IMEI Check
Checking IMEIs for the Australian and New Zealand Markets
Australia runs a national IMEI blacklist that is enforced by all carriers, and New Zealand devices report separately. Both matter when importing or reselling.
Last reviewed 2026-10-26
Australia's carrier blacklist is enforced nationally: a flagged IMEI will not register on Telstra, Optus or Vodafone AU even with a valid SIM. That makes the check essential for any imported device aimed at the Australian market.
What to check
- GSMA blacklist: the baseline, since Australian carriers report to it.
- Telstra status: Telstra devices sometimes sit outside the standard record set.
- Carrier lock: confirm the device is not tied to Telstra, Optus or Vodafone AU.
- Band support: an imported US model may lack Australian LTE bands, which matters more than the lock for daily use.
New Zealand
New Zealand devices are covered by the combined AU/NZ listings rather than a separate country page. Local networks are lighter on blacklist enforcement than Australia, but the GSMA flag still applies.
Important
Never import a device into Australia without a blacklist check. Once flagged, no commercial service clears a theft report, and the device becomes unsellable locally.Services used in this guide
These are the exact catalogue entries this guide refers to. Prices and turnaround are live.
Open the catalogueFrequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Does a US-blacklisted phone work in Australia?
Usually not — Australian carriers enforce the GSMA flag. Check before importing.
Do Australian devices need a special unlock?
Once released by the carrier the policy is standard. The difficulty is the carrier's own eligibility rules.
Is a New Zealand unlock different?
The records are separate but the mechanism is the same. Use the AU/NZ listings and match the carrier reported.
Related guides
AU / NZ carriers
Australia & New Zealand iPhone Unlock
Australian carriers follow a minimum-period policy for eligible devices, and New Zealand devices report separately. This page covers the AU and NZ listings, including unlock codes for Android.
GSMA blacklist
GSMA Blacklist Check: Buying a Used Phone Safely
A GSMA blacklist entry is the difference between a working phone and a device that loses signal anywhere in the world. Here is what the flag means, how it is raised, and whether it can be removed.
SIM lock status
Check iPhone SIM Lock Status by IMEI
A five-minute procedure to find out which carrier an iPhone is locked to, before you buy an unlock service — or before you buy the phone at all.
Model lookup
Phone Model, TAC and Launch Date Lookup
The first eight digits of an IMEI are the TAC — the model code. Decoding it gives you the brand, model and approximate launch window without touching the device.