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The 5 Best Employment Agencies in Melbourne That Will Turn Your Dreams into Paycheck

Industry Reputation: We chose agencies with strong reputations in the recruitment industry. Their longstanding presence and positive client feedback establish trust in their capabilities​.

Diverse Service Offerings: We selected agencies that provide a broad range of services, including permanent and temporary staffing, executive search, and HR solutions.

Specialization: We also considered a focus on niche markets such as property and construction, which can benefit clients looking for specific skill sets and experiences.

Market Insights and Additional Resources: We chose agencies offering valuable insights, such as salary guides and market trends, to help candidates and employers make informed decisions.

Are you a fresh grad looking for your first job right off the bat? Or are you someone thinking of calling it quits and seeking growth? Whatever you are, we can all agree that getting hired is difficult in this dog-eat-dog world.

This is true, especially for me, who left my previous job and felt a lost cause for a month or so.

And because I know how hard it is to deal with this change on your own, so our Best in Melbourne team compiled a list of the best employment agencies in the city that can help you find the job that fits your goals and needs.

How much do employment agencies charge in Melbourne?  

Employment agencies in Melbourne typically charge 10% to 25% of the candidate’s annual salary to the employer when a candidate is hired. The final percentage may vary depending on the agency and the agreement.

1. Hudson Recruitment

hudson-recruitment-logo

Address: Level 9, Suite 3/477 Collins St

Phone: (03) 9623 6666

Business hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30am – 5:30 pm

Website 

As seasoned pros in recruitment and talent management, Hudson Recruitment’s strength is its ability to go the extra mile for job seekers. 

Right from our first conversation, they took the time to understand not just my resume but my goals, strengths, and the kind of workplace where I’d thrive. 

Its services for job candidates are free, including job board access, career advice, and interview preparation. The fees will be charged through the employer, typically ranging from 15% to 25% of the candidate’s annual salary.

However, one aspect to consider is that their strong reputation draws highly competitive candidates, which means you might go neck-and-neck with other employees.

For the employers’ side, Hudson gets an edge due to its extensive network. They connect with both prominent and up-and-coming companies across a range of industries, particularly in finance, IT, and government roles.

Pros

  • Genuine interest in the employee
  • Market savvy
  • Job matches made in heaven
  • Regular updates
  • Growth-focused

Cons

  • High competition 
  • Niche focus
  • Process can take time
  • Limited entry-level roles

Customer Reviews

Very Friendly, Available, and Helpful

“I have been dealing with the Perth office. Una is quick to reply to any queries, help with an issues or just provide advice. Best recruiter I have ever dealt with and I highly recommend them if you are looking for a change. Very friendly, available and helpful.  And I got the job !”

— Catherine Haynes, Google Review

Very Professional and Supportive

“I found the process of signing up to their agency to be seamless and easy to do. The interview tips they provided was helpful. Mathilde, Una and Siobhan were all very professional and supportive with my job application, and kept me up to date throughout the process. I would give each of them 10 stars.”

— Ninna Still, Google Review

2. Randstad

randstad-logo

Address: Rialto Towers, Level 12/525 Collins St

Phone: +61 3 8319 1111

Business hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30am – 5:30 pm

Website

One of Randstad’s unique advantages is its focus on high-volume staffing and workforce management for companies that need reliable temp staff!

Many of their former clients that we talked to praised them for their reliable support in terms of job hunting.

The firm also has a presence in 38 countries, providing talent for multinational companies needing consistent workforce management across locations.

The downside, though, is that some candidates report feeling like “just another number.” They mention a lack of personal follow-up or feeling overlooked if they don’t fit a role immediately.

There is an inconsistency in consultants, either. Both clients and candidates mention frequent changes in their point of contact, which can lead to inconsistencies in service.

Pros

  • Strong local market knowledge
  • Efficient, tech-driven processes
  • Experienced industry-specific consultants
  • Reliable for temp and contract staffing

Cons

  • Can feel impersonal or high-volume
  • Slower response times occasionally
  • Limited options for niche positions
  • High turnover of recruitment staff

Customer Reviews

Above and Beyond

“Randstad Recruitment have been extremely pleasant to deal with over the past 2 years. I appreciate the time they take to understand your business and the effort they put in to grow the professional relationship. They really do go the extra mile. I’ve had many great dealings with different people at Randstad, but Simon Bonneau has been especially great, sourcing niche talent, which isn’t always easy to do! Keep up the great work team.”

— Tyrone Clough, Google Review

Professional and Genuinely Invested

“I have been with Randstad for a few years but over the last year Ben Thomas has been my consultant. Ben is reliable, checks in to see how I’m going and responds to any questions I have very quickly. He is always professional and genuinely invested in ensuring his clients are happy in their roles as well as providing other opportunities that may arise that he believes is suitable to them. He is my choice to recommend if any of my friends are looking for work.”

— Maria De Sensi, Google Review

3. Hays Recruitment

hays-recruitment-logo

Address: Level 21/360 Collins St

Phone: (03) 8616 8444

Business hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30am – 5:30 pm

Website

If you’re looking for a focus on your industry, Hays Recruitment should be on your list. 

The agency’s consultants are experts in their fields (such as finance, IT, and engineering), enabling them to match candidates precisely with roles requiring specialized knowledge.

It also provides a reliable, professional recruitment experience for both employers and job seekers.

For employers, Hays takes time to understand specific hiring needs and efficiently selects well-matched candidates. 

From a job seeker’s perspective, Hays offers access to a range of roles, including positions that aren’t widely advertised. They also maintain regular updates that make the job search feel organized. 

On the downside, some users reported occasional delays in response times or shifts in contact. 

Pros

  • Industry-specific expertise
  • Strong local market knowledge
  • Transparent communication and regular updates
  • Access to exclusive, specialized job opportunities

Cons

  • Experience can vary by consultant
  • Occasional delays in response times
  • Limited focus on entry-level roles
  • Emphasis on skilled/professional sectors only

Customer Reviews

Five-star Service

“I had the pleasure of working with Sara during my time as a surveillance officer in local council through Hays. Sara provided exceptional support and guidance throughout the hiring process, making my experience enjoyable. Her professionalism, dedication, and prompt issue resolution are truly commendable. Thanks to her, I transitioned smoothly and am thrilled to share that I have now accepted an ongoing position at Wyndham council. I highly recommend Sara for her five-star service and exceptional dedication. She is a true asset to anyone fortunate enough to work with her. Thank you, Sara, for everything! ❤️”

— Ishara Jayananda, Google Review

Super Cooperative

“Shermaine was like a literal angel. I would say it was her skills, more than mine, that helped me secure a job in Melbourne, which is quite challenging right now. I will be forever grateful to her and Hays for their assistance with my job hunt. Shermaine was quick to respond, kind, and made sure to check up on me after my first day at work, which was incredibly thoughtful. While they may take a while to get started, they are super cooperative and supportive thereafter. I highly, highly recommend them for design jobs.”

— Ayesha Aliyar, Google Review

4. Talent International

talent-international-logo

Address: Rialto South Tower, Level 17/525 Collins St

Phone: +61 3 9602 4222

Business hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30am – 5:30 pm

Website

One of the lesser-known recruitment agencies, Talent International, prides itself in its strong expertise across multiple sectors. This allows them to understand the specific demands and nuances of each industry.

They demonstrate a strong commitment to understanding specific hiring needs that match the company’s culture. Plus, their consultants are knowledgeable about the local market, which helps streamline recruitment!

The clients that we interviewed said the firm took the time to understand their skills and career aspirations, connecting them with opportunities that aligned with their goals. 

Some, however, did say there were moments when they felt the focus was more on filling positions quickly rather than thoroughly assessing fitness.

Communication can occasionally fall short too. Some clients experienced delays in updates or a mismatch between candidate profiles and job requirements.

Customer Reviews

Exceptionally Well

“My experience of working with Navita and Talent have been exceptionally well. She supported me throughout my selection process & always conveyed the updates on my application over phone and emails. Her response towards my queries are very quick and clear. From contractor’s prospective, Talent website is very user friendly to use. I’ll highly recommend Talent in my network.”

— Shivanshu Satyam, Google Review

Very Satisfactory Experience

“I had a very satisfactory experience with Talent. I had been in contact with several other recruitment companies earlier but none could match the service and efficiency of Talent Melbourne. I was impressed with Aman Singh specially. He understood my core strength and aspirations and provided matching opportunities. He guided me on personal as well as professional level. I would strongly recommend Talent Melbourne to any one looking for opportunities here.”

— Gyan Kushwah, Google Review

5. IPA Personnel

ipa-personnel-logo

Address: Level 5/350 Collins St

Phone: (03) 8599 8666

Business hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30am – 5:30 pm

Website

Despite being a smaller agency, don’t underestimate IP Personnel yet. Its local focus allows them to stay closely connected to Melbourne’s job market, which helps in finding candidates who are ready to hit the ground running.

Trying their services feels more personal as they invest time in understanding our career goals and skills. This made the job search process feel less transactional and more supportive.

But then, their resources and reach can feel limited compared to larger firms, which sometimes leads to fewer candidate options. Opportunities presented may also be limited, as IP Personnel’s network isn’t as vast as that of bigger agencies.

Because it’s a smaller agency, IP Personnel is also appreciated for its personalized and attentive approach to recruitment. 

Employers highlight the agency’s commitment to understanding specific hiring needs, with a strong focus on quality over quantity

Overall, IP Personnel’s edge lies in its tailored, local approach and its commitment to relationship-building.

Customer Reviews

Creative Problem-Solving Skills

“Working with IPA Agency from 2022 till now is a pleasure and has impressed me with their services. Their strategic approach, combined with creative problem-solving skills, resulted in outstanding outcomes that exceeded my expectations. However, my consultant Anne Nguyen provided invaluable insights and assistance on my project. Her expertise and responsiveness were impressive, and she goes above and beyond to ensure my objectives were met. I highly recommended Anne for consultancy services to anyone seeking knowledgeable and reliable support.”

— Sala Fetineiai, Google Review

IPA has been impressive in supporting me through the recruitment process. Louise is a great professional who communicated clearly, sought to understand my needs, made very helpful suggestions about tailoring my application approach, and was positive and responsive when engaging with me. I have been helped at every stage through to employment and feel very confident about commencing in my new workplace. Thank you!

— Elizabeth Hutchinson, Google Review

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