HR consulting services from experienced HR consultants
Get expert help with restructures, award reviews, HR policies and culture projects from HR consultants who know Australian workplace law.
HR consulting projects we deliver
Some HR work is too big, too sensitive or too specialised to fit around running your business. Our HR consulting services give Australian small and medium businesses expert, hands-on help with one-off projects and strategic people decisions.
Your HR consultant scopes the work with you, agrees clear deliverables and timeframes, and stays with you until the project is done. Need ongoing support as well? Ask about our HR outsourcing retainer from $300 a month + GST.
Australian businesses trust our HR consultants
Why choose our HR consultants
Practical HR consulting backed by a team that also runs a 24/7 HR advice line for employers.
Get free initial HR advice
24/7 HR advice
Got a question between project milestones? Call our 24/7 HR advice line for clear, practical answers by phone or email.
HR compliance
Every recommendation is checked against the Fair Work Act, the National Employment Standards and the modern award that applies.
Build a stronger workplace
We help you plan change, communicate it well and build a positive, productive culture that supports your business goals.
HR Policies
Projects come with practical HR policies, procedures, contracts and forms written for Australian workplace laws.
Fair Work Representation
Facing an unfair dismissal or general protections claim? We support you at the Fair Work Commission and partner with top employment law firms.
In-person HR services
Need hands-on help? Compass Onsite brings an HR consultant to your workplace for difficult meetings, investigations and training.
How our HR consulting process works
1. Discovery and scoping
We learn about your business, the issue and your goals, then agree the scope, timing and deliverables.
2. Plan and deliver
Your HR consultant does the work, from reviewing documents and consulting staff to drafting plans.
3. Handover and support
We help you roll out the changes, and our 24/7 HR advice line stays on call.
Our HR consultants help businesses with
Compliance projects
Award and pay rate reviews
- Confirm modern award coverage
- Check employee classifications
- Review pay, penalties, allowances and entitlements
- Plan how to fix any underpayments
- Set up compliant rosters, overtime and shift rules
Contracts and documents
- Draft compliant employment contracts and variations
- Review your existing contracts
- Plan contract variations with staff
- Update clauses after law changes
- Set the right employment types
Restructures and redundancy
- Plan restructures that meet Fair Work Act obligations
- Meet award consultation requirements
- Assess redeployment options
- Calculate notice and redundancy pay
- Reduce unfair dismissal risk
People and performance projects
Performance management frameworks
- Design performance review and goal-setting processes
- Set clear KPIs and role expectations
- Build fair performance improvement plans
- Train managers to give feedback
Recruitment and onboarding
- Write clear position descriptions
- Create recruitment and selection processes
- Build onboarding and induction programs
- Keep hiring decisions free of discrimination
HR strategy and team structure
- Map roles, reporting lines and team structure
- Plan your workforce for growth
- Review HR systems and processes
- Set up HR for new sites and business changes
- Build a yearly HR plan
Workplace culture and complex issues
Preventing bullying and harassment
- Meet your positive duty to prevent sexual harassment
- Arrange independent workplace investigations
- Align policies with state and federal laws
- Train staff on respectful behaviour
Independent contractors
- Verify contractor vs. employee status
- Minimise sham contracting risks
- Draft and interpret contractor agreements
- Check super obligations for contractors
Enterprise agreements & bargaining
- Interpret enterprise agreements
- Assess the implementation of a new enterprise agreement
- Navigate the “better off overall” test
- Support enterprise bargaining, agreement renewal or cancellation
Explore our other HR services
Speak to an HR consultant today.
Questions about our HR consulting services
Answers to the questions business owners ask most before working with an HR consultant.
What does an HR consultant do, and how can HR consulting services help my small business?
An HR consultant gives you expert human resource consulting for a specific project or decision, without the cost of employing an HR manager. Our HR consultants help Australian small and medium businesses with projects such as:
1. Restructures and redundancies, planned and carried out in line with the Fair Work Act.
2. Award and pay reviews to confirm coverage, classifications and correct pay.
3. HR policies, procedures and employment contracts tailored to your business.
4. Culture, performance and team structure projects that support growth.
Have an HR project in mind? Book your free consultation today.
How much does an HR consultant cost in Australia?
The cost of an HR consultant depends on the size and complexity of your project. We talk through what you need first, then recommend the most cost-effective option for your business. You can choose from:
1. Consultation packages for one-off HR projects.
2. HR retainer packages from $300 a month + GST, with no lock-in contracts.
3. Free initial advice on our 24/7 HR advice line.
Compare our HR retainer pricing, or contact us to talk through your project.
What is the difference between HR consulting and HR outsourcing, and which one do I need?
HR consulting is project-based. An HR consultant helps with a specific piece of work, such as a restructure, a policy review or a culture program, and the engagement ends when it is delivered. HR outsourcing is ongoing: we act as your outsourced HR department for a monthly fee. Many businesses start with a project and move to ongoing support as they grow.
My business needs urgent HR advice outside of office hours. Do you offer a 24/7 HR advice line?
Yes! We understand HR issues don't always happen on a 9-to-5 schedule. Our 24/7 HR advice line provides Australian businesses with immediate support whenever you need it. Get expert advice on employee conflicts, urgent policy questions, terminations, and more – day or night.
Do you have HR consultants in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra, or can you help my business remotely?
Yes. Our HR consultants support businesses right across Australia. Find out how we work with local employers on our pages for HR consultants in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra. Wherever you are, you get the same practical HR consultancy for small business, with a clear scope and plan.
Why choose Employment Compass as your HR consultants in Australia?
Our HR consultants focus on Australian employment law and the needs of small and medium businesses. You get practical advice that fits your business, a clear scope before work starts, and access to our 24/7 HR advice line, HR policies library and Fair Work representation if a matter escalates. We have helped over 450 businesses manage their people with confidence.