In Australia, an AI voice receptionist typically costs a one-off setup fee of a few hundred dollars, plus an ongoing $150 to $400 per month depending on call volume and what it connects to. Service AI's receptionist starts from $499 to set up and $249/month. That's a fraction of a part-time human receptionist's wage — and it answers every call, 24/7.
That's the short answer. Below is what actually sits behind the number, so you can work out where your business would land and whether it's worth it.
What you're paying for
An AI receptionist isn't just software you switch on. The price covers a few distinct things:
- Setup & configuration — a one-off fee to build your agent: loading your services, prices, service area and FAQs, connecting your calendar and tools, and tuning the voice until it sounds right. This is usually a few hundred dollars.
- Monthly service — the ongoing cost to run the agent, answer calls, and keep it maintained and improving. This is where most of the value lives, and it's typically $150–$400/month for a small business.
- Usage — some providers charge per minute or per call on top; others bundle a generous allowance into the monthly fee. Always check which model you're on.
What drives the price up or down
Two businesses can pay quite different amounts. The main factors:
- Call volume. A sole trader taking 30 calls a week costs less to run than a busy clinic taking 300.
- Integrations. Connecting to your calendar is standard; wiring into job-management software or a CRM can add to setup.
- Number of lines & locations. One number is simplest. Multiple branches or departments add complexity.
- How custom it needs to be. A simple "answer, qualify, book" flow is cheaper than a heavily branched script with lots of edge cases.
How it compares to the alternatives
The sticker price only makes sense next to what you'd otherwise pay to never miss a call:
A full-time receptionist is $55,000+ a year and works business hours. A part-time one is $25,000+ and works set shifts. An answering service takes messages but rarely books the job. Voicemail is "free" — but most callers won't leave one.
An AI receptionist sits well under all of those on cost, and it's the only option on that list that answers at 2am on a Sunday, books the job, and texts you a summary. For most service businesses, a single missed job a month more than covers the fee.
Is it worth it for your business?
The honest test is simple: how many calls do you miss in a typical week, what's an average job worth to you, and how many of those callers would have booked? Multiply it out and you'll usually find the lost revenue dwarfs the monthly cost. We built a free missed-call calculator to do exactly that maths in about ten seconds.
If you're a tradie or local service business and the number that comes back is bigger than a few hundred dollars a month, an AI receptionist almost certainly pays for itself.
FAQ
Is an AI receptionist cheaper than a human?
Almost always. A part-time human costs $25,000+ a year for set hours. An AI receptionist runs from roughly $150–$400/month, answers 24/7, and never takes a sick day.
Are there setup fees?
Usually a one-off fee (often a few hundred dollars) to configure and tune the agent before it goes live. Service AI's setup starts from $499.
What pushes the price up?
Call volume, integrations (CRM, job software), number of lines, and how much custom tuning your business needs.
Want your exact number? See our transparent pricing, read how the AI Voice Receptionist works, or book a free demo and we'll quote you on the call.