Harbour City Recruitment | June 2025 Update

Over the past 12 months, the Sydney office support landscape has experienced a period of recalibration. While job advertisement volumes have declined, demand for high-quality candidates remains strong — particularly for experienced Receptionists and Senior Executive Assistants.

Reception Roles: Urgency & Opportunity

Corporate and medical receptionist roles can now command salaries of up to $80,000 per annum + super, particularly within fast-paced environments. At Harbour City Recruitment, we’ve seen a sharp rise in temporary receptionist hires during the EOFY period, driven by annual reporting, staff leave, and increased admin workloads.

Many of these roles are being filled within 24–48 hours, highlighting just how crucial speed and readiness are in today’s hiring climate.

Senior EAs: Strategic Business Support

Salaries for Senior Executive Assistants in Sydney typically sit between $100,000–$150,000 per annum, inclusive of super. The role has evolved significantly — today’s EA is a gatekeeper, project manager, and trusted advisor all rolled into one.

At Harbour City Recruitment, we’ve found that clients are looking beyond experience alone. Strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and tech-savviness are now essential to securing top EA roles.

Decline in Job Advertisements

While demand for quality hires remains high, the volume of job advertisements across the Admin & Office Support sector declined by 18.6% year-on-year (as of Feb 2024). This likely reflects a normalisation of hiring activity post-COVID, rather than a true downturn. Hiring is stabilising — and becoming more selective.

Salary & Superannuation Increases

Temporary admin staff are now expecting minimum salaries of $65,000–$75,000, reflecting rising living costs and the increased scope of many support roles. Superannuation has also increased to 11.5%, further impacting overall cost-to-hire calculations.

Skills and AI: The New Currency

Employers are prioritising skills over traditional qualifications. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRMs, digital tools, and even AI prompt engineering is becoming increasingly valuable in the office support space.

At Harbour City Recruitment, we’re seeing more clients request candidates who can hit the ground running across both tech and customer service platforms.

Return to Office Expectations

While remote work remains part of the mix, hybrid and full-time onsite models are regaining momentum. Employers are favouring candidates who can work in-office five days a week, especially in client-facing or collaborative teams.

Low Unemployment, High Engagement

With unemployment in NSW at just 3.7%, and 73% of job seekers actively looking, competition is heating up. That means hiring managers need to act fast and offer competitive packages — and candidates need to stay sharp, upskilled, and adaptable.

The Harbour City Outlook

The market is shifting — not slowing. Whether you're hiring or job seeking, the key is agility, tech-readiness, and timing. Harbour City Recruitment continues to work with employers across Sydney to fill business-critical support roles quickly and effectively.

Want to chat about what this means for your team or your next role?

📩 Get in touch with our team today.