1300 169 468, no toll-free version exists. Passport Office: no dedicated overseas line, call DFAT's switchboard at +61 2 6261 1111 and ask to be transferred, or the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre at +61 2 6261 3305 if your passport is lost or stolen while you're abroad.
The pattern across these three
None of these use Australia's domestic "13" number format for their main overseas line, which is good news since 13 numbers don't work from abroad at all. But each has its own wrinkle: the ATO splits by purpose (general versus PAYG withholding), Centrelink has exactly one number with no toll-free option, and the Passport Office doesn't have a dedicated line of its own at all, you go through DFAT's general switchboard instead.
Verified numbers at a glance
| Office | Number (from abroad) | Notes | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATO | +61 2 6216 1111 | General individual tax and GST. PAYG foreign resident withholding: +61 1300 306 105 | Call the ATO from abroad |
| Centrelink | +61 1300 169 468 | No toll-free version, select option 1 or 3 depending on your query | Call Centrelink from abroad |
| Passport Office | +61 2 6261 1111 (DFAT switchboard) | For emergencies abroad, contact your embassy or the Consular Emergency Centre instead | Call the Australian Passport Office from abroad |
Each guide above covers what to have ready and the best time to call for that specific office.
The cheaper way to actually make the call
Government calls tend to involve identity checks and some hold time, and standard international rates apply for the whole call. With DialVia, you call any of these real Australian numbers over Wi-Fi from your browser instead:
- Open DialVia and sign up (about 30 seconds)
- Select Australia as the destination
- Enter the office's number
- Hit call
Frequently asked questions
Which Australian government number is hardest to get right? The Passport Office, since there's no dedicated passport line for overseas callers, you go through DFAT's general switchboard instead, and the domestic appointment line, 131 232, doesn't work from abroad at all.
Do any of these offer a toll-free option from overseas? No, all three are standard chargeable numbers when calling from outside Australia.
Should I call the Passport Office if mine is lost or stolen abroad? No, contact your nearest Australian embassy or consulate, or the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre at +61 2 6261 3305.
Why don't Australia's "13" numbers work from abroad? They're a special domestic call-routing format, similar to the UK's 0800 or Germany's 0800 ranges, that only functions within Australia's own phone network.
Also need an Australian bank's number, or dealing with a UK institution? See our guides for Australian banks and our UK coverage.
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