How Much Does a Business Phone System Cost in Australia? (2026 Guide)

Budgeting for a new business phone system can be confusing. With so many options available, from traditional on-premise hardware to modern cloud-based solutions, understanding the true cost is essential. This guide provides a transparent breakdown of what Australian businesses can expect to pay for a phone system in 2026, helping you make an informed decision and avoid hidden fees.

The Old Way: Traditional PBX Costs

An on-premise PBX system involves a significant upfront investment. While these systems are becoming less common, it's important to understand their cost structure as a baseline.

• Hardware: The physical PBX unit itself can cost anywhere from $5,000 to over $20,000, depending on the size of your business.
• Handsets: Desk phones can range from $100 for a basic model to over $500 for an executive video phone. For a 10-person office, this adds $1,000 - $5,000.
• Installation: Professional installation and configuration can cost between $1,000 and $5,000.
• Line Rental: You'll pay ongoing monthly fees for your physical phone lines (ISDN or PSTN), which can be several hundred dollars per month.
• Maintenance: A support contract can cost 15-20% of the initial hardware cost, per year.

The total upfront cost for a 10-person business can easily exceed $10,000, with significant ongoing fees.

The New Way: Cloud PBX Pricing

Cloud-based phone systems, like Click2Call, operate on a much simpler and more transparent subscription model. This shifts the cost from a large capital expenditure (CapEx) to a predictable operating expenditure (OpEx).

The primary cost is a per-user, per-month license fee. This fee typically includes everything you need to run your phone system.

What's Included in a Cloud PBX Plan?

With a provider like Click2Call, your monthly fee covers:

• License to use the platform: Access to all the features of your chosen plan.
• Unlimited Calls: Most plans include unlimited standard calls to Australian local, national, and mobile numbers (subject to a fair use policy).
• Free Software: Use of the mobile app (iOS/Android) and desktop softphone app.
• Support & Maintenance: All support, software updates, and system maintenance are handled by the provider.
• Number Porting: The one-time cost of moving your existing phone number to the new service is usually included.

Typical Cloud PBX Pricing in Australia (2026)

Pricing is tiered based on the features included. Here’s a general guide based on Click2Call's plans (all prices ex GST):

Other Potential Costs

• Handsets: While not required (you can use the free apps), if you want physical desk phones, you'll need to purchase VoIP-compatible models. These typically cost $150 - $400 per phone.
• Call Rates: Calls to international numbers, 13/1300 numbers, and other premium services are charged on a per-minute basis. These rates are generally much lower than traditional carriers, starting from around $0.12/min for pay-as-you-go calls.
• Direct Numbers (DDIs): A dedicated inbound number for a user or department typically costs around $8.00 per month.
• Toll-Free Numbers: A 1800 number usually has a monthly fee of around $18.00 plus inbound call charges.

Conclusion: A Clearer Picture

For a 10-person business, moving to a Cloud PBX like Click2Call is significantly more cost-effective than a traditional system. On a Business plan at $47.83/month (which includes 5 lines and 1,000 bundled minutes), the total monthly cost is just $47.83 (plus GST), with no large upfront hardware costs. This predictable monthly fee provides access to a feature-rich, reliable, and scalable phone system that empowers your team to work from anywhere.