Guide
How much does an answering service cost in Australia?
Updated July 2026
The short answer
In Australia in 2026, a live (human) answering service typically costs $300–$900+ per month, usually charged per call or per minute. AI receptionists range from about $99/month for self-serve apps to $199–$699/month for done-for-you services that answer calls and book appointments. Kora is $449/month flat with unlimited calls, plus a $499 one-time setup.
The three pricing models
Human answering services charge per call (roughly $3–$5 each) or per minute, so a busy month costs more — often much more than the advertised entry price. Self-serve AI apps charge a low flat fee but leave the setup, scripts and calendar wiring to you, and many can't actually book appointments at their base price. Done-for-you AI receptionists charge a higher flat fee and handle everything: setup, a receptionist trained on your business, calendar booking, and confirmations.
What the cheap options leave out
The number to check on any low advertised price is what it takes to get a booking into your calendar. Several popular AI receptionists lock appointment booking behind their higher tiers, and some human services only take messages — which means you still spend your evening ringing people back. If the goal is jobs booked while you work, message-taking is only half the product.
What it costs to answer the phone yourself
The comparison most trade businesses skip: a part-time receptionist costs $25,000+ a year, and answering it yourself costs missed work, interrupted jobs, and the calls you physically can't take. Industry figures widely cited for Australian trades put around 1 in 3 calls unanswered — and most of those callers simply ring the next business rather than leave voicemail.
How Kora prices it
One plan: $449 per month in Australian dollars with unlimited calls — no per-call or per-minute meter — plus a $499 one-time setup where the receptionist is configured for your services, hours, prices and calendar. There's no lock-in contract. For most trades, one saved job a month covers the cost; a typical call-out is worth a few hundred dollars.
Related questions
Are there hidden costs with AI answering services?
Watch for per-minute overages, per-booking fees, and features like calendar booking or call transfers gated behind higher tiers. Flat-fee unlimited pricing avoids the surprise bill in a busy month.
Is a cheap self-serve AI receptionist worth it?
If you have time to configure scripts and wiring yourself and mainly want messages taken, maybe. If you want calls answered and jobs booked into your calendar without becoming your own IT department, done-for-you is what actually delivers that.
Hear it answer a call, live
The fastest way to judge an AI receptionist is to ring one. Call Kora now and try to book a job.