What is the ROI of AI automation for small business?

Most small businesses see 200-500% ROI in the first year. A $5,000 automation that saves 10 hours per week at $50/hour pays for itself in 10 weeks, then generates $26,000 in annual savings.

How long does AI automation take to implement?

Simple automations take 1-2 weeks, mid-range projects 2-6 weeks, and complex enterprise automation 6-12 weeks. Most SMB projects are completed within 4 weeks.

Do I need technical staff to maintain AI automation?

No. Modern automation platforms like Make.com are designed for non-technical users. Your consultant should build automations that your team can monitor and adjust without coding skills.

What are the ongoing costs of AI automation?

For most Australian SMBs, expect $200-$800/month in total ongoing costs including platform subscriptions ($50-$500/month), AI API usage ($20-$200/month), maintenance ($200-$1,000/month if using a consultant), and hosting ($20-$100/month).

How long does AI automation implementation take?

Simple automations take 1-2 weeks to implement. Complex projects require 4-12 weeks. AI agents with custom training typically take 2-3 months from start to finish.

How Much Does AI Automation Cost for a Small Business in Australia?

Last Updated: February 6, 2026 AI automation for a small business in Australia typically costs between $2,000 and $50,000, depending on the complexity of workflows and level of customisation required. Most SMBs start with simple automations in the $2,000-$10,000 range and see ROI within 3-6 months.

Key Takeaways

In summary, AI automation costs for Australian small businesses break down into three main tiers. Entry-level automation runs $2,000-$5,000 for simple workflows using templates. Mid-range projects cost $5,000-$20,000 for custom integrations across multiple systems. Enterprise-grade solutions range from $20,000-$50,000+ for AI agents with complex logic. Most Australian SMBs achieve 200-400% ROI within 12 months, with ongoing costs of $200-$2,000 monthly for subscriptions and maintenance. - Entry-level automation: $2,000-$5,000 (simple workflows, templates) - Mid-range projects: $5,000-$20,000 (custom integrations, multiple systems) - Enterprise-grade: $20,000-$50,000+ (AI agents, complex logic, ongoing support) - Most Australian SMBs see 200-400% ROI within 12 months - Ongoing costs: $200-$2,000/month for platform subscriptions and maintenance

What Affects AI Automation Pricing?

The key factors determining AI automation costs are system complexity, business logic requirements, customisation level, and ongoing support needs. A simple two-system integration costs significantly less than connecting six platforms with conditional AI decision-making. Off-the-shelf templates reduce costs compared to custom-built solutions, while ongoing support packages add $500-$2,000 monthly for businesses requiring regular optimisation.

Number of Systems to Connect

The more software tools you need to integrate (CRM, accounting, project management, email), the more complex the automation. A simple two-system integration costs less than connecting six platforms with conditional logic.

Complexity of Business Logic

Straightforward "if this, then that" automations are cheaper than workflows requiring AI decision-making, document processing, or natural language understanding.

Level of Customisation

Off-the-shelf templates and pre-built integrations cost less than custom-built solutions designed specifically for your business processes.

Ongoing Support Requirements

Some businesses need set-and-forget automations; others require regular updates, monitoring, and optimisation. Support packages typically add $500-$2,000/month.

Typical Pricing Tiers in Australia

Australian AI automation pricing falls into three distinct tiers: Starter ($2,000-$5,000), Growth ($5,000-$20,000), and Scale ($20,000-$50,000+). The Starter tier covers simple automations like lead capture and invoice generation. Growth tier handles core operations including client onboarding and multi-channel marketing. Scale tier delivers AI agents, intelligent document processing, and predictive analytics for businesses ready to transform their operations.

Starter Tier: $2,000-$5,000

Best for: Businesses automating 1-2 simple processes Examples: - Automatic lead capture from website to CRM - Invoice generation and sending - Appointment reminders via SMS - Social media post scheduling

Growth Tier: $5,000-$20,000

Best for: Businesses ready to automate core operations Examples: - End-to-end client onboarding - Multi-channel marketing automation - Quote-to-invoice workflows - Customer support ticket routing - Compliance documentation automation

Scale Tier: $20,000-$50,000+

Best for: Businesses replacing manual processes with AI agents Examples: - AI-powered customer service agents - Intelligent document processing - Predictive analytics and reporting - Multi-location operations coordination - Custom AI models trained on your data

How to Calculate Your ROI

The most important metric is not what automation costs, but what you're losing without it—most Australian SMBs achieve ROI within 3-6 months. Calculate savings by multiplying hours saved weekly by staff hourly cost across 52 weeks. Add error prevention savings and revenue gains from faster response times. For example, a trades business spending 10 hours weekly on admin at $50/hour saves $26,000 annually, meaning a $10,000 automation pays for itself in under 5 months. Calculate your potential ROI: 1. Hours saved per week × hourly cost of staff × 52 weeks = Annual savings 2. Errors prevented × cost per error = Error savings 3. Faster response time × additional revenue captured = Revenue gain Example: A trades business spending 10 hours/week on admin at $50/hour equivalent saves $26,000/year. A $10,000 automation investment pays for itself in under 5 months.

What About Ongoing Costs?

Ongoing AI automation costs for Australian SMBs typically range from $200-$800 per month, covering platform subscriptions, AI API usage, and maintenance. Platform subscriptions like Make.com or Zapier run $50-$500 monthly. AI API usage (OpenAI, Claude) adds $20-$200. Consultant maintenance costs $200-$1,000 monthly if needed, plus $20-$100 for hosting. These ongoing costs are essential to budget for sustainable automation. Most AI automation solutions have monthly costs: - Platform subscriptions: $50-$500/month (Make.com, Zapier, etc.) - AI API usage: $20-$200/month (OpenAI, Claude, etc.) - Maintenance and updates: $200-$1,000/month (if using a consultant) - Hosting and infrastructure: $20-$100/month For most Australian SMBs, expect $200-$800/month in total ongoing costs for a well-built automation system.

How to Get Started Without Breaking the Bank

The smartest approach is starting small with one painful process, proving ROI, then expanding systematically. Use existing platforms like Make.com and Zapier to reduce custom development costs. Choose an Australian consultant for faster implementation with local timezone support. Always ask for a pilot proof-of-concept before committing to larger investments—good consultants welcome this approach. 1. Start small: Automate one painful process first, prove ROI, then expand 2. Use existing platforms: Make.com, Zapier, and similar tools reduce custom development costs 3. Choose an Australian consultant: Local expertise means faster implementation and AU-timezone support 4. Ask for a pilot: Good consultants will propose a small proof-of-concept before large investments

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AI automation worth it for a business with less than 20 employees?

Absolutely. Smaller teams often see the biggest impact because automation frees up people who are already stretched thin. A $5,000 automation that saves 5 hours per week effectively adds a part-time employee to your team.

Can I automate without technical skills?

Yes. Modern automation platforms like Make.com and Zapier are designed for non-technical users. For more complex AI implementations, working with a consultant means you do not need in-house technical expertise.

How long does implementation take?

Simple automations: 1-2 weeks. Complex projects: 4-12 weeks. AI agents with custom training: 2-3 months.

What if my business processes change?

Good automation systems are built to be flexible. Budget for quarterly reviews and updates, typically $500-$2,000 per session, to keep your automations aligned with business changes.

Do I need to replace my existing software?

Rarely. Most automation connects your existing tools rather than replacing them. The goal is to make your current stack work together seamlessly. --- Flowtivity helps Australian SMBs implement AI automation that pays for itself. Based on the Gold Coast, we specialise in Make.com workflows, AI agents, and custom integrations for businesses with 10-200 employees. Get in touch for a free automation assessment. --- DIY automation guides at Automate My Work — reduce costs by doing some automation yourself. --- DIY automation guides at Automate My Work — reduce costs by doing some automation yourself.