Recruitment consultant salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index
Find out how a recruitment consultant salary compares to the national line. No official median exists, but award-free roles often sit above the national minimum wage.
No official median weekly earnings are published for recruitment consultants, but the role typically sits above the national minimum wage (index 48.2) and may align with professional services benchmarks (index 114.7) depending on the employer.
What is a recruitment consultant salary?
A recruitment consultant salary is the gross annual pay a recruitment consultant earns in a year, compared to the national line. The national line is index 100, which is full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 a year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A recruitment consultant salary sits somewhere above the national minimum wage (index 48.2) and likely above the national line, depending on the employer, industry, and experience. No official median weekly earnings figure exists for recruitment consultants because the occupation is a 6-digit ANZSCO code, so no official figure is published.
Where the pay sits on the salary index
The salary index divides the annual gross salary by the national line and times 100. For a recruitment consultant earning $80,000 a year, the index is 73.8. For a recruitment consultant earning $120,000 a year, the index is 110.8. The national line is $108,352. The national minimum wage is $52,255 a year (index 48.2). A recruitment consultant salary is typically above that floor.
Many recruitment consultants work in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, where the industry index is 114.7 ($124,000+ annualised). Others work in Administrative and Support Services, where the index is not available but likely lower. The average full-time hours for recruitment consultants are 41 hours a week, slightly below the all-occupations average of 44 hours. 83% work full-time, and 69% are female.
Award coverage and pay
Recruitment consultants are generally award-free unless their employer is in the labour market assistance industry, where the Labour Market Assistance Award applies. Otherwise, they may be covered by the Clerks Award (if primarily clerical duties) or the Miscellaneous Award (if not professional). Professional employees (requiring a degree) are not covered by the Miscellaneous Award. Most recruitment consultants working for a recruitment agency are award-free, meaning only the national minimum wage and National Employment Standards apply. However, market rates are typically higher.
How the salary index works
The salary index is a tool to compare any salary to the national line. The national line is full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which is $2,083.70 per week or $108,352 per year (index 100). The national minimum wage is $1,004.90 per week or $52,255 per year (index 48.2). For a recruitment consultant salary, the index shows how far above or below the national line the pay is. For example, a recruitment consultant earning $90,000 a year has an index of 83.1; one earning $130,000 has an index of 120.0.
Super and tax considerations
Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, on top of the gross salary. The maximum contribution base is $270,830. For a recruitment consultant earning $100,000, super adds $12,000. Tax for 2026-27 (resident, excluding Medicare) is nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Medicare levy is 2%. Take-home pay for a $100,000 salary (index 92.3) is approximately $73,000 after tax and Medicare (estimate, ignoring HELP or surcharges).
Where to find more
For more on how the salary index works, see how the index works. For industry comparisons, see industries. For state differences, see states. For award information, see pay guides.
Conclusion
A recruitment consultant salary is not officially published, but the salary index provides a benchmark against the national line. Most recruitment consultants earn above the national minimum wage, and many in professional services earn above the national line. The index helps compare any salary to the national line, not a guarantee of a specific pay.
Questions people ask
Are recruitment consultants covered by a modern award?
Recruitment consultants are generally award-free unless the employer is in the labour market assistance industry (covered by the Labour Market Assistance Award). Otherwise, they may be covered by the Clerks Award (if primarily clerical duties), the Miscellaneous Award (if not professional), or award-free. Most recruitment agency consultants are award-free, meaning only the national minimum wage and National Employment Standards apply.
What is the average salary for a recruitment consultant in Australia?
No official average or median salary is published for recruitment consultants because the occupation is a 6-digit ANZSCO code. The national minimum wage floor is $26.44 per hour (index 48.2), but market rates are typically higher, especially in professional services where the industry index is 114.7. Actual pay depends on experience, industry, and whether the role is award-covered.
How does the salary index help understand a recruitment consultant pay?
The salary index compares a gross annual salary to the national line of 100 (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, $108,352). For a recruitment consultant earning $80,000, the index is 73.8; for $120,000, it's 110.8. Since no official figure is certain, the index provides a benchmark against the national line, not a guarantee.