Upfirst

A smarter AI answering service for Aussie businesses

Take messages

Capture every caller’s details with custom message-taking, and get instant notifications by SMS or email—never miss an opportunity.

Answer questions

Set up answers to your most common questions, so customers get the info they need on the spot—no more endless phone tag.

Illustration of an AI answering service in action, showing a smartphone screen with a caller and chat bubbles where the AI answers calls, books appointments, and collects caller information.

Book appointments

Easily book in appointments by sending callers to your online calendar, or have us collect their preferred dates and times for you.

Transfer calls

Need urgent calls sent straight through? Upfirst can transfer calls to you or your team, so the right person always handles the right call.

See all features

Australian virtual receptionist

How to set up your answering service in Australia

Get set up in minutes and start greeting your callers with a friendly, professional receptionist—24/7, in English or your preferred language.

1. Add your information

Share a few details about your business. Let us know how you’d like us to handle your calls—whether it’s taking messages, scheduling appointments, or transferring important calls to your mobile.

Upfirst AI receptionist setup screen showing how a real estate agent can add info about showing availability and buyer/seller services.

2. Set the rules

Pick a local Australian number with your preferred area code. To activate your number, you’ll just need to provide your business registration and a proof of address. Our support team is here to help with any questions.

Call transfer rule setup for a real estate agent, showing how to forward tour requests or property inquiries to a mobile number.

3. Forward your calls

Relax knowing you’ll never miss a call again. Every caller gets a warm, helpful response, and you’ll receive instant summaries by text or email so you can follow up whenever you’re ready.

AI receptionist greeting an incoming call for Lemon Tree Real Estate, demonstrating 24/7 answering service for realtors.

4. Never miss a call again

Whether it’s a new buyer, seller, or tenant calling, your AI answering service answers 24/7. You’ll get a detailed call summary by text and email so you can follow up fast.

Call summary and transcript of a real estate lead asking about a 3-bedroom home, showing how Upfirst captures buyer inquiries for real estate agents.

Get an Australian phone number

What information is needed to get a virtual number in Australia?

To comply with Australian regulations, anyone looking to activate a virtual phone number must provide a **local address in Australia**. This helps ensure that phone numbers are used responsibly and are connected to real people or businesses.Once your Australian virtual number is set up, you can forward calls from your existing number so that your Upfirst AI receptionist can answer them seamlessly.

key features

Unlock Your Australian Number and Professional AI Receptionist

Upfirst gives small businesses advanced call answering tools, so you never miss a call and always look professional.

24/7 live call answering

Stay connected around the clock. Answer every call and capture leads automatically even when you're busy or out of office.

Bilingual receptionist

Speak with callers in English, Mandarin, and 90+ other languages. Easily connect with Australia's diverse community.

Lead capture

Collect lead details the moment they call. Qualify leads and tell us the right questions to ask callers.

Appointment scheduling

Let your realtor virtual receptionist set up showings and appointments. Send calendar links live on the call to interested clients.

Customized scripting

Shape every conversation whether the caller is a seller, buyer, landlords, or even tenants. Customize call handling how you want.

Call forwarding

Forward calls fast to the right person. Set up call routing rules and transfer callers when it matches your criteria.

Emergency dispatching

Handle urgent tenant calls without delay. Dispatch them to the appropriate on-call maintenance worker.

Detailed call summaries

Receive detailed summary of each call, allowing you to follow up effectively. Upfirst also captures a recording and the full transcript, just in case.

Australia answering service FAQs

Have a question that isn't answered here? Get in touch with our team.

How does my business benefit from your answering service?

Our Australian answering service ensures that your business never misses a customer call, no matter the time of day. By having a professional, local receptionist answer on your behalf, you present a polished, trustworthy image to every caller. We help you capture more leads, boost customer satisfaction, and free up your team to focus on core work instead of managing incoming calls. Whether you’re a small business or growing fast, our flexible plans scale with you and help you stay responsive to every opportunity.

How long does it take to get set up with a local Australia number?

Setup is fast and easy. Once you sign up and provide your Australian business address, we can typically provision your new local number within minutes. In most cases, your answering service is ready to take calls on the same business day. If you need call forwarding or advanced features, our team can walk you through setup to make sure everything works perfectly from the start.

Can I keep my existing business phone number?

Absolutely! You don’t have to change your current number. You can simply forward your existing landline, mobile, or 1300 number to your new Upfirst answering service number. Your callers will never notice a difference, and you’ll keep using your familiar business contact details on your website, business cards, and advertising.

Are there any after-hours or weekend surcharges?

Our answering service offers true 24/7 coverage, including weekends and public holidays. Some plans include after-hours support at no extra cost, while others may have a small surcharge for calls outside standard business hours. We’ll always be upfront about pricing, so you can choose the plan that fits your needs and budget with no surprises.

Australia virtual phone numbers with AI answering