Short answer: This free calculator shows Australian businesses what repetitive admin and missed calls are costing them each year, ranks the tasks worth automating first, and estimates how quickly an AI phone agent pays for itself. Everything is in AUD, ex GST, and every assumption can be changed.
How the calculator works
It adds up three sources of value, then ranks them so you can see where to start.
- Time handed back: hours your team spends each week on repetitive tasks, multiplied by the share that can realistically be automated and your real hourly cost (wage plus on-costs such as 12% super, leave and workers comp).
- Missed calls recovered: calls missed each month, multiplied by the share of callers who go elsewhere, your usual conversion rate and your gross margin per sale. We use gross profit rather than revenue so the number isn’t inflated.
- Running costs replaced: the part of what you pay now for a receptionist or answering service that an AI agent would take over.
Payback compares what an AI phone agent covers each month (call answering time, recovered missed calls and replaced answering costs) with our plans from $349 a month plus a one-off $899 setup, AUD ex GST.
What makes this different
- Built for Australia: AUD, ex GST, and on-costs that reflect Australian employment (super, leave, workers comp, payroll tax where it applies).
- Industry starting points: pick trades, removalists, clinics, retail, professional services or builders and it fills in typical figures, which you then adjust.
- Ranked, not just totalled: you see which task is worth automating first, not one big number.
- Honest maths: profit rather than revenue for missed calls, and adjustable automation percentages instead of hidden assumptions.
Which tasks are usually worth automating first?
| Task | Why it’s often first |
|---|---|
| Answering calls and enquiries | Every missed call can be a lost job, and an AI receptionist covers after hours, weekends and busy periods. |
| Quote follow-up | Many quotes are never followed up; automated check-ins win back work you’ve already paid to quote. |
| Data entry between systems | Copying details from email to CRM to accounting is pure double handling that process automation removes. |
| Customer updates | Job-status and order updates are predictable and repetitive, so they automate cleanly. |
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the calculator?
It’s an estimate based on the numbers you enter. The more closely your inputs match your real call volumes, hours and margins, the more useful the result. We use it as a starting point, then confirm with real data in an audit.
What on-costs should I include on top of wages?
For most Australian employers, super (12%), leave entitlements and workers comp add roughly 20 to 30% on top of the hourly wage, more if you pay payroll tax. The calculator starts at 25%.
How much does an AI phone agent cost?
Sharp Instincts AI phone agent plans start from $349 a month plus a one-off $899 setup, AUD ex GST, with no lock-in contract. We recommend a plan based on your real call volumes.
Can I try the AI phone agent first?
Yes. Call our own agent on 1800 063 182. It runs the full enquiry process and can book you a time with our founder.
Talk to us
Book a time with our founder, Richard Monheit, call us or request a proposal.
Book a time with Richard Call 1800 512 124 Request a proposal
We’re at Waterman Chadstone, Level 2, Upper Level 40/1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148. Month to month, no lock-in contracts.