Malcolm Turnbull has opened his phone book of crossbenchers as the prospect of a hung parliament looms.
Independents Cathy McGowan and Andrew Wilkie confirmed the prime minister had rung them on Sunday morning with congratulations on retaining their seats.
"The fact that he took the time this morning to have a short conversation with me this morning suggests he feels the need to have an open channel of communication," Mr Wilkie told reporters in Hobart.
Ms McGowan said she had a good working relationship with Mr Turnbull.
The prime minister had told her he was confident of forming a majority government.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"We have agreed to stay in contact over the next few days as the national situation becomes clearer," she said.
The Indi MP, who was returned with a bigger majority in her northern Victorian regional seat, wouldn't make deals with any party.
Similarly, Mr Wilkie said he wouldn't do any deals - formal or informal - but instead consider every move in parliament on its merit, including budget bills and confidence motions.
He hadn't heard from Labor leader Bill Shorten, nor had anyone discussed a possible offer of the Speaker's role, which he would reject.
Independent senator Nick Xenophon, whose team has won the lower house seat of Mayo, promised to sit down with both sides if there was a hung parliament.
But he said the number of seats each party won would be a big factor in his thinking, saying: "You would be silly to ignore the weight of arithmetic."
Greens leader Richard Di Natale said neither side had rung him - but his phone was fully charged.
He ruled out doing a deal with the coalition and told reporters in Melbourne he hoped to have talks with Mr Shorten in coming days.
