{"id":4674,"date":"2025-11-25T15:54:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T04:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/firmable.com\/resources\/uncategorized\/uncategorized\/ai-sdr-cold-calling-australia-nz-2\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T14:35:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T04:35:10","slug":"ai-sdr-cold-calling-australia-nz","status":"publish","type":"resource_post","link":"https:\/\/firmable.com\/sg\/resources\/blog\/ai-sdr-cold-calling-australia-nz\/","title":{"rendered":"Will your next SDR really be an AI agent?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group gap-32 is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fde759be wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group gap-20 is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a2faef80 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>Our team recently picked up a cold call that didn\u2019t quite feel human. The voice was smooth and polite, but something was off \u2013 a slight pause after we spoke, a certain flatness in tone. Then came the kicker: it politely let us know it was an AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This wasn\u2019t sci-fi; it\u2019s happening now. In the US, sales teams are experimenting with AI-powered \u201cSDR\u201d voicebots that can dial prospects, deliver pitches, and even hold conversations. One of the biggest players, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.air.ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Air AI<\/a> claims its bots can conduct 10\u201340-minute calls that sound just like a real person \u2013 with memory, recall, and the ability to handle objections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These bots are being used for early-stage tasks like lead pre-qualification and appointment setting \u2013 essentially automating the top of the sales funnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tag1\">What&#8217;s happening in the US market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some organisations are reporting impressive results. VoiceGenie reports that one digital agency saw its cold call response rate jump from 2% to 12% in just 45 days after deploying AI voice agents. The bots responded to web leads within seconds, personalised scripts by industry, and offered to reschedule calls if the prospect was busy \u2013 all without human intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The result? Five times more meetings booked than before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s no surprise that by 2024, 43% of sales teams in the US were already using generative AI \u2013 nearly double the figure from the year before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Popular platforms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.air.ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Air AI<\/a> \u2013 advanced voice AI with long-form conversation capabilities<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elevenlabs.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ElevenLabs<\/a> \u2013 hyper-realistic voice synthesis<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.regie.ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Regie.ai<\/a> \u2013 sales outreach automation powered by AI content generation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These platforms are pitched as force multipliers \u2013 designed to automate repetitive outbound tasks and free up human reps for high-value conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tag2\">The promise of AI SDRs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI voice agents bring plenty of appeal, especially for high-volume sales environments:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>24\/7 availability: Bots don\u2019t sleep or skip dials<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scalable outreach: Thousands of calls daily, no burnout<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Low cost per touchpoint: Especially attractive in resource-constrained teams<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CRM integration: Bots can log calls, book meetings, and sync notes automatically<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contextual recall: Some tools can remember previous interactions and tailor responses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In theory, it\u2019s an SDR that never calls in sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tag3\">The risks and limitations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But not all that glitters is gold.&nbsp;Despite the hype, many teams are discovering the limits of AI voicebots. Sales forums and LinkedIn threads are filled with mixed reviews:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Calls that almost sound human\u2026 but don\u2019t quite get there<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jarring silences or mis-timed responses&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bots talking over the prospect&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confusing handoffs to human reps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The risk? Damaging trust before the relationship even begins.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And in the US, regulators are paying attention.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In February 2024, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/document\/fcc-makes-ai-generated-voices-robocalls-illegal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FCC ruled that AI-generated voice calls qualify as illegal robocalls<\/a> under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The key takeaways:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You can\u2019t use AI voice agents to cold call without prior consent&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You must disclose the use of AI at the beginning of the call&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Violations can result in heavy penalties&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2024\/8\/21\/24225435\/lingo-telecom-biden-deepfake-robocall-fcc-fine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">One telecom provider, Lingo Telecom, was fined US$1 million<\/a> for using a synthetic voice that mimicked Joe Biden in robocalls without disclosure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tag4\">Why AI cold calls aren\u2019t winning over Australia and NZ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So how does all this land in Australia and New Zealand?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With healthy scepticism \u2013 and good reason.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the ANZ region, B2B sales aren\u2019t just transactional. It&#8217;s deeply relationship-based. Whether you\u2019re selling to a mid-sized SaaS firm in Melbourne or a financial services leader in Auckland, buyers expect <strong>real conversations, real relevance, and real humans.<\/strong>&nbsp;We\u2019re not a market where anonymous, high-volume cold outreach performs well \u2013 and that goes double when the voice on the other end turns out to be synthetic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Trust is the real currency<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In smaller, tight-knit markets like Australia and New Zealand, <strong>reputation travels fast.<\/strong> That makes trust not just a \u201cnice to have\u201d\u2013 it\u2019s the foundation of every commercial relationship.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An AI voice agent that sounds \u201coff\u201d or fails to understand local context doesn\u2019t just create a poor experience \u2013 it <strong>signals a lack of effort<\/strong>. It can quickly raise red flags for decision-makers who expect tailored communication.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aussie and Kiwi buyers are also <strong>not shy about calling things out.<\/strong> If something sounds robotic, if it dodges a question, or if it fails to disclose upfront that it\u2019s AI, it\u2019s often a conversation ender.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And thanks to years of <strong>spam and scam call fatigue<\/strong>, many business leaders are already sceptical of unexpected calls. Adding a synthetic voice into the mix can feel like a shortcut \u2013 or worse, a deception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Perception matters more than performance<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if the AI call gets the job done \u2013 books the meeting, asks the right questions \u2013 it can still damage your brand if it <strong>feels unnatural or evasive.<\/strong>&nbsp;In a high-context culture like ANZ, <strong>how<\/strong> you start a conversation often matters more than what you say.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It\u2019s not just cultural \u2013 it\u2019s regulatory too<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond buyer sentiment, Australia and New Zealand have some of the <strong>strictest communications regulations<\/strong> in the world when it comes to unsolicited contact:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.donotcall.gov.au\/about\/about-the-do-not-call-register\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Do Not Call Register Act 2006<\/a> prohibits unsolicited calls to any number listed.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.au\/C2004A01214\/latest\/text\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spam Act 2003<\/a> bans unsolicited commercial messages without express consent.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.au\/Details\/F2017L00108\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Telecommunications Industry Standard 2017<\/a> mandates caller identification, opt-outs, and calling windows.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accc.gov.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australian Consumer Law<\/a> prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct \u2013 including impersonation or misrepresentation by synthetic agents.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2023, the ACMA issued more than <strong>$600,000 in penalties<\/strong> for non-compliant marketing calls. Regulators are actively monitoring AI-enabled communications, and <strong>compliance breaches aren\u2019t just reputational \u2013 they\u2019re costly.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If it\u2019s not clearly disclosed, it\u2019s not welcome<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both legally and socially, <strong>disclosure is non-negotiable.<\/strong> Any AI used in prospecting \u2013 voice or otherwise \u2013 must identify itself immediately, clearly, and accurately. Failing to do so can land you in breach of multiple regulatory frameworks and destroy trust before the real sales conversation ever begins.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And even when disclosure is handled correctly, <strong>the burden of making the message relevant, timely and respectful still applies.<\/strong> Anything less feels like spam \u2013 even if it\u2019s dressed up in a realistic voice clone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tag5\">Augment, don\u2019t replace \u2013 how Firmable uses AI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Firmable Co-CEO Leigh Jasper says:&nbsp;<em>\u201cAI agents aren\u2019t replacing sellers \u2013 they\u2019re replacing the old way of selling.\u201d<\/em><br>At Firmable, this isn\u2019t a theoretical debate \u2013 we\u2019ve had prospects ask if our reps are AI.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We take it as a compliment. It means our outreach is timely, on-target, and tailored \u2013 but make no mistake, it\u2019s powered by humans. What sets us apart is that we use AI to make our SDRs better, not to replace them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a relationship-first market like Australia and New Zealand, a synthetic voice won\u2019t build rapport \u2013 but a real rep, backed by the right insights, can. That\u2019s where AI earns its keep.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How AI supports our SDRs (not substitutes them)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We believe AI should be <strong>a multiplier<\/strong>, not a mouthpiece.&nbsp;That\u2019s why our team uses AI to:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Build and filter ICP-aligned target lists&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Surface <strong>timely buyer signals<\/strong> based on hiring, tech adoption, growth, and more&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Draft first-pass outreach tailored to industry, persona, and stage&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recommend messaging based on what\u2019s worked before&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transcribe calls and generate coaching insights&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Automate follow-up after the first connect&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>AI does the heavy lifting on admin, research, and timing \u2013 so our SDRs can focus on what they do best: <strong>human connection<\/strong>.<a href=\"https:\/\/firmable.com\/ai-signals-b2b-intent-data\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn how AI signals help our reps reach buyers at the right time<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<strong>AI and humans: better together<\/strong>&nbsp;We\u2019ve seen first-hand that <strong>AI sales agents and human reps aren\u2019t in competition \u2013 they\u2019re complementary<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI tools are best used to accelerate workflows, reduce grunt work, and make every touch more relevant.<br>But the conversation? That\u2019s still better with a human on the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/firmable.com\/ai-sales-agents-vs-human-reps-complementary-or-competitive\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Explore our view: AI sales agents vs human reps<\/a><br>We don\u2019t believe in brute-force automation. We believe in <strong>smart outreach<\/strong>, built around signal-based targeting and ethical practices \u2013 all backed by verified, local data.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>More productivity. More predictability. Still human.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we shared in our deep-dive on <a href=\"https:\/\/firmable.com\/how-ai-agents-are-transforming-b2b-sales-in-anz\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how AI agents are transforming B2B sales in ANZ<\/a>, the biggest wins from AI don\u2019t come from removing humans \u2013 they come from <strong>removing friction<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With AI taking care of the backend \u2013 targeting, timing, prep \u2013 our reps can show up with the right context, have better conversations, and drive more predictable pipeline.&nbsp;In short? We keep the humans in the loop \u2013 and put AI in their corner.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tag6\">Where AI voice might fit in ANZ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are use cases where an AI voice could make sense \u2013 for example:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Confirming a scheduled demo&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Routing inbound support or pre-sales calls&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Following up with opt-in leads in off-hours&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>AI also has potential in research-heavy tasks like case study prep or persona testing \u2013 areas where speed matters, but trust isn\u2019t at risk.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But even these must follow the letter of the law \u2013 and the spirit of local trust expectations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bar is high: full disclosure, clear handoff, warm context, and robust compliance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s up to Sales and Revops leaders to set the guardrails \u2013 from compliance checks to testing protocols \u2013 before AI agents go live.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tag7\">Conclusion: Keeping it real (with a little help from AI)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;AI voicebots are generating buzz \u2013 and in the US, they\u2019re being tested hard. Some teams are seeing faster dials, faster follow-ups, and more meetings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But they\u2019re also seeing compliance fines, trust breakdowns, and backlash.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Australia and New Zealand, where sales run on relationships and straight talk, full AI cold calls are unlikely to gain mainstream traction anytime soon.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At Firmable, we\u2019re committed to keeping sales human-first \u2013 with AI in the background, making every call smarter, better timed, and more relevant.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because the best conversations still happen person to person \u2013 especially when your prospect starts the call wondering, \u201cAre you real?\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rest assured, we are. But we\u2019ve got a little AI in our corner too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/firmable.com\/sales-development-reps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See how human SDRs, backed by AI signals, can reach the right buyers at the right time<\/a>.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-faqs-on-ai-sdrs\">FAQs on AI SDRs<br><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1777349030982\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Do AI cold calls work in ANZ?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">AI cold calls can create quick volume, but they rarely perform well in ANZ. Buyers in Australia and New Zealand prefer relevance and a real conversation, so synthetic voices often feel unnatural and reduce trust.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1777349204798\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Are AI cold calls legal in ANZ?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, as long as they follow existing communications laws. In Australia, this includes the Do Not Call Register Act, the Spam Act, the Telecommunications Industry Standard, and the Australian Consumer Law. AI must be clearly disclosed at the start of the call to remain compliant.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1777349229508\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Will AI SDRs replace human SDRs?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Unlikely. AI is strong at research, timing, and admin, but it struggles with local nuance and relationship building. Human-led conversations remain essential in a trust-driven market like Australia and New Zealand.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1777349250475\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How can AI agents in Firmable help SDR and AE productivity?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Firmable\u2019s AI agents can research accounts, summarise company context, and surface key signals before a call or email. This reduces manual prep time and helps reps enter every conversation with relevant local insight, rather than spending hours digging through tabs and search results.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1777349268925\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What are the biggest risks of using AI voice in cold outreach?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The main risks are trust erosion, poor buyer experience, and non-compliance. Delayed responses, unnatural tone, or unclear disclosure can create negative impressions or put teams at regulatory risk.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1777349286741\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the best way to get started with AI sales tools?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Begin by defining your Ideal Customer Profile for key APAC markets and connecting Firmable to your CRM. Use Firmable to build and enrich target lists and trigger outreach based on signals. Once that foundation is in place, layer in AI driven outreach, call intelligence, and coaching tools that plug into the same data and workflows. This avoids \u201ctool sprawl\u201d and keeps your stack simple, accurate, and easy for reps to adopt.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>AI voicebots are shaking up outbound sales in the US \u2013 but will ANZ buyers trust a synthetic voice? We break down what works (and what backfires), explore key compliance rules, and share why Firmable backs real reps, supported by smart signals. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":7873,"parent":0,"template":"","resource_tag_cat":[],"resource_cat":[394,329],"type_cat":[361],"class_list":["post-4674","resource_post","type-resource_post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","resource_cat-building-a-b2b-sales-team","resource_cat-ai-sales-tools","type_cat-blog"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Meet your next SDR\u2026 it\u2019s an AI agent<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"AI cold calls are booming in the US \u2013 but do they work in ANZ? 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