Employment Consultant Salary: What to Expect and How to Compare Offers

Understanding the employment consultant salary landscape

When you search for an employment consultant salary in Australia, you are looking at a role that is often called a recruitment consultant. The two terms are used interchangeably in job ads. An employment consultant helps match job seekers with employers, conducts interviews, and advises on vacancies. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, there are about 33,000 people employed in this occupation, with 83% working full-time and a median age of 36. The workforce is 69% female.

Why there is no official median salary figure

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish median weekly earnings for recruitment consultants at the six-digit ANZSCO level. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile notes that median weekly earnings are not available. This means you cannot rely on a single official number when reading a job ad. Instead, you need to understand the pay structure and what influences it.

Award coverage and minimum pay

Most employment consultants are not covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that recruitment consultants working for a recruitment agency are generally award-free. They are entitled to the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) and the National Employment Standards. However, if the employer is in the labour market assistance industry (government-contracted job services), the Labour Market Assistance Award may apply. For consultants doing mainly clerical or administrative tasks, the Clerks Award could apply. Otherwise, the Miscellaneous Award might cover non-professional roles. Professional employees with a degree (e.g., in human resources) are often award-free.

If an award applies, the minimum hourly rate is at least the entry-level award floor of $25.74 per hour, but many awards have higher classifications. The national minimum wage itself gives a full-time annualised salary of $52,255, which sits at an index of 48.2 on the Salary Index. That is well below typical market rates for experienced consultants.

Reading a job ad for an employment consultant

Job ads for employment consultants often list a base salary plus commission or bonuses. The base may be expressed as an annual salary or an hourly rate. When comparing offers, look for:

• Base salary: This is the guaranteed component. It might range from $55,000 to $80,000 for entry-level roles, and $80,000 to $110,000 for experienced consultants. Without official data, these are rough market observations.
• Commission structure: Many roles include uncapped commission based on placements. This can significantly boost total earnings. Ask about the average commission earned by consultants in the team.
• Superannuation: The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, on top of the base salary. Ensure the ad states whether the salary includes super or is plus super.
• Hours: Full-time average hours are 41 per week, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. Some roles may require overtime or weekend work.

Using the Salary Index to compare offers

The Salary Index converts a gross annual salary into a number relative to the national line of 100 (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year). For example:

• A $70,000 base salary gives an index of 64.6 (70,000 / 108,352 × 100).
• A $90,000 base gives an index of 83.1.
• A $110,000 base gives an index of 101.5, just above the national average.

You can also compare across industries. Employment consultants often work in Administrative and Support Services (index 75.9 for retail trade, but that industry is different) or Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (index 114.7). If your role is in a professional services firm, the pay may be higher than in a standalone agency.

State differences matter too. The states page shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A job offer in Perth may need to be higher to match the local market.

What to ask in an interview

When you have an offer, ask:

• Is the base salary inclusive of super? If not, add 12%.
• What is the typical total remuneration (base plus commission) for someone in this role after one year?
• Is there a probation period with a lower base?
• Are there any allowances or penalty rates? Most consultants are not entitled to penalties unless covered by an award.

Tax and take-home pay

For a resident earning $80,000 in 2026–27, the tax (excluding Medicare) is about $17,938, plus Medicare levy of 2% ($1,600). Take-home is roughly $60,462. Use the Salary Index to see how your offer stacks up after tax.

Final thoughts

Because the ABS does not publish a median employment consultant salary, you must rely on job ads, industry knowledge, and the Salary Index to benchmark offers. Remember that award-free roles can pay above the minimum, but you have fewer protections. Always check the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides if you suspect an award applies. And when comparing two offers, convert both to the index to see which one truly sits higher relative to the national line.