Voice AI vs Receptionist Cost Calculator
The real cost comparison most business owners have never done.
Most business owners know what they pay their receptionist. Very few know the true loaded cost — the super, workers comp, leave loading, recruitment, training, and equipment that add 30–45% on top of the base salary. And almost none have calculated the revenue they lose every week from calls that go unanswered after hours.
This calculator puts both numbers side by side. Enter your real figures — or use the defaults based on 2026 Australian market rates — and see exactly what a receptionist costs versus an AI voice agent, including the revenue impact of 24/7 coverage.
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Before super or any on-costs
The True Cost of a Receptionist in Australia (2026)
When most business owners think about the cost of a receptionist, they think about the salary. In 2026, that's roughly $55,000 to $62,000 for a full-time receptionist in a metro area. But the base salary is just the starting point. Once you add superannuation at 11.5%, workers compensation insurance, leave loading at 17.5% on annual leave, recruitment costs amortised over two years, annual training, and equipment (desk, phone system, computer, software licences), the true loaded cost sits between $65,000 and $86,000 per year. For a part-time receptionist, you're looking at $38,000 to $48,000 when all on-costs are included.
Beyond cost, there's the coverage gap. A full-time receptionist works 38 hours a week. An AI voice agent works 168 hours a week — every evening, every weekend, every public holiday. Research consistently shows that 80% of callers will not leave a voicemail. If your phone goes to voicemail after 5pm, you're losing leads. Not sometimes — every single day.
An AI voice agent closes this gap at a fraction of the cost. Industry pricing for Australian SMEs ranges from $149 to $499 per month depending on call volume. There are no on-costs — no super, no leave, no workers comp, no recruitment, no equipment. With an 85% call capture rate, most businesses recover enough lost revenue in the first quarter to make the entire annual cost ROI-positive.
This isn't about replacing people. Many businesses run both: a receptionist during business hours for complex interactions and relationship-building, and an AI voice agent for after-hours coverage, overflow during busy periods, and routine call handling. The combination gives you better coverage at a lower total cost.
For businesses exploring AI automation, a voice agent is often the highest-ROI starting point because the revenue impact is immediate and measurable. If you're in the Hills District or anywhere in Sydney, we can show you exactly how it works for your industry. Try our AI ROI Calculator for a broader view of automation savings, or browse all our free tools.
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