Highest paid HR jobs in Australia
Key Takeaways
- HR salaries in Australia typically range from $70k to $190k, depending on seniority, responsibility, and specialisation.
- Senior roles such as HR manager and HR business partner earn around $115k-$145k on average.
- Advisory and consulting roles usually sit between $90k and $110k, while coordinator and entry-level roles start around $70k-$90k.
- The highest paying HR roles are linked to strategic influence, compliance responsibility, and organisational scale.
Human resources plays a critical role in shaping workplace culture, compliance, and long-term organisational performance. From operational support roles to senior leadership positions, HR careers offer clear progression pathways and increasingly
strong earning potential.
The human resources salary landscape in Australia varies widely. Entry-level and coordination roles focus on administration and employee support, while senior HR professionals are responsible for workforce strategy, leadership advice, compliance, and organisational change. As businesses place greater emphasis on people, culture, and risk management, experienced HR leaders continue to see rising demand.
This article breaks down HR salary Australia-wide, highlighting the highest paying HR jobs, typical salary ranges across different roles, and the factors that influence pay. Whether you’re entering HR, progressing into advisory roles, or aiming for senior
leadership, this guide will give you a clear overview of HR salaries across Australia.
- Highest paying HR jobs in Australia
- How much are HR salaries in Australia
- Highest paid HR jobs in Australia
- HR Consultant salary
- Explore more HR job salaries in Australia
Highest paying HR jobs in Australia
The table below compares the highest paying HR roles in Australia based on average annual salary data from SEEK.
Job Title | Average Salary (AUD) |
How much are HR salaries in Australia
HR salaries in Australia generally range from $70k to $190k per year. Entry-level roles such as HR coordinators and employment consultants typically earn between $70k and $90k, while advisory and consulting roles move into the $90k-$110k range.
Mid-level professionals working as HR advisers or consultants often support managers with workplace relations, compliance, and performance management. At this stage, the human resources salary reflects both experience and exposure to complex employee matters.
Senior HR roles sit at the top of the pay scale. Positions with strategic influence, leadership responsibility, and regulatory exposure consistently attract higher salaries, particularly in large or highly regulated organisations.
Highest paid HR jobs in Australia
Below are some of the top-paying HR positions and what drives their earning potential.
HR Manager salary
Human Resources Managers oversee HR operations, workforce planning, compliance, and people strategy, working closely with leadership to support organisational performance.
- Average salary: AUD $125k-$145k per year
Earnings increase with organisational size, leadership scope, and responsibility for policy, compliance, and people outcomes.
HR Business Partner salary
HR Business Partners work alongside senior leaders to align people strategies with business objectives, providing strategic advice on workforce planning, performance, and capability development.
- Average salary: AUD $115k-$135k per year
Higher pay reflects strategic influence, senior stakeholder engagement, and exposure to complex organisational challenges.
HR Advisor salary
HR advisers support managers and employees on workplace relations, policies, and
performance management, acting as a key point of contact for HR guidance.
- Average salary: AUD $90k-$110k per year
Pay increases with experience handling employee relations matters, compliance issues, and complex casework.
HR Coordinator salary
HR Coordinators provide
administrative and operational support across recruitment, onboarding,
and HR systems, supporting advisers and managers across the organisation.
- Average salary: AUD $75k-$90k per year
Earnings rise with experience and progression into advisory or specialist HR roles.
HR Consultant salary
Consulting and recruitment-focused HR roles offer alternative career pathways,
often blending advisory work with performance-based outcomes. These roles appeal to professionals seeking variety or client-facing responsibilities.
Recruitment Consultant salary
Recruitment Consultants source, assess, and place candidates into roles, managing client relationships and talent pipelines across industries.
- Average salary: AUD $75k-$90k per year
Higher earnings are driven by placement volume, commission structures, and specialisation in high-demand markets. For those wondering how much does a recruiter make, performance incentives play a major role.
Employment Consultant salary
Employment Consultants support job seekers into work by coordinating training, placements, and employer engagement across employment programs.
- Average salary: AUD $70k-$75k per year
Pay increases with experience, program responsibility, and successful employment outcomes.
Explore more HR salaries in Australia
Most HR careers in Australia offer strong progression opportunities, with salaries increasing alongside responsibility, strategic influence, and organisational scale.
If you’d like to do further research on the best career path for you, you can explore more HR careers at SEEK. Discover more insights, compare up-to-date salary information across HR roles, and uncover potential career paths in Australia.
Source: SEEK data, roles based on average advertised salaries of over $150,000
for job ads listed on SEEK from July 23 to June 24 to July 24 to June 25. A minimum threshold of job ads on SEEK is required for a role to appear in this table.
