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 prepaid billing system. 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. Alternatively, if you use Microsoft Teams Calling, your costs will be based on SIP trunk channels rather than per-user PBX licenses.

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.

Click2Call Pricing in Australia (2026)

Click2Call uses simple, transparent flat-rate pricing on a prepaid billing system — no hidden fees, no lock-in contracts. You load credit onto your account, and your monthly flat-rate fees are deducted from this balance. All prices ex GST.

All prices ex GST. No lock-in contracts. View full pricing & call rates →

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: Each user includes 300 minutes of outbound calls to local, national, and mobile numbers, with unlimited inbound calls. Calls to international numbers and 13/1300 numbers are charged at highly competitive rates.
• Additional Lines: A Inbound Business Number costs $10.00 per month (ex GST) with Click2Call.
• Toll-Free Numbers: 1800 Toll-Free numbers are available — contact Click2Call for current pricing.

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. With simple flat-rate pricing — $25.00/user/month (ex GST) including a phone number and 300 minutes outbound — there are no large upfront hardware costs, no bundled plans, and no lock-in contracts.