How much does it cost to hire a labour hire worker?

The cost of hiring a labour hire worker in Australia depends on the trade, location, and shift type. Typical charge rates range from $53 to $126 per hour for the 2025/26 financial year, which includes the worker's pay rate plus oncosts such as superannuation (12%), workers compensation insurance (3-8%), payroll tax (4-7%), leave loading, and administrative margins. General labourers start from $53/hr, skilled trades from $66/hr, and specialist roles up to $126/hr. Harrison Barratt Group provides transparent rate breakdowns so you know exactly what you're paying for.

What are the hidden costs of hiring?

Hidden hiring costs include recruitment advertising ($2,000-$10,000 per role), interview time, onboarding and training (typically 3-6 months to full productivity), workers compensation insurance, superannuation, payroll tax, leave entitlements, HR administration, and the cost of a bad hire — estimated at 2-3x the annual salary. Using a labour hire agency like Harrison Barratt Group eliminates most of these hidden costs by bundling them into a single transparent charge rate.

How is the charge rate calculated?

A labour hire charge rate is calculated by starting with the base pay rate (determined by the relevant Modern Award or Enterprise Agreement), then adding mandatory oncosts: superannuation (currently 12%), workers compensation insurance (varies by trade, typically 3-8%), payroll tax (varies by state, 4-7%), leave loading (typically 4%), and an administrative margin. The total oncost loading is usually 25-35% on top of the base pay rate.

What oncosts are included in labour hire?

Labour hire oncosts typically include: superannuation (12% of ordinary time earnings), workers compensation insurance (3-8% depending on trade and risk classification), payroll tax (4.85-6.85% depending on state), annual leave loading (typically 4%), sick/personal leave accrual, public holiday entitlements, payroll processing and administration, and professional indemnity and public liability insurance. These oncosts are bundled into the charge rate so the client pays a single all-inclusive hourly rate.

The True Cost of a Bad Hire

A wrong hiring decision costs 2-3x the annual salary. Use our calculator to see the real impact — and discover why specialist recruitment pays for itself.

Select a Role

Cost of Getting It Wrong

$66,000

120% of annual salary

$27,500

Lost Productivity

$19,250

Recruitment × 2

$19,250

Training + Disruption

vs. Using Harrison Barratt Group

Hire Wrong Yourself

$66,000

Lost time, money, and morale

Hire Right with HBG

$9,625

One-time placement fee (17.5%)

Potential savings

$56,375

586% ROI on recruitment investment

Our Services

Labour Hire Permanent Recruitment Contract Staffing Managed Payroll Plant Hire Traffic Management Site Security

View All Services →

Let Us Find the Right Person — First Time

Harrison Barratt Group specialises in recruitment across 11+ industry sectors including construction, manufacturing, logistics, mining, engineering, and property. Our average time-to-fill is 14 days and our placement retention rate exceeds 90%.

Talk to a Recruiter View Salary Guide

The True Cost of a Bad Hire

A wrong hiring decision costs 2-3x the annual salary. Use our calculator to see the real impact — and discover why specialist recruitment pays for itself.

Select a Role

Cost of Getting It Wrong

$66,000

120% of annual salary

$27,500

Lost Productivity

$19,250

Recruitment × 2

$19,250

Training + Disruption

vs. Using Harrison Barratt Group

Hire Wrong Yourself

$66,000

Lost time, money, and morale

Hire Right with HBG

$9,625

One-time placement fee (17.5%)

Potential savings

$56,375

586% ROI on recruitment investment

Our Services

Labour Hire Permanent Recruitment Contract Staffing Managed Payroll Plant Hire Traffic Management Site Security

View All Services →

Let Us Find the Right Person — First Time

Talk to a Recruiter View Salary Guide

Start a Conversation

The True Cost of a Bad Hire

Select a Role

vs. Using Harrison Barratt Group

Let Us Find the Right Person — First Time

The True Cost of a Bad Hire

Select a Role

vs. Using Harrison Barratt Group

Let Us Find the Right Person — First Time