Virtual receptionist for Australian businesses
Never miss a call, without hiring a front desk. Every missed call is a missed customer. A virtual receptionist makes sure someone (or something) always picks up, books the job, and gets the message to you, for a fraction of a local front-desk wage.
Why a virtual receptionist beats a missed call (or a $60k front desk)
Every call answered
Missed calls are missed revenue - most callers won't leave a voicemail, they just ring the next business. A virtual receptionist makes sure someone always picks up.
A fraction of the cost
A local front-desk hire runs roughly $35-45/hr loaded, plus super, leave and downtime. A VA receptionist is $12-17/hr for only the hours you need; the AI receptionist is from $89/month.
Books the job, not just the message
Your receptionist books straight into your calendar or booking system, applies your rules, and sends reminders that cut no-shows - so calls turn into appointments.
Answered in your name
Callers never know it's remote. Your VA answers exactly as you script it from your number; the AI is configured with your greeting and FAQs before it goes live.
After-hours virtual receptionist and overflow cover
The honest answer first: a dedicated VA receptionist is a person, and they answer on the staffed business hours you book them for. Nobody's $12-17/hr human is picking up your line at 2am, and we won't pretend otherwise. After hours is what the AI receptionist for small business is for: it answers 24/7, books appointments against your real availability, captures the caller's details and texts you a summary, so the 7:30pm enquiry is a booked job waiting for you in the morning rather than a voicemail nobody left.
Overflow works the same way. When your line is engaged or rings out on a busy morning, calls forward to the AI instead of leaking to the next business on the list. The most common setup we run is the hybrid: the VA receptionist (or your own team) on staffed hours, the AI catching nights, weekends and the busy-day spill, so no call rings out at either end of the day.
Virtual receptionists for businesses across Australia
DotVA is Melbourne-managed and places dedicated VA receptionists for businesses anywhere in Australia, working your local hours - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and beyond. There's no office to visit; your receptionist works remotely on your number.
City guides with local hiring-cost comparisons: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Newcastle, Gold Coast, Hobart, Geelong, Wollongong, Darwin and Sunshine Coast.
Industry guides, where reception has its own rules: legal virtual receptionist for law firms, medical virtual receptionist for GP and specialist rooms, and dental virtual receptionist for practices run on recalls.
Virtual receptionist questions
What does a virtual receptionist do?
A virtual receptionist answers your incoming calls on your business hours, greets callers in your business name, takes messages, books and reschedules appointments, answers common questions, and routes anything urgent straight to you. With DotVA it is a dedicated person (a VA on a softphone) or, for 24/7 cover, an AI receptionist, depending on which fits your call volume.
How much does a virtual receptionist cost in Australia?
A dedicated VA receptionist runs $12-17/hr AUD, billed for the hours you need (most small businesses use part-time cover). The AI receptionist starts at $89/month plus setup for 24/7 phone and chat answering. Both are a fraction of a local front-desk hire at roughly $35-45/hr loaded, with no office, super or downtime to pay for.
Will the receptionist answer in my business name?
Yes. Your VA receptionist answers exactly as you script it, follows your call-handling process, and works from your softphone/number so callers never know it is remote. The AI receptionist is configured with your greeting, FAQs and booking rules before it goes live.
Person or AI - which should I choose?
A dedicated VA suits businesses that want a real person, judgement on tricky calls, and overflow admin handled between calls (inbox, bookings, follow-ups). The AI receptionist suits high or after-hours volume where you need every call answered 24/7 and consistent capture. Many clients run both: the VA on business hours, AI for overflow and after-hours. We will tell you honestly which fits on a quick call.
Can a virtual receptionist book into my calendar or booking system?
Yes. Your receptionist books directly into your calendar or booking software (Cliniko, Halaxy, Calendly, GoHighLevel and similar), applies your availability rules, and sends confirmations and reminders to cut no-shows. You grant scoped access to only what they need.
How fast can it start?
A dedicated VA receptionist is typically matched and placed within 7-10 days. The AI receptionist can be configured and live faster once we have your greeting, FAQs and booking rules. Start with a free discovery call and we will map call volume, hours and the right setup.
Book a free discovery call
30 minutes with Jenn, the founder. Tell her your call volume and hours; she'll tell you honestly whether a VA receptionist, the AI receptionist, or both is the right fit, and what it costs. No obligation.
Step 2 of 2
One step left: pick your time
Your details are with Jenn, but the call is not in her diary yet. Pick a time and it is locked in, about 20 seconds. Within 48 hours of the call you will have a written recap: the tasks we would delegate first, an indicative cost and a timeline.
Pick a time with Jenn now →Nothing that suits? Call (03) 9961 6076 and we will book it around you. Or leave it and Jenn will email you within one business day.
Looking for a VA job?
This form books a call with our client team.
It won't reach our hiring team, so it can't book you an interview. DotVA hires virtual assistants from the top 1% through a separate application system. If you think that's you, apply there with your resume, a short video and (if you have one) a little portfolio.
Apply at apply.dotva.com.au →Actually a business looking to hire a VA? Call (03) 9961 6076 or email [email protected] and we will sort it out.
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