EXHIBIT 23.1
                                                                    ------------
                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


      We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration   Statement  (Form  S-3)  and  related   Prospectus  of  Inter-Tel,
Incorporated  for the  registration  of 60,000 shares of its common stock and to
the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 27, 1995 with
respect to the  consolidated  financial  statements  and schedules of Inter-Tel,
Incorporated  included  in its  Annual  Report on Form  10-K for the year  ended
December 31, 1994, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                              ERNST & YOUNG, LLP


Phoenix, Arizona
March 14, 1996