Why can't Optus customers call triple-zero?

An ongoing service outage is currently preventing Optus customers from accessing triple-zero emergency services.

Which areas are affected by the Optus outage?

The outage is impacting customers across Brisbane and other parts of Queensland, including major cities like Cairns and the Gold Coast.

What services are down for Optus users?

Home phone and NBN connections are reportedly affected, with the most critical issue being the inability to call emergency numbers.

Home / Technology / Optus 000 Calls Down: 100k Customers Affected

Optus 000 Calls Down: 100k Customers Affected

3 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Almost 100,000 customers cannot call emergency services.
Service disruptions span multiple major Queensland cities.
Home phones and NBN connections are understood to be impacted.

Optus 000 Calls Down: 100k Customers Affected

A major service outage has impacted nearly 100,000 Optus customers, rendering them unable to contact triple-zero emergency services. The widespread failure affected home phones and NBN connections across numerous Queensland locations, including Brisbane, Cairns, Rockhampton, Mackay, Toowoomba, and the Gold Coast. This incident represents a significant challenge for the telecommunications company.

Optus has issued a statement acknowledging the outage, specifically mentioning impacts on customers in Brisbane and other parts of Queensland. The company extended its apologies for the disruption and expressed gratitude for customers' patience. Efforts are reportedly underway by their teams to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible.

The exact number of affected users is not definitively confirmed, but reports indicate that approximately 93,000 homes are experiencing service interruptions. The ongoing situation highlights the critical reliance on telecommunications infrastructure for emergency services and the significant impact of network failures on public safety.