AI receptionist cost in Australia: what the published prices say
Published 6 October 2026 · Prices read on 5 October 2026 · By Target Digital · 8 minute read
AI receptionist cost in Australia runs from about $49 to $449 a month on the plans that publish a price, and the headline number is rarely the whole bill. What you pay depends on how the provider counts a call, what is billed separately, and whether you need it connected to your calendar or CRM.
This guide compares the prices two providers publish, shows the arithmetic behind them, and lists what to ask before you sign. We also explain when an AI receptionist is the wrong tool, because we sell the other thing and would rather you buy the right one.
What an AI receptionist does, and what it does not
An AI receptionist answers the calls that reach your business line when you cannot: it picks up, answers common questions, takes details, often books an appointment, and sends you a summary. It works on inbound calls, from people who rang you.
It does not chase enquiries that have already come in through a web form, a Facebook lead ad or a missed call. That is a different job, covered in the last section below.
AI receptionist cost: the published prices
These are the figures each provider shows on its own pricing page, read on 5 October 2026. Prices change, so check the source before you decide.
| Provider | Plan | Monthly price | What is included | Over the allowance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trillet | One plan | $49 | 150 minutes (about 75 calls, by its own estimate), booking, call summaries, no setup fee | $0.20 per extra minute |
| AiDial | Core | $149 | 60 calls, 60 SMS | $2.49 per extra call |
| AiDial | Scale | $249 | 150 calls, 150 SMS | $1.99 per extra call |
| AiDial | Max | $449 | 400 calls, 400 SMS | $1.49 per extra call |
Sources: Trillet and AiDial. We have no commercial relationship with either.
What that works out to per call
Our arithmetic from their published figures, not their claims:
- AiDial Core: $149 ÷ 60 calls is about $2.48 a call. Scale: $249 ÷ 150 is about $1.66. Max: $449 ÷ 400 is about $1.12.
- Trillet: $49 for roughly 75 calls is about 65 cents a call, if your calls average about two minutes. Longer calls cost more, because it bills by the minute.
These are not like for like. AiDial bills by "Call Unit": up to 10 connected minutes, and voicemail, wrong-number and immediate hang-up connections still count. Trillet bills by the minute. A business with many short calls and one with long consultations will see very different bills from the same two price lists.
A worked example: 100 calls a month
- Trillet: 100 calls at about two minutes is 200 minutes. That is 150 included plus 50 extra at $0.20, so $49 + $10 = $59.
- AiDial Core: 60 included plus 40 extra at $2.49 is $149 + $99.60 = $248.60. Scale costs $249 and includes 150 calls, so at 100 calls Scale is 40 cents more and leaves 50 spare.
The second example is a good reason to read the overage rate, not just the headline price. On AiDial, the cheapest plan stops being the cheapest once you pass about 40 calls over its allowance.
What drives the AI receptionist cost
- Call volume and length. Both billing methods above scale with how much your phone rings and how long people stay on.
- How a "call" is counted. Does a voicemail, a wrong number or a two-second hang-up use your allowance?
- Integrations. Connecting to your booking system, CRM or practice software. AiDial quotes these separately; a self-serve plan may only connect a calendar.
- Data and compliance needs. Health, legal and financial businesses may need Australian data residency and audit trails. AiDial sells this as a $100 a month add-on.
- Setup. Trillet states no setup fee. AiDial says setup fees are set in your own scope of work, so ask for the figure in writing.
Costs that sit outside the monthly price
- A second phone line or forwarding. Some providers give you a new number and you forward your existing one to it, which means paying your current phone provider as well.
- Minimum terms. A scope of work can include a minimum subscription period. One provider offers a money-back period instead; compare the two.
- Your time. Someone has to supply the business information the AI uses and check how it answers. One provider says incomplete material can mean delays or extra charges.
- The human alternative. To judge whether the numbers above are good value, compare them with what a receptionist costs you. Check the current rates on the Fair Work Ombudsman's minimum wages page and your award, and add the on-costs.
Questions to ask before you sign
- How is a call counted: by call, by minute, or by connected minute? What happens to voicemails and wrong numbers?
- What is the price per extra call or minute, and is there a cap on overage?
- Is there a setup fee, and is it written down?
- Is there a minimum term, and how do I cancel?
- Do I keep my number, or forward it to a new one?
- Where is call data stored, and can I download transcripts?
- Who is responsible for telling callers they are speaking to an AI, and for any consent? One provider's FAQ says that is the customer's job, so confirm it in writing.
AI receptionist or lead callback: which do you need?
If your problem is calls going unanswered while you are on the tools, an AI receptionist at the prices above may be all you need. We would point you there.
If your problem is enquiries that arrive by web form, Facebook lead ad or missed call and then go cold because nobody rings back quickly, that is a lead follow-up problem. Our AI Outbound Call Engine handles that: it texts the lead instantly, calls them with an AI voice agent, qualifies them, then transfers hot leads live or books the rest. Pricing is published: Starter is $2,000 setup plus $500 a month, with Growth and Scale above it, and tool costs typically $150 to $300 a month paid directly. The guide on speed to lead explains why the first five minutes matter, and the calculator shows what slow follow-up costs you.
AI receptionist cost: common questions
How much does an AI receptionist cost per month in Australia?
On the two providers compared here, from $49 a month for a single plan to $449 a month for 400 calls, with extras for integrations and compliance add-ons. Custom builds and enterprise deployments cost more.
Is an AI receptionist worth it for a small business?
It depends on how many calls you miss and what each one is worth. If a missed call is a lost job worth hundreds of dollars, a plan under $250 a month can pay for itself with one or two recovered jobs. If you rarely miss calls, it will not.
Are there setup fees?
It varies. One provider states none; another sets them in your scope of work. Ask for the figure in writing before you commit.
Do I need to change my phone number?
Not always. Some providers work with call forwarding from your existing number; others issue a new dedicated number that you forward to. Check which, because it changes the total bill.
Next step
If leads rather than calls are your problem, a 30-minute call is the quickest way to see whether automation would help. We will look at how enquiries reach you today and tell you honestly if a cheaper tool would do the job.
Book a 30-minute intro callHave the AI call your phone
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Prices are those published by each provider on 5 October 2026 and may have changed.