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Projects, Strategy & Change Permanent Salaries for 2026 in Australia

How are permanent professionals in transformation being hired and rewarded in 2026?
Get a snapshot of demand, skills, and salary direction across Australia’s Projects, Strategy & Change market.

Hiring for Projects, Strategy & Change in Australia

Demand for transformation talent remained cautious but steady in 2025. Permanent hiring slowed, particularly in Sydney, as organisations tightened budgets and became more selective with headcount.

Many employers in the sector turned to contractors to keep critical change and regulatory programs moving.

Recruitment processes lengthened as decision makers sought greater assurance before hiring, but demand remained strong where skills were scarce. Regulatory and compliance-led initiatives continue to drive hiring, particularly across operational resilience, third-party risk, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and AML Tranche 2.

In-Demand Projects, Strategy & Change Roles in Australia

  • Program and Project Managers
  • Business Analysts and Change Managers
  • Portfolio Governance Leads and PMO Specialists
  • Strategy Managers

In-Demand Projects, Strategy & Change Skills in Australia

  • Regulatory change delivery (CPS 230, AML Tranche 2, privacy reforms)
  • Supplier and third-party risk management
  • Operational resilience planning
  • Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure expertise
  • Business process re-engineering capability
  • Strong stakeholder management, benefits realisation, and assurance/reporting skills that build executive confidence in program delivery

Up, Down, or Flat? Projects, Strategy & Change Salary Trends in Australia

Salaries across Projects, Strategy & Change have largely plateaued, with organisations choosing flexibility over permanent salary growth. Contractor rates have remained stable, with targeted uplifts where niche expertise or immediate availability is required.

Projects, Strategy & Change Salaries in Australia

Job Title
Search job title
Sub Sector Location
Job Title Sector Sub Sector Location Low Median High

Program Manager

Annual rate
Project Management Sydney $210,000 $230,000 $250,000

Program Director

Annual rate
Project Management Sydney $240,000 $260,000 $290,000

Project Manager (Projects 2m - 5m)

Annual rate
Project Management Sydney $130,000 $160,000 $180,000

Senior Project Manager (Projects 5m - 10m)

Annual rate
Project Management Sydney $170,000 $190,000 $210,000

PMO Analyst

Annual rate
Project Management Sydney $95,000 $105,000 $115,000

PMO Manager

Annual rate
Project Management Sydney $160,000 $170,000 $190,000

Agile Coach

Annual rate
Project Management Sydney $170,000 $190,000 $220,000

Scrum Master

Annual rate
Project Management Sydney $175,000 $200,000 $220,000

Senior Process Improvement Manager (Senior / Master Black Belt)

Annual rate
Project Management Sydney $180,000 $200,000 $220,000

Process Improvement Manager (Black Belt)

Annual rate
Project Management Sydney $135,000 $155,000 $175,000

Change Analyst

Annual rate
Change Management Sydney $75,000 $95,000 $120,000

Change Manager

Annual rate
Change Management Sydney $130,000 $150,000 $170,000

Senior Change Manager

Annual rate
Change Management Sydney $160,000 $170,000 $180,000

Change Lead

Annual rate
Change Management Sydney $200,000 $220,000 $240,000

Head of Change

Annual rate
Change Management Sydney $235,000 $250,000 $285,000

Communication Manager

Annual rate
Change Management Sydney $130,000 $150,000 $170,000

Learning and Development Consultant

Annual rate
Change Management Sydney $120,000 $140,000 $170,000

Business Process Analyst

Annual rate
Business Analysis Sydney $90,000 $140,000 $160,000

Business Analyst Manager

Annual rate
Business Analysis Sydney $160,000 $170,000 $190,000

Lead Business Analyst

Annual rate
Business Analysis Sydney $150,000 $170,000 $180,000

Senior Business Analyst

Annual rate
Business Analysis Sydney $150,000 $160,000 $170,000

Business Analyst

Annual rate
Business Analysis Sydney $120,000 $130,000 $155,000

Project Officers / Coordinators

Annual rate
Business Analysis Sydney $85,000 $110,000 $140,000

Strategy Analyst / Associate

Annual rate
Strategy Sydney $100,000 $120,000 $140,000

Senior Strategy Analyst / Associate

Annual rate
Strategy Sydney $120,000 $145,000 $160,000

Strategy Manager

Annual rate
Strategy Sydney $150,000 $165,000 $180,000

Senior Manager / Executive Manager

Annual rate
Strategy Sydney $180,000 $200,000 $220,000

Head of Strategy / Director

Annual rate
Strategy Sydney $230,000 $260,000 $290,000

General Manager

Annual rate
Strategy Sydney $300,000 $350,000 $450,000

Chief Transformation Officer

Annual rate
Strategy Sydney $350,000 $420,000 $550,000

Chief Strategy Officer

Annual rate
Strategy Sydney $400,000 $500,000 $600,000

Download Your 2026 Projects, Strategy & Change Salary Guide for Australia.

Permanent, temporary and contract salary data for a range of Projects, Strategy & Change roles, as well as insights and advice to guide your talent strategies.