How to Set Up Scam Call Blocking in Australia

Scam and nuisance calls are one of the most wearing parts of modern life. The good news is that you do not have to put up with all of them. Your phone has built-in tools to block and quieten unwanted calls, and the main Australian providers filter out many scam calls before they ever reach you.

This guide explains the practical steps, on both mobile and home phones, in plain English. You can set most of them up in a few minutes. For more ways to protect yourself online, see our complete guide to staying safe online.

Block calls on a mobile phone

When a scam call comes through, you can block that number so it cannot ring you again. On an iPhone, tap the “i” or the number at the top of the recent calls list, then choose Block this Caller. On an Android phone, press and hold the number in your call history and choose Block or Report spam. Scammers change numbers often, so this helps but will not stop every call on its own.

For a quieter phone, you can silence calls from anyone not in your contacts. On an iPhone, this is in Settings under Phone, called Silence Unknown Callers. On many Android phones, the Phone app settings include a similar filter for spam and unknown numbers. Calls from people you know still ring as normal, while strangers go quietly to voicemail, where you can check them later.

Our step-by-step guide on how to block unwanted calls on iPhone shows these settings in detail.

Let your provider help

Australia’s main providers do a lot of this work for you. Telstra, Optus and TPG all use systems that detect and block large numbers of scam calls and texts before they reach customers. Some offer extra call-control features you can switch on through their app or by contacting them. It is worth a quick call or a look at your provider’s website to see what is included on your plan.

Cut down nuisance calls on a home phone

Home phones can be harder, but there are good options:

• Choose a cordless phone with built-in call blocking. Many let you block a number at the press of a button, and some screen unknown callers automatically.
• Ask your home phone provider about call control or nuisance-call features on your line.
• Let unknown calls go to the answerphone. Genuine callers usually leave a message.

Report scam calls and texts

Reporting helps providers and authorities shut scams down. Forward scam texts free to 7726. Report scam calls and messages to Scamwatch online at scamwatch.gov.au. If a call pretends to be your bank, the ATO or a courier, our guide on phone call scams in Australia explains how to handle it.