Phone Number Update Checklist

Start here — go to My Account → Profile → Contact details. When you save, myGov will ask which linked services to share the update with. Select Medicare, ATO and Centrelink in that same session. Then log into each service individually afterwards to confirm it came through — it is not automatic and each agency holds its own separate record

Log into Medicare, ATO and Centrelink individually via myGov to confirm the number came through correctly — don't assume the share worked. If any haven't updated, go into that service directly to fix it

State roads authority — update online or in person

aec.gov.au — update electoral enrolment contact details

Australian Passport Office — smartraveller.gov.au

Critical — used for SMS authentication and fraud alerts

Any other accounts held

Each card issuer separately if different from your bank

Log in to member portal or contact fund directly

Phone is often tied to 2FA — update before changing SIM

Buy-now-pay-later accounts

If applicable

If applicable

CommSec, SelfWealth, Sharesies, Stake, Superhero etc. — phone number used for 2FA and account security alerts

CoinSpot, Binance, CoinJar, Independent Reserve etc. — critical to update before switching as SMS-based 2FA is commonly used for withdrawals and logins

Medibank, Bupa, HCF, nib, HBF etc.

NRMA, AAMI, GIO, Budget Direct, RACQ etc.

If applicable

Often held through super or directly with insurer

If applicable

Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Boost, Amaysim etc.

Telstra, Optus, TPG, Dodo, iiNet, Belong etc.

AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia, Lumo, Powershop etc.

State based — Sydney Water, Melbourne Water, Yarra Valley etc.

If renting — update contact details on file

If applicable

Update contact details on your council's resident portal or call directly

auspost.com.au MyPost account

Update patient records directly with the practice

Appointment reminder messages sent to this number

If registered for SMS prescription reminders

Any regular practitioners — physio, psychologist, etc.

Hairdresser, nail salon, beauty therapist, waxing, lash tech, spray tan etc. — your number is stored for appointment reminders and cancellation notices. Easy to forget and easy to miss a booking because of it

Update patient records and appointment reminder contact at your vet clinic

Update owner contact details on the national database — Central Animal Records (CAR), PetAddress, or your state registry (e.g. NSW Companion Animals Register)

Recovery phone number — very important for account access

Password confirmation required — have it ready before updating. Affects device backups, App Store, Find My, and all linked apps

Update account phone number for 2FA and account recovery — do this before switching SIMs. Snapchat and TikTok in particular are a common cause of permanent lockout if the number isn't updated in time

Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Hily etc. — accounts are often tied directly to a phone number for login. Easy to overlook and hard to recover if locked out

1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass, Dashlane — update your account phone number and check any entries where your number is stored as a login or recovery detail

If registered or verified with your phone number — update account settings in each app

Netflix, Stan, Disney+, Spotify, Apple One etc.

Amazon, eBay, Woolies, Coles, Target, Kmart, ASOS etc.

Flybuys, Woolworths Everyday Rewards, One Pass, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Altitude Rewards etc.

Uber, DiDi, DoorDash, Menulog, Uber Eats

Roblox, Nintendo Account (Family Group), PlayStation Family, Xbox Family Settings, Minecraft — parent/guardian number used for verification and parental controls

Review any SMS-based two-factor authentication setups

WhatsApp is tied to your SIM and will prompt you to re-verify when you switch numbers — go to Settings → Account → Change Number to migrate your chats and notify contacts in-app. All other messaging apps (WeChat, Telegram, Signal, Viber) don't update automatically — log in to each and update your registered number manually

Update emergency contact and payslip SMS details

If applicable to your field

ABR / ASIC portals if contact phone is listed publicly

Update contact info on your profile — visible to recruiters and connections

Update all saved versions — Word, PDF, Google Docs — before sending to anyone new

Update account contact details and any uploaded résumés stored on the platform

ZoomInfo, RocketReach, and similar platforms may list your number publicly — search your name and request a data update or opt-out if needed

Let key people know your new number personally

Primary and secondary — emergency contact records, parent portal (Compass, Sentral, Schoolstream etc.), and school communication apps (Seesaw, Compass, Skoolbag) — each may hold your contact details separately

Enrolment records and emergency contact details held by the kinder coordinator

Enrolment forms, emergency contacts, and any childcare app used for daily updates (Storypark, Xplor, Kinderloop etc.)

Football, netball, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, cricket, martial arts etc. — update registration records and team manager / coach contact lists

Music lessons, dance, tutoring, drama, art classes — any instructor or studio that holds your number for bookings or emergencies

Set aside 10–15 minutes to open each app and check whether your phone number is stored in account or profile settings — it's the most reliable way to catch anything not on this list

Scroll back through old text messages — any business that has sent you a confirmation, reminder, or verification code has your number on file and may need updating

Go through your phone contacts and message anyone who needs your new number — family, close friends, tradespeople, neighbours. A simple text is all it takes. See the template below ↓

Put your old number on a low-cost prepaid plan while you work through this list — Amaysim's Pay As You Go plan ($15, 365-day expiry) is ideal for this. It keeps the number alive so you can still receive OTPs, verification codes, and any messages sent to the old number during the transition. Cancel it once everything is updated

Australian telcos reassign old numbers to new customers — sometimes within weeks. Any account still linked to your old number could receive your bank OTPs, private messages, or even money transfers. Completing this list promptly protects you from that risk

Once a year, do a quick sweep of your most important accounts — banking, email, Apple ID / Google — to confirm the phone number and recovery details are still current. A small habit that prevents a big headache