How much does an AI receptionist cost in Australia?

An AI receptionist has several costs: getting it ready, keeping it running and paying for the calls it handles. A monthly subscription alone is not a useful budget. Ask for a total based on your actual call volume and the work you need completed.

This guide gives you a published Australian price example, the calculation behind a first-year budget and a way to decide whether the expense makes sense. The example is a supplier reference, not a RightLink price or a market average.

A real price example, with the missing pieces included

At the time of research on 9 September 2026, Basic Solutions advertised A$499 setup and A$99 a month, with a number at approximately A$10 a month and incoming calls around A$0.40 per minute. Its guide says usage figures vary with exchange rates and prices exclude GST. Confirm current inclusions directly with the supplier. Source: Basic Solutions’ published pricing.

For an illustrative workload of 200 calls a month, averaging three minutes each:

• Call volume: 200 × 3 = 600 minutes.
• Estimated call charges: 600 × A$0.40 = A$240.
• Subscription and number: A$99 + A$10 = A$109.
• Estimated recurring total: A$349 a month.
• First year: A$349 × 12 + A$499 setup = A$4,687.

That calculation excludes GST, any messages and any extra work outside the quoted scope. It assumes the same volume and rates throughout the year. It shows how an advertised subscription becomes a budget; it does not predict your bill.

Decide what the receptionist must actually do

A service that captures a name and number is different from one that checks several calendars, applies appointment rules and writes back to a customer record. Describe the outcome before asking for a quote.

For example: “When we cannot answer, capture the caller’s name, suburb and reason for calling, then send a callback task to our office. Do not quote prices or promise attendance.” That scope is easier to compare than “an AI agent for our business”.

A software subscription generally leaves more setup and operating work with you. A managed service may include that work, but “managed” needs a written definition. Ask who changes holiday hours, investigates failed calls and fixes broken connections.

Use this worksheet when comparing quotes

Send the same workload and requirements to each supplier. Ask them to complete these lines:

1. Initial work: configuration, call flow, integrations, testing, number changes and training.
2. Recurring commitments: subscription, number rental, minimum spend and support.
3. Metered use: included calls or minutes, overage rates, SMS and any charges after a call transfers.
4. Change requests: which changes are included and which need a new quote.
5. Busy-month total: a second estimate using your busiest recorded month.
6. Exit: notice period, number ownership, export access and removal of stored data.

Ask for currency and GST treatment on every quote. If the underlying platform bills in US dollars, agree how exchange-rate changes reach your invoice. A spending alert should reach someone who can act; also clarify whether a hard cap stops answering calls.

Check value without counting every missed call as a sale

Review your phone log first. Separate genuine new enquiries from spam, existing-customer calls and repeated attempts from the same person. Record what happened after callbacks. An unanswered ring does not prove lost revenue.

For a trial, track additional completed jobs that can reasonably be attributed to the service. Use the contribution left after direct job costs, rather than the full invoice value, when comparing those jobs with the system’s cost. Track staff review time separately, and avoid counting the same benefit twice.

When spending less is the better decision

If calls are infrequent and you can reliably return them, clearer voicemail and a scheduled callback routine may be enough. If callers regularly need negotiation, reassurance or sensitive judgement, compare a human answering service too.

Before committing, request a test covering an ordinary enquiry, an unclear name, an unavailable booking time and a caller asking for a person. Read about RightLink’s voice AI service if you need help defining and testing that scope.