Business support salaries and compensation trends

2026 Salary Guide

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We understand how important business support teams are as the backbone of every organisation. They are often the first people to greet your customers when they walk into your office, or they work tirelessly behind-the-scenes to ensure your business runs efficiently. Yet in a market shaped by evolving technology, shifting workplace expectations, and rising demands for flexibility, how do you attract and retain the right talent? What roles are most in demand, and how are salaries evolving to reflect new priorities?

That’s why we have curated the 2026 Robert Half Business Support and Administrative Salary Guide to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to make the right employment decisions. Whether you're a hiring manager looking to attract top talent or a jobseeker hoping to find the perfect role, this guide provides valuable insights and Australian salary benchmarks based on Robert Half’s placement data to help the decision-making process.

Hiring managers: Get customised salary data and insights from a Robert Half talent solutions professional.

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Enter your city to localise national average salaries. Starting salaries can vary greatly depending on a professional’s skills and experience, company size and demand for the role.

Customer Service & Sales

Administration

Project Support

Senior Administration

Position title

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

Customer Service Representative

60000

65000

70000

Customer Service Officer

60000

65000

70000

Customer Service Team Leader

75000

80000

90000

Customer Service Manager

90000

105000

120000

25th percentile

The candidate is new to the role or has limited experience and is building necessary skills.

50th percentile

The candidate has moderate experience in the role, meets most requirements or has equivalent transferable skills, and may also have relevant certifications.

75th percentile

The candidate has extensive experience and advanced skills for the role, and may also have specialized certifications.

Salary range based on three percentiles The starting salaries represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits or superannuation.

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2026 business support compensation trends

Key insights at a glance

68%

of companies say they have adjusted salaries based on employees’ office attendance in the last two years

36%

of companies say they use online salary guides to determine salary ranges for open roles they haven’t hired for previously

35%

of companies say they use a mix of both proactive retention strategies and reactive counteroffers in response to turnover

91%

of companies say including salary information on the job ad improves the quality of applications they receive

Return to office puts pressure on salaries

Salaries for business support staff have largely stabilised, with movements now dictated more by supply and demand than by broad-based salary inflation. Employers are willing to pay more only when talent is in short supply, or if the role is business critical.

At the entry level, cost-of-living pressures have prompted modest salary increases, helping to attract and retain early-career professionals. Executive assistants and other in-office roles have seen upward adjustments as employers compensate for reduced flexibility and longer working hours.

(Higher) bonuses/allowance (69%)

Extra pay (68%)

Wellness programs or mental health support (33%)

Flexible working hours (33%)

Team-building or social events (32%)

Contract roles bridge the gap between caution and continuity

Contract and temp-to-perm arrangements have become increasingly common as companies take a cautious approach to hiring. Many organisations are using short-term contracts to assess the cultural and role fit before committing to permanent employment, ensuring stability in a time of ongoing business change.

Contract roles are also being used strategically to secure internal approvals for headcount, providing flexibility while maintaining operational continuity amid shifting priorities.

Lack of skilled applicants (61%)

Meeting candidates’ salary expectations (58%)

Losing applicants to competing organisations/counteroffers (58%)

Finding candidates who align with the company culture (57%)

AI technology is transforming business support roles, reshaping how professionals manage daily operations. Tasks such as scheduling, proofreading, tone checking, and minute-taking are becoming more automated, allowing teams to focus on higher-value responsibilities.

of companies say the compensation offered for the roles they hire for is appropriate for the level of skills and experience of companies say the compensation offered for the roles they hire for is appropriate for the level of skills and experience

of businesses say AI proficiency will continue to drive salary growth in their organisation over the next couple of years of businesses say AI proficiency will continue to drive salary growth in their organisation over the next couple of years

In-demand roles, skills, and industries hiring

Administrative:

Executive Assistant

Administrative Assistant

Company Secretary/Governance

Facilities Coordinator

Office support:

Office Coordinator

Office Manager

Receptionist

Microsoft 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)

Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides)

CRM (Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365, etc.)

ERP systems (SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365, etc.)

AI proficiency

Attention to detail

Prioritisation

Adaptability

Sense of initiative

Collaboration skills

Communication skills

Positive attitude

Organisational skills

Accountability

Reliability

Professional services

Not-for-profit

Healthcare and social assistance

Aged care

Financial services

Education

Retail

Construction (housing)

Mining services and exploration

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The salaries listed in Robert Half’s Salary Guide are the result of a rigorous, multistep process to ensure our projections accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on real compensation data from professionals Robert Half has successfully matched with employers across Australia.

The salaries listed in the salary tables represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits, or superannuation. We report salaries in three percentiles, recognising that professionals join companies at varied experience levels.

The non-salary data presented in this Salary Guide is derived from an online survey conducted by an independent research firm commissioned by Robert Half in October 2025. The survey gathered responses from 500 finance, accounting, IT and technology, and HR hiring managers employed by a diverse range of organisations in Australia, including SMEs and large companies.