Built by AI. Set up by humans. Right here in Perth.
Phone answering service for Perth businesses.
Picking up the phone for Perth’s tradies, hair salons, plumbers, cafés, accountants, real estate agents, electricians and mechanics.
On the tools, with a client or closed for the night? CXUP is a Perth phone answering service and virtual receptionist powered by AI, built for small business. It answers your calls 24/7 on your existing number, takes messages, books appointments and puts urgent calls through, alongside your team. Our people in Perth set it all up for you.
- Answers 24/7
- Works with your existing number
- Plans from $149/month incl. GST
Illustrative example of a call.
Answering service, virtual receptionist or AI receptionist?
They all help get your phone answered, in different ways. Here’s a plain comparison so you can pick what suits your business, or combine them.
Voicemail and call forwarding
Free or close to it. Calls go to your mobile or a message bank. Some callers won't leave a message, and someone still has to ring everyone back.
Answering service or virtual receptionist
A person answers in your business's name and passes on messages, usually on a monthly plan plus a fee per call. Some AI services also call themselves virtual receptionists, so ask who, or what, is answering.
Your own receptionist
A great receptionist does far more than answer the phone: they welcome people, know your regulars and handle the conversations that need a human touch. Like all of us, they can only take one call at a time, and they need breaks and time off.
AI receptionist (CXUP)
Answers every call 24/7 on your existing number, handles common questions, takes messages, books appointments and puts urgent calls through. It can be your first point of call, or back up your team when they're busy or closed.
For many small businesses, the question isn’t AI or a person. It’s whether every call gets answered.
Phone answering for small business.
Running a small business means wearing every hat: owner, tradie or stylist, salesperson, bookkeeper and receptionist. CXUP takes one of those hats off you. It answers your calls so you can focus on the work, your customers and your family.
Sole traders
You are the business. When you're with a customer or on a job, CXUP answers so a new enquiry doesn't go to the next number on Google.
Family businesses
Nobody has to sit by the phone on weekends or during dinner. Calls still get answered in your business's name.
Home-based and mobile businesses
Out on the road, at a market or working from home with the kids around: your business line gets answered either way.
Growing teams
Busier than last year? Overflow answering covers the extra calls before you're ready to hire, and alongside the team you have.
Small business solutions don’t have to be complicated. CXUP works with the number you already have, starts from $149 a month incl. GST, and is set up for you by people in Perth.
Opening a business in Perth? Sort your phone from day one.
Starting a new business is exciting, and busy. Your first customers will often ring before they visit or book, so it pays to know who’s answering from your very first call. Here’s a simple phone checklist for new businesses.
- Get your registrations sorted. Most new businesses register for an ABN, and many register a business name too. The Australian Government's business.gov.au walks you through it. Guide to starting a business
- Choose your business number. A dedicated business number keeps work calls separate from personal ones, and it's the number customers will save and remember.
- Write your greeting. Your business name, a friendly hello and what callers can expect. Short and clear works best.
- Decide your hours. Work out when you'll answer yourself, and what should happen after hours and when you're flat out.
- Put your number everywhere. Your website, Google Business Profile, signage, vehicle, socials and quotes. Make it easy for customers to call you.
- Plan who answers when you can't. Call forwarding, an answering service or an AI receptionist like CXUP, so your very first enquiries aren't missed.
Free help for new WA businesses
- business.gov.au: guide to starting a business
- business.gov.au: register for an ABN
- Small Business Development Corporation (WA)
These are free government resources. CXUP isn’t affiliated with them.
What does phone answering cost in Perth?
Employing a receptionist
$29.45an hour, award minimum (Level 2, year 1)
If you’re budgeting for a receptionist, the Clerks Award minimum from 1 July 2026 is $1,119.10 for a 38-hour week, about $58,193 a year, plus 12% super. Leave and other on-costs come on top. A good receptionist also does much more than answer calls.
Sources: Clerks Award, clause 16 · ATO super guarantee
Answering services
Per calla monthly plan, plus a fee per call
Most charge a monthly plan with a set number of calls, then a fee for each extra call, so busy months cost more. Check whether prices include GST, what happens after hours, and whether there’s a setup fee or a lock-in.
CXUP AI receptionist
$149a month incl. GST
Basic $149 (100 minutes), Standard $299 (300 minutes), Premium $499 (600 minutes), plus a one-off setup from $599 incl. GST. We don’t charge by the minute: if you get close to your limit, we’ll give you a heads-up and help you move to the plan that fits.
These do different jobs, so it isn’t a like-for-like comparison. Plenty of businesses keep their receptionist and use CXUP for the calls that would otherwise go to voicemail.
How to stop missing customer calls.
- Count what you miss. Check your phone's call log for a fortnight: total calls, missed calls, and how many you rang back. Leave out spam and wrong numbers.
- Fix the free things. Forward calls to a team member when you're busy, keep your voicemail greeting short with a time you'll call back, and put your opening hours on Google.
- Give callers another way in. A text number or a missed-call text helps the callers who'd rather not wait. It doesn't answer their question, but it keeps the conversation going.
- Answer the rest. A phone answering service or AI receptionist picks up when you can't: on the tools, with a client, already on another call, or closed for the night.
What are missed calls costing you?
Put in your own calls, missed-call rate and job value, and see the revenue at risk. Free, and it takes about a minute.
Answering service for tradies, salons, real estate and more.
If a missed call can cost you a job, a booking or a customer, CXUP is built for you.
Plumbers, electricians and tradies
On the tools, up a ladder or driving between jobs. CXUP answers, takes the job details and the suburb, books the quote visit and puts urgent calls through to you, day or night.
Hair salons, barbers and beauty
Colour on your hands and a client in the chair. CXUP answers, books the appointment and answers questions about your services and opening hours.
Real estate and property managers
Buyer, tenant and maintenance enquiries captured around the clock, not just in office hours, and passed to the right person with the details they need.
Cafés, restaurants and venues
Booking calls in the middle of service. CXUP answers questions about hours and bookings and takes the reservation details.
Shops and retail
Questions about stock, hours and orders answered without pulling staff off the floor. Urgent calls still come through to you.
Phone answering for every kind of Perth business.
If your business takes bookings or enquiries by phone, CXUP can answer for you. Here are some of the businesses it suits.
Trades and home services
Calls come in while you're on the tools. CXUP takes the job details, the suburb and the best time to call back.
Automotive
Booking calls while you're under a car or out on a mobile job.
Hair, beauty and wellbeing
Clients can book while you're mid-appointment, and questions about services and opening hours get answered.
Professional services
New enquiries captured and passed on, with extra cover around busy times like EOFY and BAS deadlines. It doesn't give professional advice.
Property and real estate
Buyer, tenant and maintenance enquiries taken around the clock and passed to the right person.
Hospitality, retail and events
Reservation and stock questions answered without pulling staff away from customers.
Fitness and education
Class, membership and enrolment enquiries answered while you're teaching or training.
After-hours and overflow call answering.
Choose when CXUP answers: every call, only when your line is busy, or after hours when you’re closed. It’s a 24-hour answering service, and you can change how it’s used as your business changes.
- 6:00 amAn east-coast callDuring daylight saving, 9 am in Sydney is 6 am in Perth. The call gets answered before you've had a coffee.
- 12:30 pmThe line's busyTwo customers ring at once while your team is flat out. Overflow answering picks up the second call.
- 8:15 pmClosed for the nightAfter-hours call answering takes the details and books the first slot tomorrow.
- SundayWeekend enquiryWeekends and public holidays are covered too, because it answers 24/7.
Not for emergencies. CXUP isn’t designed for emergency or life-critical calls. If anyone is in danger, call 000.
Will callers mind talking to an AI?
Some will, and it’s worth knowing. In a 2025 Twilio and YouGov survey of 1,031 Australians, 84% said being able to easily transfer from an AI agent to a human is important, and 49% preferred to start with a human even if it took longer.
That’s why CXUP is set up around your rules and your people: urgent calls go through to your team, and when no one’s free it takes a message so you can call back.
Hear it for yourself
Our own line is answered by our AI receptionist, any time of day.
Business solutions from CXUP, made in Perth.
The CX in CXUP stands for customer experience, and good customer service starts with answering the phone. Whether you’re opening a business, growing one or just tired of missing calls, these are practical solutions for small business you can start on this week.
AI receptionist
Answers your calls 24/7, takes messages, books appointments and puts urgent calls through. From $149 a month incl. GST.
Small business websites
A website for your business from $59.99 a month incl. GST. The price depends on what you need, and we confirm it once we understand your business.
Free missed call calculator
See what missed calls could be costing your business, using your own numbers. Free and quick.
Phone answering words, in plain English.
- Phone answering service
- Also called a call answering or telephone answering service: someone, or something, answers your business calls when you can't, and passes the details on to you.
- Virtual receptionist
- Usually a person working remotely who answers in your business's name. Some AI services use the same name, so ask who's answering.
- AI receptionist
- Software that answers your calls, handles common questions, takes messages and can book appointments, any hour. CXUP is an AI receptionist, set up by people in Perth.
- Live answering
- A call answered as it rings, rather than going to voicemail for a call back later.
- After-hours answering
- Calls answered when you're closed: nights, weekends and public holidays.
- Overflow call answering
- Calls answered only when your own line is busy or no one picks up, so a second caller isn't lost.
- Call forwarding
- Sending calls from your business number to another phone, such as your mobile or a colleague.
- Missed-call text back
- An automatic text to someone whose call you missed. Helpful, but it doesn't answer their question.
- Message taking
- Capturing the caller's name, number and what they need, and passing it on to you.
- Call transfer
- Putting a caller straight through to a person on your team, for example when a call is urgent.
- Call centre
- Usually a large team handling high volumes of calls for bigger organisations. An answering service is typically built for smaller businesses.
- Virtual assistant
- Usually a remote assistant who helps with admin like email and scheduling. A virtual receptionist or AI receptionist focuses on your phone calls.
- Business phone number
- A number used only for your business, separate from your personal mobile. It's the number on your website, Google profile and signage.
- Customer experience (CX)
- How customers feel about dealing with your business, from the first phone call to the follow-up. It's the CX in CXUP.
- Enquiry capture
- Making sure every new enquiry is recorded with the caller's details and what they need, so nobody slips through the cracks.
Live in days, set up by people.
A real conversation
In person, over a call or on Google Meet, we learn how you want calls handled: what to say, what to book and when to put a call through.
We build and test it
Your receptionist is set up around your business, connected to your existing number and tested end to end before it goes live.
You go live, we fine-tune
Review every call's transcript, summary and outcome in your client portal. As real calls come in, we adjust it with you.
Most businesses are live within a few days of signing up. Setup is a one-off fee from $599 incl. GST. CXUP is a family-run, WA-owned business. Meet the team behind it.
Phone answering for businesses across Perth.
Looking for a phone answering service near you? We set up businesses right across the Perth metro area, from the northern beaches to the southern suburbs, the western suburbs, the eastern suburbs and the hills. We meet in person, over a call or on Google Meet. We don’t have an office in every suburb; here are some of the areas we cover.
North of the river
- Perth CBD
- West Perth
- Northbridge
- Subiaco
- Leederville
- Mount Lawley
- Wembley
- Floreat
- Osborne Park
- Stirling
- Innaloo
- Doubleview
- Scarborough
- Karrinyup
- Balcatta
- Dianella
- Morley
- Mirrabooka
- Bayswater
- Malaga
- Warwick
- Duncraig
- Hillarys
- Kingsley
- Joondalup
- Currambine
- Wanneroo
- Clarkson
- Mindarie
- Butler
- Alkimos
- Yanchep
South of the river
- South Perth
- Como
- Victoria Park
- Belmont
- Bentley
- Applecross
- Melville
- Booragoon
- Fremantle
- Hamilton Hill
- Spearwood
- Bibra Lake
- Murdoch
- Leeming
- Willetton
- Riverton
- Cannington
- Thornlie
- Canning Vale
- Harrisdale
- Piara Waters
- Jandakot
- Success
- Cockburn Central
- Gosnells
- Armadale
- Byford
- Kwinana
- Baldivis
- Rockingham
- Warnbro
- Secret Harbour
East and the hills
- Midland
- Guildford
- Bassendean
- Ellenbrook
- Swan Valley
- Forrestfield
- High Wycombe
- Kalamunda
- Mundaring
- Maddington
- Kenwick
Not on the list? If your business is in Perth, get in touch and we’ll let you know how we can help.
Phone answering questions.
How much does a phone answering service cost in Perth?
It depends on how the service charges. Many answering services charge a monthly plan with a set number of calls, then a fee for each extra call. CXUP's AI receptionist starts at $149 a month for Basic (100 minutes included), $299 for Standard (300 minutes) and $499 for Premium (600 minutes), all including GST, plus a one-off setup fee from $599 incl. GST. We don't charge by the minute: if you're getting close to your limit, we'll give you a heads-up and help you move to the plan that fits. See plans and pricing
Is CXUP a 24-hour answering service?
Yes. CXUP answers 24/7, including nights, weekends and public holidays. You can use it for every call, only when you're busy, or only after hours.
What's the difference between a virtual receptionist and an AI receptionist?
A virtual receptionist usually means a person working remotely who answers calls in your business's name. An AI receptionist is software that answers the call itself. Some AI services also use the name virtual receptionist, so it's worth asking who, or what, will actually answer. CXUP is an AI receptionist, set up and looked after by real people in Perth. More about our AI receptionist
Will CXUP replace my receptionist?
It doesn't have to. A receptionist welcomes people, knows your customers and handles the conversations that need a human touch. CXUP answers the phone, any hour, so many businesses use it alongside their receptionist: as overflow when the front desk is busy, over lunch, or after hours.
Can CXUP back up my receptionist when they're busy or away?
Yes. Set up as overflow, it answers when your front desk is on another call, with a customer, on a break or away, and passes on the messages and booking requests.
Can it answer only after hours, or when we're busy?
Either, or both. Use it as your first point of call, as overflow when your team is busy, or as after-hours call answering when you're closed. Tell us what suits how you work and we'll set it up that way.
Does it work with my existing phone number?
Yes. Your receptionist connects to the number you already use, so there's nothing new for your customers to learn.
Can it book appointments?
Yes. It checks availability and books appointments into your calendar during the call. Tell us what you use to manage bookings and we'll confirm how it connects.
Does it take messages?
Yes. It takes the caller's name, number and what they need, and passes it straight on to you. Every call's transcript, summary and outcome is also in your client portal.
Does it sound like a robot?
The best way to judge is to listen. Our own line, 1300 01 CXUP, is answered by our AI receptionist, so you can call any time and hear it for yourself.
What happens if a call needs a real person?
Your receptionist can put urgent calls straight through to your team, or take a message if no one's available. It isn't designed for emergency or life-critical calls. In an emergency, call 000.
Do you offer an answering service for tradies?
Yes. Trades are one of the main businesses we set up: CXUP answers while you're on the tools, takes the job details and the suburb, books quote visits and puts urgent calls through. It isn't designed for emergency or life-critical calls. In an emergency, call 000.
Is there an answering service for small businesses and sole traders?
Yes. CXUP suits small and growing businesses, including sole traders who can't answer while they work. Plans start at $149 a month incl. GST.
Is an answering service worth it for a small business?
It depends on how many calls you miss and what a new customer is worth to you. Check your call log for a fortnight, then try our free missed call calculator with your own numbers. If missed calls are costing you work, an answering service or AI receptionist can be a simple fix. Try the missed call calculator
I'm opening a new business in Perth. When should I set up phone answering?
Ideally before you open, so your very first enquiries are answered. Most businesses are live within a few days of signing up, and CXUP connects to the business number you choose.
What business solutions does CXUP offer?
An AI receptionist that answers your calls 24/7 (from $149 a month incl. GST), websites for small businesses (from $59.99 a month incl. GST), and a free missed call calculator.
Can CXUP help a home-based or mobile business?
Yes. It answers your business number wherever you are, so calls are answered while you're driving, on a job or at home with the family.
Do I need a separate business phone number?
It isn't required, but many owners find a dedicated business number helps keep work and personal calls apart. CXUP connects to the number you use for your business.
How much does it cost to employ a receptionist in Perth?
Most private-sector receptionists are covered by the Clerks Award. From 1 July 2026 the minimum for Level 2, year 1 is $29.45 an hour, or $1,119.10 for a 38-hour week, which is about $58,193 a year, plus 12% super. Leave and other on-costs come on top. The right level depends on the duties, so check the award or ask Fair Work for your situation. A receptionist also does much more than answer calls. Read the Clerks Award
What's the difference between an answering service and a call centre?
A call centre is usually a large team handling high volumes of calls for bigger organisations. An answering service, or an AI receptionist like CXUP, is typically built for smaller businesses that need their own calls answered in their own name.
How is CXUP different from a virtual assistant?
A virtual assistant usually helps with admin like email and scheduling. CXUP focuses on your phone calls: answering, taking messages, booking appointments and putting urgent calls through.
Are calls recorded?
Yes. Calls are recorded and transcribed so you can review them in your client portal. Our Privacy Policy explains how that information is handled. Read our Privacy Policy
How quickly can I get started?
Most businesses are live within a few days of signing up. We learn how you answer the phone today, build your receptionist around it, connect your number and test everything before go-live.
Which areas of Perth do you cover?
We're a Perth team and set up businesses right across the metro area: the northern, southern, eastern and western suburbs and the hills, from Yanchep and Joondalup to Fremantle, Rockingham, Armadale and Kalamunda. We meet in person, over a call or on Google Meet.
Ready when your phone rings.
- We read your answersSo our first chat starts with your business, not a script.
- A real person gets in touchFrom our Perth team, by phone or email, whichever you prefer.
- We show you how CXUP could fitIf it does, we set things up around the way you work.
Plans from $149 a month incl. GST (100 minutes included). One-off setup from $599 incl. GST.
Rather talk now? 1300 01 CXUP
Disclaimer
- Examples, not resultsThe call on the phone, the times of day and the industry examples on this page are illustrations of how CXUP can work. The businesses listed are examples of who it can suit, not a client list. They aren't real customers, calls or results.
- Set up around your businessWhat your AI receptionist does depends on how it's set up with you. Booking into your calendar depends on the booking tool you use, and urgent calls are put through only where you've asked for it. It isn't designed for emergency or life-critical calls. In an emergency, call 000.
- Costs and figuresAward rates are the Clerks Award minimums from 1 July 2026 (Fair Work) and super is 12% (ATO); your costs depend on the role. Survey figures are from Twilio and YouGov (2025). This is general information, not financial, legal or employment advice.
- Prices and service areaPrices are in Australian dollars and include GST: plans from $149 a month (100 minutes included) and a one-off setup from $599, and websites from $59.99 a month, as at October 2026. Links to government websites are for general information; CXUP isn't affiliated with them. We're a Perth-based team; the suburbs listed are areas we work in, not office locations.
Full details are in our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.