As of 2026, published Australian pricing puts hosted VoIP (cloud phone systems) at roughly $10 to $75 per user per month, depending on the provider, whether calls are included and which features you need. Most small businesses land between about $20 and $50 per user. Desk handsets add about $110 to $360 each if you buy them outright. An on-premise IP PABX swaps most of the monthly per-user fee for an upfront hardware and installation cost plus SIP trunk line rental. Which is cheaper depends mainly on your number of users, how long you keep the system and what cabling you already have.
Updated September 2026. This guide looks at the numbers: published per-user prices, handset and SIP trunk costs, NBN and internet requirements, number porting and the hidden costs that change a quote. For the pros and cons of owning versus renting a system, read our companion guide, PABX vs VoIP for Parramatta businesses. Prices below are published figures checked in September 2026, not Mac-Tek Telecom’s own prices, and they change often. Confirm current pricing with each provider and get an on-site quote.
Hosted VoIP pricing from Australian providers
The table shows published per-user monthly prices from providers selling in Australia, as of 2026. Check whether prices include GST, because providers differ.
| Provider and plan | Published price per user per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MaxoTel Everyday PAYG | $9.95 (inc. GST) | Calls charged separately, minimum 2 users |
| MaxoTel MaxoPhone Standard to Ultra | $29.95 to $49.95 (inc. GST) | Includes national calls (fair use); tiers are bundled with a Yealink handset, cordless phone or softphone |
| Microsoft Teams Phone | $15.00 licence only; $19.50 with pay-as-you-go calling; $32.90 with domestic calling (ex GST) | Annual commitment; also needs a Microsoft 365 or Teams licence |
| Zoom Phone AU and NZ | A$15.96 metered; A$24.32 unlimited (ex GST) | Billed annually |
| RingCentral | $22.99 to $74.99 (ex GST, paid annually) | Higher rates apply when billed monthly |
Aussie Broadband advertises hosted PBX from $35 a month for a softphone-only plan on a 36-month contract. Telstra and other large carriers usually price business calling through bundles or account managers rather than a simple published per-user rate.
What the monthly fee usually includes
A per-user fee normally covers an extension, voicemail, call forwarding, an auto-attendant, a mobile and desktop app, and either included or pay-as-you-go calls. Call recording, call-centre queues, CRM integration and extra phone numbers are often charged on higher tiers or as add-ons. Always compare plans on the features you will actually use.
On-premise IP PABX costs
With an on-premise IP PABX, you own the phone system hardware and software, and connect it to the phone network with SIP trunks. We could not find a credible published Australian cost guide for supplying and installing an IP PABX, so we will not quote a range. The main cost items are:
- The PABX platform. This can be a hardware appliance, a small server or a software licence. Some software, such as 3CX, is licensed per system per year based on the number of simultaneous calls, rather than per user.
- Handsets. Australian retail prices checked in September 2026 were about $109 for a basic Yealink T31P, $235 for a T43U and $330 to $363 for a T54W colour touchscreen model (SIPcity, Mwave).
- SIP trunks. These replace old phone lines. MaxoTel lists a two-call pay-as-you-go trunk at $19.95 a month, four calls at $39.95 and eight calls at $59.95, with calls charged per call and extra numbers at $2 a month.
- Installation and programming. This covers setting up extensions, call flows, on-hold messages and voicemail, and training staff.
- Maintenance. This covers software updates, security patches and hardware replacement over the life of the system.
An on-premise system usually suits businesses with many extensions, existing compatible handsets, or a need for local call recording or integration. Our PABX vs VoIP guide covers that trade-off in detail.
What drives the total cost
Number of users and contract length
Hosted costs scale almost directly with users, so a 30-person team pays about three times what a 10-person team pays. On-premise costs are front-loaded, so the longer you keep the system, the lower the cost per year. Compare the total over three to five years, including handsets, rather than just the first bill.
Handsets: buy, rent or softphone
Some plans, such as MaxoTel’s MaxoPhone tiers, bundle a handset into the monthly fee. Buying outright costs more upfront but can be cheaper over time. Softphone apps on computers and mobiles avoid handset costs entirely, which suits hybrid teams.
Calls included or pay as you go
Businesses that make few outbound calls often save money on pay-as-you-go plans. Sales teams and call centres usually do better with included national calls.
Cabling and network
IP phones need a network port and usually power over Ethernet (PoE) from a switch. If your office has old or patchy cabling, the cabling and a PoE switch can cost more than the phones. Our data cabling cost guide has current ranges.
NBN and internet considerations
Every modern business phone system in Australia runs over the internet, because the old copper network and ISDN have been retired. Telstra Wholesale set 31 May 2022 as the ISDN exit date in most nbn areas. Any business still running an old PABX on ISDN has already had to move to SIP or hosted services.
- Bandwidth. Cisco puts the G.711 codec at about 87 kbps per call in each direction and G.729 at about 31 kbps (Cisco). Ten simultaneous G.711 calls need under 1 Mbps each way, so upload quality and stability matter more than raw speed.
- Quality of service. A business-grade router that prioritises voice traffic helps prevent choppy calls when someone uploads large files.
- Power failures. nbn says landline and internet services on nbn do not work during a power outage on most connection types. The ACMA notes that NBN Co stopped taking orders for its backup battery unit in May 2024. Plan for a UPS on your router and switch, a 4G backup link, or call forwarding to mobiles.
- Medical and security alarms. Check any lift phones, alarms or fax lines still connected to the old phone system before you switch.
Keeping your phone numbers
You can keep your existing numbers when you change provider. The ACMA says you can port local, mobile, 1300, 1800 and 13 numbers. The most important rule is not to cancel your old service first, because a disconnected number cannot be ported. According to the ACMA, single local numbers generally port within 8 to 15 days and complex ports of more than one number can take up to 30 days. Some telcos charge fees. For example, MaxoTel lists $25 per simple local number and $220 per complex batch after the first free port for hosted customers. Numbers on ISDN or in hunt groups are usually handled as complex ports.
How to compare quotes
- List your users, desk phones, cordless phones, softphones and phone numbers.
- Ask for a three- and five-year total, including handsets, installation, line rental and calls.
- Check the contract term, exit fees and who owns the handsets.
- Confirm which features are included and which cost extra.
- Check your internet, network switch and cabling are ready before cutover.
- Agree a porting plan and cutover date so you do not lose calls.
Frequently asked questions
Is hosted VoIP cheaper than a PABX?
For small teams and short time frames, usually yes, because there is little upfront cost. For larger teams keeping a system for many years, an on-premise PABX can cost less overall. Compare five-year totals.
Do I need a special NBN plan for VoIP?
Not necessarily, but a stable connection with good upload speed and a router that prioritises voice traffic makes a big difference. Larger offices often choose a business-grade service.
Can I keep my 02 numbers and 1300 number?
Yes. Local, 1300, 1800 and 13 numbers can be ported. Keep the old service active until the port is complete.
Do VoIP phones work in a blackout?
Not without backup power. Your nbn equipment and phones need power, so use a UPS, a mobile backup or call forwarding to mobiles.
Can I use my existing handsets?
Often, if they are standard SIP phones from brands such as Yealink. Proprietary handsets from older PABXs usually cannot be reused with a new provider.
Mac-Tek Telecom supplies, installs and cables PABX and VoIP phone systems for businesses across Penrith, Parramatta, Blacktown, Mount Druitt, St Marys and Western Sydney. Book a free on-site assessment or call 0411 126 995. We will review your users, cabling and internet connection and give you a written quote.
