The Hold Time Epidemic
Australians are fed up with waiting on hold. The numbers tell a story of frustration, lost revenue, and a massive opportunity for businesses that choose to answer every call instantly. These are not abstract statistics - they represent real customers walking away from your business every single day.
Average time Australians spend on hold per month
Source: Australian Communications Consumer Action Network
Callers who hang up within 1 minute of being placed on hold
Source: Deloitte Consumer Survey 2025
Customers who switch providers after repeated hold experiences
Source: PwC Future of CX Report
Every abandoned call is a lost sales opportunity
Source: Industry observation
Total hours Australians collectively spend on hold per year
Source: Telstra Consumer Report
When Australians think of hold times, they think of Telstra. Average wait times of 15 to 45 minutes have made "Telstra hold music" a cultural phenomenon. But here is the truth: even a 3-minute hold time costs your small business customers. If your callers wait even half of what Telstra inflicts, you are losing revenue every single day. The bar is not Telstra - the bar is zero seconds.