"How to Negotiate Your Salary in Australia"

Most candidates leave money on the table because they’re afraid to negotiate.

After placing hundreds of candidates, I’ve seen the difference between those who negotiate and those who don’t. It’s often $10,000 to $20,000 per year – sometimes more.

Here’s what actually works in the Australian job market.

When to Negotiate

The best time to negotiate is after you have the offer but before you accept. At this point, they’ve decided they want you. You have leverage.

Don’t negotiate during the first interview. Don’t bring up salary until they do. Let them fall in love with you first.

Know Your Market Value

Before any negotiation, you need data. Check:

• Seek salary insights for your role and location
• Hays salary guide
• LinkedIn salary insights
• Glassdoor salary data

Know the range for your role in your city. If the market pays $90K-$110K, don’t ask for $150K.

The Negotiation Conversation

When they make an offer, don’t accept immediately. Say something like:

“Thank you for the offer. I’m really excited about this opportunity. I was hoping we could discuss the salary – based on my experience and the market rate, I was expecting something closer to [X].”

Then stop talking. Let them respond.

What’s Negotiable Beyond Salary

If they can’t move on base salary, try:

• Signing bonus
• Extra annual leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Professional development budget
• Earlier salary review (3 months instead of 12)
• Car allowance or parking

Sometimes these add up to more than a salary increase.

When NOT to Negotiate

Don’t negotiate if:

• The offer is already above your expectations
• They’ve clearly stated the salary is fixed
• You’re entry-level with no leverage
• The company is a startup with genuine budget constraints

Pushing too hard can cost you the offer entirely.

The Counter-Offer Trap

If your current employer counter-offers after you resign, think carefully. Statistics show 80% of people who accept counter-offers leave within 12 months anyway.

The reasons you wanted to leave usually don’t disappear with more money.

If you want help preparing for a salary negotiation – what to say, how to respond to pushback, and how to maximise your package – book a coaching session. I’ve been on both sides of these conversations for 15 years.