What is an HR manager?
In essence, HR management is employee management with an emphasis on the employees as assets of the business – in other words, your human capital.
A human resources manager plans and coordinates a company’s administrative functions and is responsible for interviewing and hiring new staff and liaising with executives regarding strategic recruitment planning.
What does an HR manager do?
An HR manager’s responsibilities and duties typically include the following:
- Plan the company’s workforce to best utilise employee skills
- Liaise between an organisation’s management and its employees
- Manage employee benefit programs
- Consult executives on human resources issues such as equal employment opportunity
- Manage and coordinate the company’s recruitment, interview and hiring processes
- Oversee staffing issues, including mediating when there are disputes and managing disciplinary procedures
What skills does a human resources manager need to have?
A successful HR manager will typically have at least these skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Advanced interpersonal, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
- Highly organised with great attention to detail
- A proactive, problem-solving approach
- Demonstrates professionalism and integrity, and adheres to principles of confidentiality
- Familiar with employment laws and regulations
- Proficiency in Office applications and required HR software
Related: How to Find Good Employees
What is a typical HR manager’s salary in Australia?
Naturally, human resources salary ranges can vary significantly depending on factors such as the employee’s education level, certifications they may have attained, any special skills they may have and, of course, the number of years they have spent working in the profession.
If you are looking for the average HR manager salary in Australia, visit our Indeed HR salary page for a detailed HR management salary overview.
HR manager salary per year:
As of 1 July 2022, the average annual human resources manager salary in Australia is $117,721 per year.
HR manager salary per month:
As of 1 July 2022, the average monthly human resources manager salary in Australia is $8,339 per month.
HR manager salary per week:
As of 1 July 2022, the average weekly human resources manager salary in Australia is $2,155 per week.
HR manager salary per day:
As of 1 July 2022, the average daily human resources manager salary in Australia is $651 per day.
HR manager salary per hour:
As of 1 July 2022, the average hourly human resources manager salary in Australia is $60.42 per hour.
How does education level affect HR manager salaries?
In Australia, a postgraduate degree like a Master’s can cost anywhere from approximately $40,000 to over $100,000. The question is whether this is a worthwhile investment for HR professionals.
Considering that an HR manager with a Bachelor’s degree earns approximately $100,000, while someone with a Master’s degree makes almost $180,000, a postgraduate program definitely seems like a long-term investment that will pay off sooner rather than later.
In fact, a study by the Australian Human Resources Institute found that even though almost 30 per cent of its members already hold a Master’s degree, over half of human resources professionals believe that further education is essential to prepare them for future changes in the Australian workplace across all industries.
How much does an HR manager’s salary increase with additional years of experience?
As in many other jobs, a human resources manager can earn more, the more experience they gain. On average, the base salary increases by the following percentages over time:
- 0-2 years of experience: base salary
- 2-5 years of experience: +30%
- 5-10 years of experience: +40%
- 10-15 years of experience: +20%
- 15-20 years of experience: +9%
- 20+ years of experience: +8%
Which cities pay the highest human resources salaries?
You may find it beneficial to have a guide that tells you how much HR managers earn in different Australian cities and how this compares with your company’s location.
The top eight highest-paying cities for HR managers in Australia are:
- Sydney CBD – $135,039 p.a.
- Perth – $134,999 p.a.
- Melbourne CBD – $131,335 p.a.
- Sydney Western Suburbs – $130,331 p.a.
- Sydney – $126,214 p.a.
- Melbourne – $122,506 p.a.
- Brisbane – $113,469 p.a.
- Canberra – $111,835 p.a.
What do similar professions get paid in Australia?
You’ll likely be hiring more than HR managers, so it’s worth knowing what other human resources roles typically earn, on average. Take a look at this list for guidance:
- HR Generalist – $92,671 p.a.
- HR Specialist – $83,432 p.a.
- Recruiter – $83,946 p.a.
- Employee Relations Manager – $120,166 p.a.
- Director of Human Resources – $129,344 p.a.
These figures will hopefully give you an idea when it comes to hiring your human resources team.
What (non-)financial perks can employers offer their HR professionals?
Attractive employers are known for the financial and non-financial perks they offer their staff. Let’s take a look at what some of these might be:
1) Give them a bonus – At the end of the day, every employee will appreciate a financial reward. Surprise your HR management team with an unannounced bonus payment, or make a set bonus part of your reward and recognition system.
2) Offer financial perks – While the obvious perks for employees include bonuses, you can also set up a profit-sharing initiative where your employees have the opportunity to be rewarded with shares in your company. A company car with all expenses taken care of is another great idea for rewarding your HR (and other) employees.
3) Pay for classes or training courses – A popular incentive is vouchers for classes your employees can take in their spare time. These can be in areas that interest employees and give them the chance to develop new skills or simply enjoy an existing hobby. You can, of course, also pay for professional training courses for your human resources team, for example at your local TAFE. These are usually more expensive, but your employees will be sure to appreciate the opportunity. In the long term, their newly acquired skills will likely benefit your business too!
4) Give them time off – There’s hardly any worker who won’t appreciate some time off. In addition to financial rewards, your incentives for HR employees could include a paid afternoon off. Surprise a valued staff member by sending them home early, and watch their eyes light up as they head home to kick back and relax. Surprises like these are sure to make you a popular employer.
Related: Employer Branding Matters More to Job Seekers Than You Think
What challenges are HR management professionals facing in Australia?
Many sectors are currently undergoing major change, which puts pressure on HR professionals in all industries. Human resources managers increasingly need to think outside the box when it comes to finding new ways to consolidate employer and employee needs, such as an increased desire to work from home.
These new challenges are expected to have a positive impact on the HR sector itself, and technological change, as well as changes in the workforce in general, contribute to the growing demand for HR skills.
A study found that the Australian HR sector is forecast to experience solid growth over the next few years. According to Dr Alan Montague, the Program Director of Human Resources Management at RMIT University, one of the key drivers of the growing demand for HR management skills is the major technological change arising from developments such as machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Businesses across all sectors will need more human resources managers to develop and train skills to facilitate successful transitions, especially considering the potential magnitude of future workplace disruption.
HR management will need to guide organisations through organisational changes, and human resources managers with excellent communication and problem-solving skills will be critical for success and able to command higher salaries.
Where can I find an HR manager?
Now that you know all about the characteristics of HR roles and human resources salaries, it’s time to find your perfect candidate. You can advertise the role on your corporate website, on your social media accounts, or you can ask for referrals among your existing employees. Indeed also has a couple of great options for recruiting HR management staff.
Read more: Explore our Employer Resources
Try our Indeed Smart Sourcing feature to look for suitable candidates. Or, when you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.
