Deskie AI Reception
Reception service costs in Australia
Reception services use four main cost models. An in-house receptionist is an employee cost. Outsourced live answering commonly charges by time, call or message. A virtual receptionist often combines a monthly retainer with usage. An AI receptionist usually has a monthly allowance measured in calls or minutes. All prices and job values on this page are in AUD.
Last updated 13 July 2026
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If you don't answer customer calls, your competitors will.
What missed calls actually cost
Miss 5 calls a week. Win 1 in 3 of them. Average job $450. That is around $3,200 a month going to someone else.
What Deskie costs per unit
Deskie Core is $149 a month for 60 answered calls. That is $4.90 a day, or $2.48 per captured job. One job pays for three months.
How do reception service charging models differ?
An in-house receptionist is paid for rostered time whether the phone is busy or quiet, with employment costs and leave cover considered separately. Live answering services may charge by call duration, each call answered, each message sent, or a bundled plan. Virtual receptionist services can combine a base retainer with per-call or per-minute usage. AI receptionist plans commonly include a set number of calls or minutes, then use top-ups or overage charges.
Answered calls versus minutes, messages and per-call fees
An answered-call allowance counts complete eligible calls rather than talk time. A minute allowance is consumed for as long as conversations run. Per-message pricing can add a charge when a summary or message is delivered, while per-call pricing may charge for every answered interaction regardless of length. Ask how spam, wrong numbers, short hang-ups, transfers and repeat calls are treated before comparing allowances.
What does Deskie include for $149 per month?
Deskie answers missed or forwarded calls 24/7, captures caller and job details, sends the owner an SMS summary, sends the caller a confirmation SMS, and can book appointments or transfer calls when those capabilities are configured. There is no setup fee, no lock-in, and top-ups are available when more calls are needed. Deskie never hides that it is AI.
Which reception option suits which business?
An in-house receptionist can suit a larger team with steady front-desk work beyond the phone. Live answering can suit a business that wants human operators for defined call scripts. A virtual receptionist can suit a team that wants remote administrative support as well as call handling. An AI receptionist can suit a plumber, electrician, cleaner, landscaper, roofer, HVAC business, locksmith, removalist or mechanic that needs calls answered consistently without adding a rostered employee. If missed calls are the main problem, first compare a free missed-call auto-reply SMS with an AI receptionist.
What should an Australian small business check before choosing?
Check the charging unit, included allowance, opening hours, overage rules, setup fee, lock-in terms, number handling, summary format, spam policy, booking capability and transfer rules. Then compare those details with your real call pattern. A quiet business with long calls may value minutes differently from a busy service business with many short job enquiries.
Reception service cost models compared
| Option | Price and coverage |
|---|---|
| Voicemail | Free. Does not answer, does not capture, does not screen. |
| Missed-call auto-reply SMS | Free. Does not answer. Asks the caller to type out the job themselves. |
| Deskie AI receptionist | $149/month, 60 answered calls, no setup fee, no lock-in. |
| Human answering service | Typically $200 to $500 a month, message-taking only, operator does not know the business. |
| Part-time receptionist | Employment cost, superannuation, leave, and they still go home at 5pm. |
Some AI receptionists in this market sit around $400 a month. Deskie Core is $149.
The detailed table below compares how the options are structured and what each model includes.
| Feature | In-house receptionist | Outsourced live answering | Virtual receptionist | AI receptionist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical charging model | Employee wage plus employment costs | Monthly plan plus per-minute, per-call or per-message usage | Retainer, hourly block or usage-based plan | Monthly plan with included calls or minutes |
| Coverage | Rostered working hours | Provider hours or paid extended cover | Agreed remote service hours | Often 24/7, depending on provider |
| Calls answered or voicemail | Answered while the employee is available | Answered within the service scope | Answered within the service scope | Answered within configured forwarding rules |
| Message capture | Entered into the business's process | Message or call note | Message plus agreed admin follow-up | Structured summary or transcript, depending on provider |
| Appointment booking | Yes, using business systems | Sometimes, often plan-dependent | Often available as an agreed task | Available when supported and configured |
| After-hours availability | Requires a roster or another service | Available from some providers, sometimes at extra cost | Depends on the agreed service | Often included as 24/7 coverage |
| Likely additional charges | Super, leave, payroll and cover | Overages, transfers, messages, holidays or setup | Extra hours, tasks, systems or after-hours work | Overages, top-ups, integrations or premium features |
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FAQ
How much does a reception service cost in Australia?
There is no single reception service price. The cost depends on whether you employ someone, use live operators, hire a remote virtual receptionist, or use AI. Compare the charging unit, included usage, coverage and extra fees before comparing headline prices.
How much does an AI receptionist cost?
AI receptionist pricing can be measured by calls, minutes or a monthly subscription. Deskie Core's verified standard price is $149 per month and includes 60 answered calls.
What is included in Deskie Core?
Deskie Core includes 60 answered calls per month for $149. It includes AI call answering, configured caller questions, owner SMS summaries and caller confirmation SMS messages. Appointment booking and call transfer can be added when configured.
Is an answered-call allowance the same as a minute allowance?
No. An answered-call allowance counts eligible answered calls, while a minute allowance is consumed according to conversation length. Ask each provider how it treats spam, hang-ups, transfers and calls that run over the included allowance.
Is a live answering service better than an AI receptionist?
It depends on the business. Live operators may suit businesses that specifically want human handling. AI receptionists can suit eligible small service businesses that want consistent 24/7 answering, structured summaries and predictable setup without adding a staff roster.
Can reception services book appointments?
Some can. An in-house receptionist can use the business's booking system, and some live, virtual and AI services support appointment booking. Confirm the supported calendar, rules and approval process before relying on it. Deskie can book appointments when configured.
Hear Deskie answer a real call. Call 0485 017 007 for a 30-second live demo, or ask Deskie to call you. No email, signup or credit card.
Call 0485 017 007Prefer Deskie to call you? Enter your mobile and Deskie rings you back.
No credit card. No sales pitch.
By participating you confirm this is your number and consent to Deskie AI receptionist service demonstration and communications.
If you don't answer customer calls, your competitors will.