Recruitment Agency Costs in Australia: A Comparison Guide
Agency fees, job board ads, and hidden recruiter charges explained — plus a clear fee comparison for Australian employers looking for the cheapest way to hire.
What do recruitment agencies charge in Australia?
In 2026, the standard Australian recruitment agency fee is 15% to 20% of the candidate's first-year salary, plus GST. For senior or executive roles, fees can climb higher.
Some agencies also charge an upfront retainer for executive search, typically 30% of the expected fee, with the balance paid on placement.
Job board advertising costs
Posting on a major Australian job board is cheaper upfront than a recruiter, but it shifts the work to you:
- Seek: $300 – $500 for a 30-day standard ad
- Indeed: free listings exist, but sponsored reach costs extra
- LinkedIn job slots: roughly $300+ per month per slot
The real cost is time: writing the ad, sorting applications, screening unqualified candidates, and chasing no-shows for interviews.
Hidden costs to watch for
- Replacement guarantees: many recruiters offer a 90-day rebate, but it is usually partial and only if the candidate leaves — not if they are unsuitable.
- Exclusivity clauses: signing exclusively with one agency can slow down your search and reduce your options.
- Admin and back-and-forth: briefing calls, contract negotiations, and interview scheduling add days or weeks.
The flat-fee alternative: resumes2u
resumes2u skips the percentage fee. You pay a flat rate for a curated shortlist of verified Australian candidates:
- Top 3 candidates: $180 + GST
- Top 5 candidates: $250 + GST
- Top 10 candidates: $400 + GST
- Phone screening add-on: $35 + GST per candidate
Shortlists are delivered in under 24 hours from a verified resume database of over 13 million Australian profiles.
Side-by-side comparison
| Option | Typical cost | Time to shortlist | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recruitment agency | 15–20% of salary + GST | 2–6 weeks | Executive, hard-to-fill roles |
| Job board ad | $300–$500+ per post + GST | 2–4 weeks | High-volume or junior roles |
| resumes2u | From $180 + GST | Under 24 hours | Speed, cost, direct outreach |
Which option is cheapest for your hire?
For most permanent, casual, or volume hiring in Australia, a percentage-based recruiter fee is the most expensive option. Job ads are cheaper upfront but slow and labour-intensive. A flat-fee shortlist service gives you verified candidates fast at a predictable price.
If you are hiring for a senior executive or a role that requires a confidential market search, a specialist recruiter can still be the right choice. For everything else, there is a cheaper way.
Frequently asked questions
What do recruitment agencies charge in Australia?▼
Most charge 15% to 20% of the placed candidate's first-year salary. A $100,000 role typically costs $15,000 to $20,000 plus GST.
Are job ads cheaper than recruitment agencies?▼
Upfront, yes — job board ads usually cost $300 to $500. But you still have to write the ad, sort applications, and screen candidates yourself, which adds hidden time and cost.
What is the cheapest way to hire staff in Australia?▼
For most roles, a flat-fee resume shortlist service is the cheapest. resumes2u delivers a curated shortlist within 24 hours from $180+GST.
When should I use a traditional recruiter instead?▼
For executive search, hard-to-fill leadership roles, or confidential searches where the recruiter's network and search effort justify the fee.