Insights

Market insights and salary guides

A practical view from the Serve Smart recruitment team — what roles pay, where the market is moving, and how to hire well right now.

Salary guide

Community & aged care, Launceston / northern TasRegistered Nurse$75k – $110k

Casual hourly rates $33 – $45Disability Support Worker$60k – $78k

Café, restaurant & aged care kitchensChef / Chef de Partie$65k – $95k

Casual hourly rates $28 – $38Barista$55k – $70k

Salon & spa, mid-levelBeauty Specialist$55k – $80k

High-street & shopping centreRetail Store Manager$70k – $95k

Indicative AUD ranges, AUD per annum unless noted. Actual offers vary by experience and location.

Write a brief that earns attention

Lead with the team, the impact, and the must-haves. Candidates skip vague JDs — specifics win shortlists.

Move fast on the shortlist

Top candidates are off the market in days. Aim to interview within 48 hours of seeing a strong profile.

Make the offer stick

Reference checks and a clean offer in the same week beat a drawn-out process. Warm candidates say yes.

Hire for the ceiling, not just the floor

Skills can be taught; reliability and motivation can't. We weight those as heavily as the CV.

Most roles now list hybrid or flexible rosters as an expectation, not a perk.

Employers are filling gaps with contract and temp-to-perm hires while perm budgets thaw.

Hands-on experience and certifications increasingly outweigh degree requirements.

Put these insights to work — share your brief and we'll line up the right people.