The 5 Best Employment Agencies in Canberra for Sourcing Top Talent and Job Opportunities
A buddy of mine just quit his job to kickstart his own small business (all fired up, of course). But then, bam—he’s faced with the big boss dilemma: who’s gonna do the work?
He turned to employment agencies, thinking, “Easy fix, right?” Well, turns out, there are loads of them in Canberra, all promising top talent. But who’s really bringing their A-game?
So, I did the deep dive (you’re welcome, mate) and rounded up the best employment agencies in Canberra. These aren’t just any agencies; they’re the ones you can trust to take the hiring headache off your plate.
If you’re a new business owner—or just sick of sifting through resumes—this list is for you. Because, hey, finding the right people should feel like a win, not a second job.
How much do employment agencies charge in Canberra?
Employment agencies in Canberra typically charge between 10% and 20% of the candidate’s annual salary, depending on the role’s complexity, industry, and agency reputation.
Some agencies offer customizable packages, such as dedicated recruitment specialists or ongoing support for new hires, allowing you to tailor the service to meet your specific hiring needs.
1. Express Employment Professionals
Address: 15 Tench St
Phone: (02) 6257 8223
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Express Employment Professionals is a big name in the staffing world, and they’ve earned it by connecting job seekers with businesses that actually need their skills.
The agency is led by Sylvia Elix, a recruitment pro with 20 years in the industry. Sylvia’s got that perfect mix of experience and warmth, bringing a personal touch to an otherwise formal process.
But it’s not just Sylvia; the whole team is trained and experienced to assist you throughout the process. No guesswork, no hassle—just reliable support from start to finish.
They offer top-notch workforce solutions from screening to evaluation through their ISO-registered hiring procedure. This only means that you’re getting candidates who are thoroughly vetted and ready to work.
On the downside, their thorough screening can take longer than expected. If you need a quick hire, Express might not be the fastest option.
Customer Reviews
Great management team
“I have been working as a chef more than 10 years I found the Express Employment has great management team. They’re extremely organised with giving shifts and had great experience. Sad to be moving interstate, hopefully they will branch out to other states. best wishes to Sylvia, Jack and others and Express!!”
— Sandesh Pandey, Google Review
Absolute pleasure to deal with
“We now run the club Bistro 2620 after 43 years of having several contract caters providing meals to our patrons at the club. Due to our head chef having an emergency operation 2 weeks into us taking over, we were left with quite a few hiccups with not being able to acquire chefs to help out until he got back to work. We heard of Sylvia of frontline Temps and she immediately came to the rescue and organised chefs to fix our dilemma. She was an absolute pleasure to deal with and went above and beyond to make it as easy as possible.”
— Leigh Kiely, Google Review
2. SOS Recruitment
Address: Unit 11, Level 1 The Fringe, 24 Iron Knob St
Phone: (02) 6260 8888
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
When it comes to finding job help, SOS Recruitment is your go-to buddy. Since 1998, their mission has been to be the long-term partner you can count on for all your hiring needs.
They’re even part of the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association (RCSA), so you know they’re playing by the rules and keeping it legit.
I can’t recommend them enough for their top-notch database of registered job seekers—seriously, they can help you snag candidates in no time flat.
They cover a bunch of industries, too, from finance and payroll to environmental services and education. So, whatever you’re looking for, they’ve got the talent ready to go.
A little warning, though: their permanent placement fees are higher than those of other agencies. They charge 15% plus GST for salaries up to $54,999, so if you’re working with a tight budget, it’s best to weigh your options before committing.
Customer Reviews
Extremely professional, supportive, and empathetic team
“I had a fantastic experience with SOS Recruitment during my contract tenure. Rebecca Cosan is a Great Recruitment Specialist, extremely professional, supportive, empathetic and has got a very strong human centric approach. The entire team at SOS recruitment are absolute SUPERSTARS!! Their online Portal is extremely user friendly too. I would highly recommend SOS recruitment to anyone looking for future job opportunities.”
— Sachin lalwani, Google Review
Supportive and thorough from start to finish
“I’ve dealt with recruitment agencies before, though my experience with SOS recruitment has been the best. I felt welcome and in good hands right from the start. My first interview with Cameron put me at ease. When he asked if I had any questions, I didn’t have any as he’d already covered all my concerns and then some. Cameron made me feel like I had support regardless if I got the job or not. However, due to some rush work from Cameron to get my application in, as I applied so late. I’m not sure many would go to the trouble in the final hour, so I couldn’t be more grateful. Paris has also been very helpful when I got further along in the recruitment process. I can’t sing the praises of SOS recruitment enough. I was job hunting for months, before I was lucky enough to come across them.”
— Adam George, Google Review
3. face2face Recruitment
Address: Unit 10 3-5 Phipps Cl
Phone: (02) 6199 5750
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
face2face Recruitment is not your average staffing agency—they’re here to shake things up, bringing a refreshing approach to job hunting.
Their skilled team handles recruitment across all levels and various industries, including government, private sector, not-for-profits, and the IT/ICT field.
And guess what? face2face Recruitment’s services are totally free. Yep, you won’t pay a dime for consultations or advice—so you’ve got nothing to lose.
Plus, they’re all about being friendly and fun to work with. We all know job searching can be a nerve-wracking experience, that’s why you deserve someone who gets you and genuinely cares about your journey.
But it’s not all perfect. It’s worth noting that their customer service can be a bit hit or miss. Some clients have found that communication can be a bit rocky, so keep that in mind while you’re filling vacancies.
Customer Reviews
Attentive team and generally wonderful to work with
“I’ve had such a wonderful experience with Face2Face recruitment! Tony and also Jess were so supportive, attentive and generally wonderful to work with. They liaised back and fourth with the company, putting forward any queries/requests with ease. They prepped me for my interview and always followed up promptly. I would definitely recommend them for any recruitment services that you need. I have dealt with other recruitment agencies before and this is probably the best one so far that I have come across!”
— S M, Google Review
Professional and responsive staff
“Dani and Face2Face Recruitment got me a job! The service was great and timely, including prompt response to my queries and emails. Importantly, professional, candid and respectful rapport was quickly and easily established to meet and understand my employment needs – which transferred to matching with relevant clientele. Face2Face’s specialist governmental knowledge regarding jobs available was also highly appreciated, bringing confidence my application process was focused, genuine and administratively efficacious. Thank you Dani!”
— Daniel Lutton, Google Review
4. Hays
Address: Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke St
Phone: (02) 6112 7666
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Hays is a recruitment wizard shaking things up in the hiring world. With their finger on the pulse of the job market, they specialize in connecting the right talent with the right organizations.
Offering a range of services across various industries, Hays is all about innovation. They craft fresh solutions to tackle the workforce challenges you face in complex organizations, acting as savvy partners in your hiring process.
For job seekers, they’re a fantastic resource. They provide the expertise, connections, and tools to help you reach your career goals, including a salary checker, free online learning, and career advice.
Despite all these perks, note that some folks have reported that the agents can disappear after a week and don’t respond to emails. If you’re counting on consistent communication, that could be frustrating.
Customer Reviews
Very efficient service
“I would throughly recommend Hays, I worked as a contractor through them for 6 months, and worked hard enough to secure a permanent role at my assignment. The whole process is no fuss, and they can find you work very fast. I was paid on time no problems, and had the invitation to call the office if I had any dramas. I had Aedan as my case manager, he’s a true gentleman and very efficient at what he does. As long as you are willing to put in the work, Hays will give you the opportunity.”
— Matticus Silverman, Google Review
Professional and competent recruitment specialists
“I cannot speak highly enough about recruitment consultant, Jayde. Jayde was professional and competent in her dealings in matching me with suitable contract work. She was knowledgeable about the opportunities available and the varying recruitment processes of government departments (including likely timeframes for filling advertised positions). Jayde was well spoken, approachable and answered all my questions regarding the recruitment process. She kept me up to date on the progress of my application – even contacting me on her first day of leave. Jayde followed up on things as promised which has not always been my experience with other consultants. Based on my experience, I would use Hays Canberra again to seek future contracting opportunities.”
— Naomi, Google Review
5. Randstad
Address: Level 5/15 London Cct
Phone: (02) 6132 3800
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
I can’t wrap up this list without mentioning Randstad, the world’s largest talent company and a trusted partner for clients everywhere for over 60 years.
They cater to a diverse range of industries, so whether you’re in manufacturing, defense, or construction, your chances of landing a job with Randstad look pretty good.
Plus, all their services are backed by a team of trained professionals and recruiters who really know their stuff.
On top of that, employers will appreciate their business support services, which focus on sales, marketing, communications, and SMEs. You’ll be in great hands for finding the right talent to drive your business forward.
But their pricing? That’s where the rub comes in. Their fees are a bit higher than those of other agencies. If you’re not ready to splurge, they might not be the best fit for your budget.
Customer Reviews
Quality service with the best possible outcome
“Kate was my consultant and has assisted me for a number of months now with getting a job back in the government sector. Kate has been extremely supportive, knowledgable and organised when dealing with me as well as being fast acting when responding to both emails and phone calls. Kate has shown incredible dedication and heart when it comes to providing quality service and striving for the best possible outcome for me. In turn what this has done is put me into a career I enjoy and allowed me to move on with my life. Thankyou Kate”
— Jay Craswell, Google Review
Provides dedicated employment approach
“Big shout out to Maddy Hellawell for her dedicated approach to finding the perfect new role for me. Maddy took the time to meet with me, carefully reviewed my skillset and arranged an interview at a workplace that turned out to be a great culture-fit. Love her friendly disposition and attention to detail – you know you’re well-cared for with Maddy helping you out!”
— M Power, Google Review