Perth's AI consulting market has matured quickly. If you're a business owner trying to figure out who can actually help you implement AI, this guide breaks down the five most notable firms operating in Perth right now. Each targets a different type of client, so the right choice depends on your business size, budget, and what you're trying to build.
- Forge & Lever — SMB-focused custom AI apps and workflow automation (from $2,000)
- Hello People AI — Established custom software and AI with 14+ years experience
- AI Advancements — LLM solutions, computer vision, and technical AI builds
- Austin Technology — AI consulting with local IT support and managed services
- The Start — AI consultancy for government and enterprise clients
Full disclosure: Forge & Lever is our company. We've included ourselves because we're active in this market, but we've made every effort to represent each firm fairly. Different businesses need different things, and we'd rather you find the right fit than just pick us.
"Australia's AI market is projected to reach US$5.23 billion by 2030, growing at 28.4% CAGR. Perth businesses are increasingly adopting AI to compete nationally and globally."
— Statista, Artificial Intelligence Market Report, Australia 2024[1]1. Forge & Lever — Custom AI Apps for Perth SMBs
Specialty: Custom AI applications, workflow automation, and AI integration for small-to-medium businesses (5–50 employees). Founded: 2024. Our company
Forge & Lever focuses exclusively on making AI practical for SMBs. That means building custom applications, automating repetitive workflows, and integrating AI into existing business processes — not writing strategy decks. The founder, Ben Connor, has 7+ years of software development experience and previously ran a small services business, which shapes a hands-on, operator-first approach.
What stands out: Pricing transparency is rare in consulting. Forge & Lever publishes starting prices on their website (from $2,000 for projects, from $500/month for ongoing support) and offers a free AI audit as the entry point. Every project is founder-led, so there's no handoff to junior staff.
Best for: Perth SMBs that want custom AI solutions built and deployed, not a 50-page strategy document. Especially suited to businesses without dedicated IT staff who need someone to both plan and execute.
- Price range: From $2,000 per project
- Entry point: Free AI audit
- Delivery: 2–4 weeks typical
- Website: forgeandlever.com
2. Hello People AI — Established Custom Software
Specialty: Custom software development with AI capabilities. Experience: 14+ years.
Hello People AI is one of Perth's more established software development firms. With over 14 years in the market, they've built a strong track record in custom software before expanding into AI-powered features. Their experience spans SMBs through to larger organisations, and they bring the stability and process maturity you'd expect from a firm that's been around that long.
What stands out: Longevity and breadth. If your project needs both traditional software engineering and AI capabilities, Hello People AI can handle both under one roof. They're less specialised in pure AI than some newer entrants, but their software fundamentals are well-established.
Best for: Businesses that need custom software that happens to include AI features, rather than pure AI consulting. Also a strong option if you want a firm with a proven long-term track record.
- Price range: Mid-range (quote-based)
- Experience: 14+ years
- Website: hellopeople.com.au
3. AI Advancements — LLM Solutions and Computer Vision
Specialty: Large language model solutions, computer vision, and technical AI builds.
AI Advancements sits at the more technical end of Perth's AI consulting market. They specialise in LLM-based solutions and computer vision applications — the kind of work that requires deep machine learning expertise rather than general business consulting. Their projects tend to be more technically ambitious and often serve clients who already have some technical infrastructure in place.
What stands out: Technical depth. If your project involves training custom models, building computer vision pipelines, or deploying LLMs at scale, this is the kind of firm that has the specialised knowledge to deliver. They're more engineering-focused than strategy-focused.
Best for: Businesses with technically complex AI requirements, especially those involving computer vision, natural language processing, or custom model development. You'll likely need a clearer technical brief going in.
- Price range: Mid to high (quote-based)
- Focus: LLMs, computer vision, ML engineering
- Website: aiadvancements.com.au
"65% of organisations now use generative AI regularly, nearly double the percentage from the previous year. The firms helping businesses adopt this technology are growing in parallel."
— McKinsey, The State of AI in Early 2024[2]4. Austin Technology — AI Consulting with Local IT Support
Specialty: AI consulting layered on top of managed IT services and local support.
Austin Technology approaches AI from the IT services angle. They're a Perth-based technology company that offers AI consulting as part of a broader managed services offering. For businesses that also need help with their general IT infrastructure — networking, cloud, security — Austin Technology provides a one-stop solution where AI is one capability among many.
What stands out: The integrated approach. If you don't have an IT team and you need both AI consulting and day-to-day IT support, Austin Technology eliminates the need to manage multiple vendors. Their local presence means on-site support when needed.
Best for: Businesses that want AI capabilities bundled with broader IT support. Particularly useful if you need someone to manage your entire technology stack, not just the AI piece.
- Price range: Mid-range (managed services pricing)
- Focus: AI + managed IT
- Website: austintechnology.com.au
5. The Start — AI for Government and Enterprise
Specialty: AI consultancy targeting government and enterprise clients.
The Start operates at the upper end of Perth's AI consulting market. They work primarily with government agencies and enterprise-scale organisations on larger, more complex AI implementations. Their projects tend to involve stakeholder management, compliance requirements, and procurement processes that smaller firms aren't set up to handle.
What stands out: Enterprise and government capability. If your project involves government procurement, needs to meet specific compliance standards, or requires the kind of project governance that large organisations demand, The Start has the experience and processes for it.
Best for: Government departments and enterprise organisations with complex requirements, larger budgets, and formal procurement processes. Not typically suited to SMBs looking for quick wins.
- Price range: High (enterprise pricing, $20K+)
- Focus: Government and enterprise AI
- Website: thestart.com.au
Comparison Table
| Company | Specialty | Price Range | Best For | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forge & Lever | Custom AI apps + workflow automation | From $2,000 | SMBs (5–50 staff) | 2024 |
| Hello People AI | Custom software + AI features | Mid-range | Software + AI combined | ~2010 |
| AI Advancements | LLMs + computer vision | Mid–high | Technical AI projects | — |
| Austin Technology | AI + managed IT services | Mid-range | AI + IT support bundle | — |
| The Start | Enterprise + government AI | $20K+ | Govt & enterprise | — |
How to Choose the Right AI Consultant
There's no single "best" AI consultant — it depends on your situation. Here's a practical decision framework:
- You're an SMB wanting to automate workflows or build custom AI tools: Forge & Lever or Hello People AI.
- You need technically complex AI (computer vision, custom models): AI Advancements.
- You need AI bundled with broader IT management: Austin Technology.
- You're a government body or large enterprise: The Start.
"The most common mistake businesses make when choosing an AI consultant is optimising for capability instead of fit. A firm that's brilliant at enterprise deployments may be completely wrong for a 20-person business, and vice versa."
— Ben Connor, Forge & LeverRegardless of who you choose, ask these questions before signing:
- Can you show me a deployed project? Proofs of concept don't count. You want to see something that's actually in production.
- What does your delivery timeline look like? Avoid vague answers. Good consultants can give you a week-by-week breakdown.
- What happens after delivery? Ongoing support matters. AI systems need monitoring and refinement.
- Are you honest about where AI doesn't fit? The best consultants will tell you when a problem doesn't need AI. The worst will try to sell AI for everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best AI consulting companies in Perth?
The top AI consulting companies in Perth in 2026 are Forge & Lever, Hello People AI, AI Advancements, Austin Technology, and The Start.
Each specialises in a different segment: Forge & Lever focuses on SMBs and custom AI apps, Hello People AI covers broader software development with AI, AI Advancements handles technical ML and computer vision work, Austin Technology bundles AI with managed IT, and The Start targets government and enterprise. The best choice depends on your business size, budget, and project complexity.
How much does AI consulting cost in Perth?
AI consulting in Perth ranges from $2,000 for SMB automation projects up to $50,000+ for enterprise implementations.
Forge & Lever offers SMB projects starting from $2,000 with transparent pricing. Mid-market firms like Hello People AI and Austin Technology typically provide custom quotes. Enterprise and government consultants like The Start work on projects starting around $20,000–$50,000+. Most firms offer a free or low-cost initial consultation before scoping a full engagement.
What should I look for in an AI consultant?
Look for deployed projects (not just proofs of concept), transparent pricing, a clear delivery timeline, and honesty about where AI doesn't fit.
A good AI consultant should have hands-on implementation experience, not just strategy. Ask for examples of systems that are actually running in production. Check whether they offer post-delivery support. Finally, make sure their typical client size matches yours — enterprise consultants may over-engineer for SMBs, and SMB-focused firms may not have the governance processes enterprise clients require.
Do Perth AI consultants work with small businesses?
Yes. Forge & Lever specifically focuses on SMBs with 5–50 employees, with projects from $2,000. Hello People AI also serves SMBs.
However, some Perth consultants primarily target enterprise and government. When choosing a firm, ask about their typical client size and minimum project budgets to make sure you're the right fit. A consultancy that mostly handles $100K government contracts may not be the best partner for a $5,000 automation project.