HR Jobs in Sydney
Find your next people role in Sydney
Find your next HR role in Sydney with Australia's specialist HR recruiter. Permanent, contract and executive opportunities across every HR discipline.
We have a great range of permanent and temporary HR jobs in Sydney, with new positions frequently available.
Active Sydney roles
with reputable organisations across all HR specialisations and career stages.
25+ years experience
placing HR roles across Sydney CBD and greater metropolitan areas.
Highly dedicated consultants
who partner with employers to ensure the right candidates are matched with the right roles.
CURRENT OPENINGS
Latest HR jobs Sydney & NSW
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Sydney's HR Job Market in 2026
Sydney remains Australia's most active HR jobs market, driven by the concentration of ASX-listed companies, financial services firms, global technology businesses and professional services organisations headquartered in the CBD and lower North Shore.
Mid-to-senior HR professionals — particularly commercially focused HR Business Partners and People & Culture Managers with experience in large or complex organisations — are in consistent demand. Specialists in organisational design, workforce planning and HR technology are commanding the strongest salaries.
HR contracting in Sydney remains robust, with interim HR Business Partner and project-based HR consulting roles regularly available through The Next Step's contractor network. Most contract engagements run three to six months and are frequently extended or converted to permanent roles.
Why work with The Next Step Sydney
The Next Step has been placing HR professionals across Sydney for over 25 years. Our consultants are HR specialists — not generalist recruiters — which means we understand the nuances of every role type, from Talent Acquisition to Employee Relations to Executive HR.
We maintain active relationships with HR hiring managers at some of Sydney's largest employers, and many of our roles are never publicly advertised. Registering with us gives you access to the full market, including roles that would otherwise be invisible to you.
We provide honest, informed advice on salary benchmarking, career progression and the current state of the Sydney HR market — not just a list of open roles.
Salary benchmarking
HR salary guide — Sydney 2026
Indicative ranges based on market conditions observed by The Next Step's Sydney team, 2025. Figures vary by industry, organisation size and candidate profile. Gross annual base salary ranges by role. Sydney figures apply a 5–10% location premium to national benchmarks. Excludes superannuation, bonuses and non-cash benefits.
| Role | Low | Median | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generalist HR | ||||
| HR Administrator | $65,000 | $75,000 | $80,000 | |
| HR Coordinator | $70,000 | $75,000 | $85,000 | |
| HR Advisor | $85,000 | $100,000 | $115,000 | |
| HR Business Partner | $110,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 | |
| HR Manager | $130,000 | $145,000 | $160,000 | |
| Senior & Executive HR | ||||
| HR Director / Head of HR | $200,000 | $270,000 | $300,000 | |
| Talent Acquisition | ||||
| TA Advisor / Specialist | $90,000 | $100,000 | $110,000 | |
| Talent Acquisition Manager | $110,000 | $125,000 | $140,000 | |
| Learning & Development | ||||
| L&D Specialist | $105,000 | $135,000 | $155,000 | |
| L&D Manager | $105,000 | $135,000 | $155,000 | |
| Workplace Health & Safety | ||||
| WHS Advisor | $95,000 | $120,000 | $135,000 | |
| WHS Manager | $120,000 | $140,000 | $160,000 | |
Source: . Figures represent gross annual base salary excluding superannuation, bonuses and non-cash benefits. Sydney salaries reflect an approximate 5–10% premium over national benchmarks for equivalent roles. Actual salaries vary by industry, organisation size, candidate profile and market conditions. For a personalised salary discussion contact The Next Step's Sydney team.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HR jobs in Sydney — FAQs
Common questions from HR jobseekers looking for roles in Sydney.
What HR jobs are currently available in Sydney?
Sydney's HR job market includes HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition Specialists, HR Managers, Learning and Development Managers, Employee Relations Advisors, HR Directors, and HR Coordinators. The Sydney CBD, North Shore and Parramatta corridors have the highest concentration of roles, particularly in financial services, technology, professional services and healthcare.
What is the average salary for HR roles in Sydney?
In Sydney, HR Coordinators typically earn $65,000–$80,000, HR Advisors $85,000–$115,000, HR Business Partners $110,000–$140,000, HR Managers $130,000–$160,000, and HR Directors $200,000–$300,000+. All figures are gross annual base salary excluding superannuation. See our HR salary guide for a full breakdown by role and percentile.
Which industries hire the most HR professionals in Sydney?
Sydney's largest employers of HR professionals are financial services and banking, technology and software, professional services (consulting, law, accounting), healthcare and life sciences, retail and FMCG, and government and education. The CBD and Lower North Shore are dominant hubs for finance and professional services HR roles.
How do I find HR contract roles in Sydney?
HR contract roles in Sydney are best found through specialist HR recruiters like The Next Step, who maintain a network of contractors and have direct relationships with hiring managers. Many roles are never publicly advertised. Registering your resume and availability with The Next Step is the most effective way to access the full contract market.
Is Sydney's HR job market currently candidate-short?
Sydney's mid-to-senior HR market (HR Business Partner level and above) remains candidate-short in 2025. Specialist skills in organisational design, workforce planning and HR technology are in particularly high demand. At coordinator and advisor level the market is more balanced.
Do I need to be based in Sydney to apply for Sydney HR roles?
Many Sydney employers accept hybrid arrangements, typically 2–3 days in office. Fully remote HR roles exist but are less common at senior levels. Candidates relocating from interstate are considered for permanent roles — The Next Step can advise on realistic timelines and employer preferences.
What qualifications do I need for HR jobs in Sydney?
Most Sydney HR roles expect a bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business or Psychology. Postgraduate qualifications (MHR or MBA) are advantageous at senior levels. AHRI membership and CPHR certification are well regarded. At the senior level, practical experience typically carries more weight than formal qualifications.
How long does it take to find an HR job in Sydney through a recruiter?
Coordinator-to-advisor roles typically take 2–6 weeks from registration to offer. Business Partner and manager-level roles take 4–10 weeks. Senior and executive roles can take 2–4 months. Contract placements are often faster — sometimes within days for urgent interim requirements.
Meet the Sydney team
HR Jobs, Sydney NSW
We opened the doors to our Sydney office in 1998 and have built an unrivalled knowledge of the Sydney HR job market over the last 25 years.
We connect HR professionals to jobs in Sydney’s CBD, the greater Sydney and regional areas. We recruit for HR jobs in Inner-West Sydney, Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, Western Sydney, The North Shore, Northern Beaches, Southern Sydney and regional NSW.
Contact Sydney Office
"Lorainne understood the confidential nature of the assignment and the elevation of the current role."
Stev Gavriloska
"Prompt, organised, friendly, thorough."
Shelley Tate
"Jo was absolutely fantastic to work with. She secured me a great role and made the whole process smooth from start to finish. Her communication was excellent always clear, prompt, and consistent. She was friendly, approachable, and genuinely helpful at every stage. Jo followed up quickly, kept me in the loop throughout, and made sure I always knew what was happening. I really appreciated her professionalism and support, and I wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again or recommend her to others."
Lorna Hanley
"Provided the support and preparation I needed to feel confident going into the interview."
Ned Healey
"Anna listens very well and truly understands the customer needs and then meets those with the candidate. Anna makes the candidate feel comfortable and safe in a way they can truly be themselves and this way finds a better match between customer and candidate."