There are now many AI receptionist providers selling to Australian small businesses. They sound similar on their homepages, but the details – minutes, extras, contracts and how the AI behaves on a tricky call – vary a lot. Use these questions to compare.
Callers should know who they're talking to. Ask exactly what the greeting says.
Ask whether calls are recorded or transcribed, how callers are told, and whether they can opt out. Recording rules vary between states, so get advice if unsure.
Ask where recordings, transcripts and customer details are kept, how long for, and whether you can export or delete them.
It should only give prices you've approved. Ask how you set them and what happens when a caller asks for something not on the list.
Gas smells, electrical danger, someone hurt – it should direct callers to 000 or the right emergency line and alert you, not try to help.
Good answers: it takes a detailed message, books a call back or transfers to you. Bad answer: it guesses.
Work out your real monthly call minutes. Check whether minutes are counted per second or rounded up per call.
Some providers charge extra for text summaries or confirmations.
Check exactly when the trial ends and how to cancel before you're charged. A short trial with a clear cancel-by date and no lock-in contract is the low-risk option.
Look for month-to-month terms and a clear notice period.
Self-serve can be cheaper; done-for-you saves your evenings. Ask who writes your call questions and tests them.
Calendar, job management (ServiceM8, Tradify, simPRO, Fergus) or clinic software (Cliniko). Ask for specifics, not 'integrates with everything'.
| Question | KookaDesk |
|---|---|
| Says it's an AI? | Yes, at the start of every call. |
| Recording | Callers are told the call may be recorded and can leave a message without recording instead. |
| Prices | Only prices you approve. |
| Minutes | 300 / 600 / 800 included on A$199 / A$349 / A$549 per month +GST; extra minutes A$0.40/min +GST. |
| Trial | 7 days, up to 100 minutes. Card at signup; cancel anytime before day 7 and you won't be charged. |
| Setup fee and terms | A$299 or A$499 +GST, waived for our first 3 founding customers. Month to month, 30 days' notice. |
| Setup | Done for you remotely, wherever you are in Australia, in about 48 hours. Business hours are set in your own time zone. |
| Tools | Texts you a summary; you reply with a number to confirm (for example, Reply 1 for 2pm, 2 for 4pm). The customer then gets an SMS confirmation, and an email copy goes out for the record. No links to tap: just reply with a number. No calendar connection or install needed – Google/Outlook sync is optional. For job or clinic software, tell us what you use and we'll confirm what's possible before you pay. |
See also: AI receptionist vs answering service and how to divert calls.
KookaDesk is an AI receptionist for Australian trades and clinics, in every time zone. It answers missed calls, emails and web enquiries within 60 seconds, 24/7, and texts you the job. From A$199/month +GST. 7-day free trial, cancel anytime.