The websites of AI firms read much the same. Ten plain questions cut through that, each with an answer you can check and a bad answer that gives itself away. We have also set out the published Australian price points, so you can judge a quote before you sign anything.
Published prices, checked 15 October 2026
These are the starting figures on each firm's own page on the day we checked. They are not quotes, and we have not checked what any firm delivers at these prices.
- Melbourne AI Agents: $490 one-time setup, then $199 a month for each one set up, excluding GST. AI subscriptions and hosting are extra, and new builds, custom integrations and on-site work are quoted separately. Pricing page.
- FlowWorks: assessments from $1,500, and implementations from $3,500 to $25,000-plus, depending on scope. The page does not say whether these include GST. Home page FAQ.
- Osher Digital: "AI agents" from $4,000 + GST, automations from $5,000 + GST, a process audit from $7,500 + GST, and your own business system from $15,000 + GST. Home page.
- Team 400: "Fast Packages" from $25,000, and custom AI projects that "typically range from $50,000 to $250,000", depending on integration, data and scale. Home page FAQ.
A starting price is the cheapest version of the job, so ask what it includes. The Melbourne AI Agents page, for example, includes one hour a month of help or minor configuration changes, and says AI subscriptions and hosting are separate. A quote that leaves those out is not a total. Ask for the setup, the monthly fee, the support hours, who maintains the build, and what a second build costs. If a quote sits well outside these ranges, ask what is in it.
Ten questions, with a good and a bad answer
| # | Question | A good answer sounds like | A bad answer sounds like |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Show me the logs. | "Here is last Tuesday: what it did, what it was based on, and who said yes." | "Our team watches everything, so you won't need to see it." |
| 2 | What happens when it's wrong? | "It says so. The miss stays on the record, and we tell you what we changed." | "It's very accurate. Clients rarely see problems." |
| 3 | Who owns the accounts? | "You do. Your email, records and logins stay in your name, and you can take them." | "They're set up on our side. You'd need to ask us for an export." |
| 4 | What makes the bill go up? | "A set price for the build, a monthly fee, and anything extra in writing before we start." | "It depends on usage. We'll see how things go." |
| 5 | Where is my data processed? | "We name the country and the cloud region, and every AI provider, and the privacy policy says so." | "It's in the cloud. Don't worry about where." |
| 6 | Can I switch you off? | "Yes. Give the date, access ends, and records go back to you or are deleted as agreed." | "Cancelling takes a call and a notice period we'll confirm later." |
| 7 | Who reads my data? | "A short list of roles, and each AI provider's terms, which you can read." | "Only our trusted team." |
| 8 | What does it not do? | "It doesn't send, pay, sign or agree to anything without a person saying yes, and it lists what it can't see." | "It does everything you need." |
| 9 | How do you measure success? | "Named measures, a starting point, a date, and what we do if it misses." | "Clients tell us they save hours a week." |
| 10 | What happens if you stop trading? | "Your records and accounts go back to you on a stated timeline, and the contract says so." | "We're not going anywhere." |
On logs and mistakes (questions 1 and 2). The OAIC's checklist for commercially available AI products asks whether there are processes to monitor AI systems "to ensure they are operating as intended", and whether there are "regular audits or reviews". It also asks whether a human is responsible for verifying the accuracy of personal information an AI produces. A good answer names the people, the review dates and the record. A bad one describes a feeling.
On data and training (questions 5 and 7). Under APP 1.4(f) and (g), your privacy policy must say whether you are likely to disclose personal information overseas, and in which countries if that is practicable. Under APP 8.1, you must take reasonable steps to make sure an overseas recipient does not breach the APPs. The OAIC asks whether the service terms give the developer access to what you put in, or allow it to collect that data for further training. If the answer does not mention training, ask for that in writing.
On the end of the relationship (questions 3, 6 and 10). Under APP 11.2, personal information you no longer need must be destroyed or de-identified, unless a law or court order requires you to keep it. Get the return and deletion steps written into the contract, with dates.
For the privacy rules in more detail, see our piece on AI and the Privacy Act.
Ask us the same ten
Ask us the same ten. The Trust page answers the first four in plain words. Ask us the rest in writing.
Command is a private system that sets itself up around one business. It watches dates like these and the news that touches your clients, and tells you early. Give us one past deal and we'll show you the day you could have known. → First look
This is general information, not legal advice. Get advice for your own situation before you sign a contract.
Sources
- Melbourne AI Agents, managed AI agents pricing, checked 15 October 2026: melbourneaiagents.com.au.
- FlowWorks, home page FAQ, checked 15 October 2026: flowworks.com.au.
- Osher Digital, home page services and FAQ, checked 15 October 2026: osher.com.au.
- Team 400, home page FAQ, checked 15 October 2026: team400.ai.
- OAIC, Privacy and the use of commercially available AI products (guidance): oaic.gov.au.
- OAIC, Checklist: privacy considerations when using commercially available AI products: oaic.gov.au (PDF).
- Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), compilation dated 4 June 2026, APP 1.4, APP 8.1 and APP 11.2: legislation.gov.au.