Fees you can read before you sign.
A plain-English summary of how we charge. Your signed terms of business always govern.
On this page
Summary only. Our terms of business are being finalised with legal review. Where this page and your signed terms differ, the signed terms apply. All amounts exclude GST.
Permanent placements
22% retained search, our standard model, invoiced in thirds
25% contingent search, on request, invoiced in full on the start date
Fee basis: a percentage of the candidate's first-year base salary only. Allowances and employer superannuation are excluded. GST is added to every fee.
Minimum fee: $12,000 plus GST per placement, for both retained and contingent searches.
Fee illustration
What would a placement cost?
Fee, excluding GST
$30,800
22% of $140,000
Invoiced in thirds
- On signing$10,267
- On shortlist acceptance$10,267
- On start (balance, recalculated)$10,266
If employment ends within 12 weeks
An illustration only, excluding GST. Fees are a percentage of first-year base salary (excluding super), plus GST, with a $12,000 minimum. For retained searches, instalments 1 and 2 are based on the midpoint of the agreed salary range and the balance is recalculated on the actual first-year base. Contingent searches are available on request, by negotiation. Your signed terms of business always govern. There is no replacement guarantee.
First-year base includes
- Annual base salary (full-time equivalent)
- Salary-packaged amounts that replace base salary
It excludes
- Employer superannuation
- Allowances of any kind, such as clearance, on-call or car allowances
- Non-guaranteed bonuses and commissions
- Equity or options
- Expense reimbursements and relocation
Worked example · illustrative
A $140,000 role, retained search
| First-year base salary (excluding super) | $140,000 |
| Fee at 22% | $30,800 |
| GST (10%), added on top | $3,080 |
| Total invoiced, including GST | $33,880 |
| Three instalments, excluding GST (the last is recalculated on the actual first-year base) | about $10,267 each |
If employment ends within 12 weeks (all invoices paid in full and on time), the rebate on the $30,800 fee would be:
| Employment ends in | Rebate | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–28 (weeks 0–4) | 75% | $23,100 |
| Days 29–56 (weeks 5–8) | 50% | $15,400 |
| Days 57–84 (weeks 9–12) | 25% | $7,700 |
- Allowances don't count: if the same role also paid a $6,000 on-call allowance, the retained fee would still be $30,800 plus GST, because the fee is based on base salary only. Employer super is never included.
- Contingent instead: on request, the same $140,000 role at 25% would be $35,000 plus GST, invoiced in full on the start date.
- Minimum fee: for a $50,000 role, 22% would be $11,000, so the $12,000 minimum applies.
Fixed-term roles of 6 months or more: the same percentage as the search model (22% retained or 25% contingent), applied to the actual contract salary, with the $12,000 minimum. The fee is topped up to the full annualised amount if the contract is extended, or the candidate is made permanent, within 12 months of the start date. If you employ a candidate we introduced directly on a fixed-term contract of under 6 months, the same percentage applies to the actual contract salary, with a $5,000 minimum, topped up in the same way if the contract is extended or made permanent within 12 months.
Invoiced in thirds
| Instalment | When | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | When you sign the assignment confirmation | ⅓ of the estimated fee, based on the midpoint of the agreed salary range |
| 2 | When the shortlist is accepted (deemed accepted after 3 business days, unless you tell us in writing which candidates don't meet a recorded must-have criterion) | ⅓ of the estimated fee |
| 3 | On the candidate's start date | The balance, recalculated on the actual first-year base |
Payment terms for permanent placement invoices: 14 days from invoice, or in line with the Commonwealth Supplier Pay On-Time or Pay Interest Policy for Commonwealth government clients.
Cancellation: if you cancel or pause a search, instalment 1 is non-refundable, and instalment 2 is also payable if the shortlist has already been accepted. If you later engage a candidate we introduced, the full fee applies, less instalments already paid for that search. Withdrawn offers: if you withdraw an offer the candidate has accepted (other than for a failed pre-employment check disclosed in the offer, or the candidate's misconduct or misrepresentation), a cancellation fee of 25% of the fee applies, less instalments already paid.
Instalments apply to retained searches. A contingent search (25%, the full fee payable on the start date, same $12,000 minimum) is available on request, by negotiation, and only where it is recorded in the assignment confirmation.
12-week sliding-scale rebate. No replacement guarantee.
We don't offer free replacements. Instead, if a permanent hire's employment ends within 12 weeks of their start date, we refund part of the total fee paid:
| Employment ends in | Rebate of total fee paid |
|---|---|
| Days 1–28 from the start date (weeks 0–4) | 75% |
| Days 29–56 from the start date (weeks 5–8) | 50% |
| Days 57–84 from the start date (weeks 9–12) | 25% |
| After day 84 (week 12) | Nil |
The rebate applies only if all invoices were paid in full and on time, and you tell us in writing within 7 days of the employment ending. It doesn't apply if the departure was caused by, among other things, redundancy or restructure, a material change to the role, or a clearance not being sponsored or maintained for reasons within your control. If you re-engage the candidate in any capacity within 12 months of their departure, the rebate must be repaid. Eligible rebates are paid within 14 days of confirming eligibility, as a refund or, if you prefer, a credit against a future fee. The rebate is the only remedy if a candidate leaves early. The terms of business set out the full conditions.
Introductions: the 12-month rule
If you engage a candidate we introduced within 12 months of our most recent introduction of that candidate, the fee applies, in any capacity and for any role. Already talking to someone we put forward? Tell us within 3 business days, with evidence, and no fee applies for that candidate.
Candidates
We never charge candidates a fee for finding them work.