Juggling HR tasks while trying to grow your Australian business is like spinning plates. One bad move can move you crashing down. Miss a compliance update? That’s a fine. A payroll error? Now you’ve got a disgruntled team. A bad hire? There go thousands in recruitment costs.
This is the area in which HR consultancy can assist, not simply as a supportive entity, but as a strategic partner that saves time, money, and reduces stress.
Why Your Business Needs HR Support?
Think HR is just about hiring and firing? Think again. It’s the backbone of your business, covering:
- Payroll & superannuation (Get it wrong, and the ATO will notice)
- Workplace compliance (Fair Work updates, awards, contracts)
- Employee disputes (Poorly handled conflicts = high turnover)
- Recruitment & retention (Hiring the wrong person costs way more than you think)
Many small businesses attempt to manage their HR in-house to save money—but often end up wasting more time and risking penalties.
Real-World Example:
A Melbourne-based café owner attempted to handle payroll internally but accidentally underpaid staff due to misinterpreting award rates. The result? A $15,000 back-payment bill plus legal fees. An HR consultant could’ve spotted the mistake early.
How HR Consultancy Saves You Money?
1. Avoid Costly Compliance Mistakes
Australian employment laws change frequently. For example:
- Did you know casual employee entitlements were overhauled in 2024?
- Are your contracts aligned with the latest Fair Work amendments?
An HR consultant keeps you compliant, so you avoid fines like:
⚠ Up to $18,780 per violation for underpayments
⚠ Legal penalties for unsafe workplace practices
2. Cut Recruitment Costs
Replacing an employee can cost 6-9 months of their salary (SHRM research). HR consultants help:
- Write job ads that attract the right candidates (No more sifting through 100+ resumes)
- Structure interviews to spot red flags early
- Improve onboarding so new hires stay longer
3. Reduce Employee Turnover
People don’t quit jobs—they quit bad managers and unclear expectations. HR consultants:
- Train leaders on effective communication
- Implement engagement programs (e.g., flexible work policies)
- Mediate conflicts before they escalate
4. Free Up Your Time for Growth
How many hours do you spend each week on:
- Payroll processing?
- Answering employee policy questions?
- Updating workplace handbooks?
An HR consultant handles this, so you can focus on scaling your business.
When Should You Hire an HR Consultant?
- You’re spending more than 5 hours/week on HR tasks
- Employee issues are eating into productivity
- You’re hiring or expanding and need proper systems
- You’ve had compliance scares (e.g., near-misses with Fair Work)
Kedra Digi: HR Experts Who Understand Your Business
We facilitate human resources, empowering your business with clarity.
Here’s how we’ve helped others:
- A tech startup cut recruitment time by 40% using our hiring framework
Want HR that works as hard as you do? Let’s talk.