Whether you’ve been naughty or nice it’s the kids that count this Christmas, and like previous years Telstra are again offering free calls to Santa but this year they are upping the stakes. Telstra launched the free calls to Santa initiative back in 2021 and over that time has provided 2.5 million calls to Santa accumulating over 6 million minutes of his valuable time. Way to go Santa. This year the program is getting more than a simple upgrade.

Telstra wants you to know that starting today, calls to #HoHoHo (#464646) from any of their 14,000 payphones nationally will get the kids a chat with Santa and yes it is still free and is available now til Christmas Eve.

Christmas 2026 is a little different however. For the first time, siblings or friends can chat to Santa on the same call so wishes can be shared.

With data to show that over half (56%) of Australian kids experience their favourite Christmas traditions with siblings and 42% with cousins, Telstra have now decided to allow those closest to you to share your annual Santa call.

The same research shows 70% of parents nominate Christmas as the time kids argue more than any other time so with sharing (or lack thereof) being a big contributor to the conflict and more than four in ten (43%) parents find keeping kids patient while waiting to meet or call Santa challenging, while almost one in three (29%) struggle to make sure every child gets a fair turn.

Not content with just making the call to Santa more elaborate Telstra have also unveiled Australia’s first family-sized payphone at Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, with overhead speakers so families can hear Santa’s replies and enjoy the call together

As an incentive to not leave these calls to the last minute, any calls made from today til 17 November will generate a $1 donation to Kid’s Helpline, a marvellous service that has assisted tens of thousands of kids over a long period and especially around the Christmas holiday season

So don’t waste a second. Bundle the kids in the car along with siblings, cousins and friends and start getting Santa’s phone ringing