Small Office Phone Systems & Packages for Australian Businesses

Choosing the right phone system for a small office means finding the right balance between cost, reliability and features. Modern small office phone systems can combine business calling, VoIP, cloud PBX, call routing, voicemail and mobile or desktop apps in one solution.

Small business phone system packages can be configured around the number of users, phone numbers, handsets and calling features your business actually needs. This makes it easier to start with a simple office phone setup and add users or functionality as your business grows.

In this guide, we compare the main phone system options for Australian small businesses, the features worth considering and what to look for when choosing a package.

Small Office Phone Systems Explained

A small office phone system manages incoming and outgoing business calls across your team. Unlike a basic residential phone service, business systems can provide features such as call transfer, extensions, auto attendants, voicemail, call queues and business phone numbers.

Many Australian small businesses now use cloud-based VoIP phone systems. Instead of maintaining a traditional PBX at the office, calls are managed through a hosted platform and delivered over an internet connection.

Employees can make and receive business calls using desk phones, computers or mobile apps, making cloud phone systems particularly useful for businesses with remote or hybrid staff.

A small office can start with only a few users and expand the system as additional employees, locations or phone numbers are required.

Types of Phone Systems for Small Businesses

Small businesses generally have three main options when choosing an office phone system.

Hosted VoIP / Cloud PBX

A cloud phone system hosts the core phone infrastructure remotely. Businesses pay for users or services rather than maintaining a physical PBX server at the office. This is often suitable for small businesses that want flexibility and easy scalability.

On-Premise PBX

A traditional PBX operates from hardware installed at the business premises. It can provide greater local control but usually requires more hardware, maintenance and technical management.

Microsoft Teams Phone

Businesses already using Microsoft Teams can integrate external business calling into Teams. Employees can then manage internal collaboration and external calls through the same platform.

Essential Features of a Small Office Phone System

When comparing small business phone system packages, consider the features your employees actually need rather than choosing a system based only on the number of included features.

Useful features can include:

• Business phone numbers
• Call forwarding and transfer
• Auto attendant and IVR
• Voicemail to email
• Call queues
• Call recording
• Mobile and desktop apps
• Video and team collaboration
• Call reporting and analytics
• Microsoft Teams integration
• 1300 and 1800 numbers
• CRM integrations

A small office may only require basic calling, extensions and voicemail, while a growing business may benefit from call queues, analytics, integrations and mobile applications. If you’re ready to modernize your workflow, you can explore our tailored integration options to find the right fit for your team.

As you transition these services to the cloud, maintaining robust Cybersecurity for Small Businesses is a non-negotiable requirement to protect your data and maintain client confidentiality.

Small Business Phone System Packages & Costs

Small business phone system packages are usually priced according to the number of users, required features, phone numbers and hardware.

A package may include:

• Monthly VoIP or cloud PBX licences
• Business phone numbers
• Desk phones or cordless handsets
• Mobile and desktop applications
• Call routing and voicemail
• Number porting
• Setup and configuration
• Ongoing technical support

When comparing packages, look beyond the advertised monthly price. Check whether handsets, installation, number porting, support and advanced calling features are included or charged separately.

Cloud systems can also reduce the need for businesses to purchase and maintain traditional PBX hardware, making them easier to scale as the number of employees changes.

How Much Does a Small Office Phone System Cost?

The cost of a small office phone system depends on the number of users, hardware and calling features required. A small team using cloud VoIP may only need user licences and a few handsets, while businesses requiring advanced call routing, recording, integrations or multiple locations will require a more customised package.

Comparing the total monthly and setup costs provides a more useful picture than comparing licence prices alone.

Internet Requirements for Small Business VoIP

Because VoIP phone systems carry calls over the internet, connection quality can affect call performance. Businesses should have sufficient bandwidth, low latency and a stable connection for the number of simultaneous calls they expect to make.

Quality of Service (QoS) can also prioritise voice traffic over less time-sensitive internet activity, helping maintain call quality when the network is busy.

Businesses that depend heavily on their phone system may also consider backup connectivity to maintain communications during an internet outage.

How to Choose the Right Small Office Phone System

Start by identifying how your employees currently use the phone system and what is likely to change as the business grows.

Consider:

• Number of employees and extensions
• Number of simultaneous calls
• Desk phones versus mobile or desktop calling
• Existing business numbers that need to be ported
• Remote and hybrid employees
• Call queues and auto attendants
• Microsoft Teams or CRM integration
• Multiple office locations
• Reporting or call recording requirements
• Available business internet connection
• Installation and ongoing support

For many small businesses, a hosted VoIP or cloud PBX system provides a practical balance between features, scalability and management. However, the right configuration depends on how your team communicates rather than simply choosing the package with the most features.

Small Business Phone Systems from Broadconnect

BroadConnect provides business phone systems for Australian organisations, including hosted VoIP, cloud PBX, Microsoft Teams calling and business connectivity solutions.

Small businesses can configure a phone system around their number of users, locations, handsets and required calling features, with Australian-based support available for setup and ongoing management.

If you’re unsure which option suits your office, speak with Broadconnect about your current phone setup and future requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is typically included in a small business phone system package?

Modern small business phone system packages typically include a Hosted Cloud PBX for call routing, unified communication tools for video and chat, and virtual mobile capabilities. Professional-tier offerings often bundle these with inbound numbers like 1300 or 1800 codes and managed security features. This ensures your organization has a single, unified ecosystem rather than a collection of disparate tools.

Can I use my existing internet connection for a professional phone system?

You can use an existing connection, but professional voice quality often requires a managed internet service with specific Quality of Service (QoS) protocols. Standard residential-tier NBN may lack the upload capacity and voice priority needed to prevent jitter during peak usage. A dedicated business-grade connection ensures your critical client calls remain crystal clear and uninterrupted by other data traffic. For individuals seeking specialized consumer guides on connectivity for seniors, you can learn more about finding value-driven options.

What is the best phone system for a small office?

The best phone system for a small office depends on the number of users, required features and budget. Hosted VoIP and cloud phone systems are popular for small offices because they are scalable and can support desk phones, computers and mobile devices.

How much does a small office phone system cost?

Small office phone system costs depend on the number of users, handsets, phone numbers and calling features required. Businesses should compare monthly service costs as well as hardware, setup, number porting and support fees.

How does Microsoft Teams integrate with a business phone package?

Integration occurs through Direct Routing, which adds professional external voice capabilities to the standard Teams interface. This allows your staff to use one application for internal collaboration, video meetings, and external phone calls. It simplifies your workflow by consolidating all communication data into a single, manageable platform that your team already uses daily.

What is the difference between a 1300 number and a standard landline?

A 1300 number is a virtual national number that isn’t tied to a physical geographic location, unlike a standard landline with a local area code. It allows your business to project a national presence and route calls to any device within your network. This flexibility is essential for organizations with remote staff or multiple office locations across Australia.

Is a cloud-based phone system secure for sensitive business calls?

Cloud-based systems are highly secure when they’re implemented with managed firewalls and enterprise-grade encryption. Professional providers use encrypted voice traffic to protect your data and prevent unauthorized access or toll fraud. This level of security ensures that your sensitive business communications remain confidential and compliant with Australian corporate standards.

How long does it take to set up a new hosted PBX system?

Initial system configuration for a hosted PBX can often be completed within a few business days. The total timeline usually depends on the complexity of your call flows and the time required to port existing numbers from your current provider. We manage the technical transition to ensure your business experiences no downtime during the migration process.

Do I need to buy new hardware to use a modern phone system?

New hardware isn’t strictly necessary because modern systems work seamlessly with softphones on computers and mobile devices. If you prefer physical desk phones, you can select from a range of compatible IP handsets. Alternatively, SIP Trunking allows you to bridge your existing on-premise hardware to the cloud, preserving your previous technology investments.

What happens to my phone system if the NBN goes down?

Your phone system remains active in the cloud even if your local office NBN connection fails. Because the intelligence resides off-site, calls can be automatically rerouted to mobile apps or secondary office locations instantly. This built-in redundancy ensures your business stays reachable for clients while your local internet service is being restored.