How to read these benchmarks
All figures are 2026 base salaries in AUD, before super (12% mandatory) and before commission/bonus where noted. Sydney bands are listed; Melbourne typically sits ~6% lower, Brisbane ~10% lower. Bands represent the 25th–75th percentile of offers in our placement data over the last 12 months.
Property management — Sydney 2026
By city:
- Junior PM: Sydney $66–$76k / Melbourne $62–$72k / Brisbane $58–$68k
- Mid PM: Sydney $80–$92k / Melbourne $76–$88k / Brisbane $72–$84k
- Senior PM: Sydney $100–$120k / Melbourne $94–$110k / Brisbane $88–$104k
- Department Manager: Sydney $128–$158k / Melbourne $120–$148k / Brisbane $112–$138k
Leasing consultants and PM support — Sydney 2026
- Leasing consultant (junior): $60–$70k + leasing bonuses
- Leasing consultant (senior): $75–$90k + bonuses
- PM assistant: $58–$68k
- Trust accountant: $80–$105k
- Maintenance coordinator: $70–$88k
Leasing consultant bases lifted 9–12% YoY — the steepest rise in any real estate role. Tight rental supply made leasing speed a measurable revenue lever.
Business development — Sydney 2026
BDM is the highest-leverage role in most agencies. Base is only part of the picture.
- BDM (junior): $95–$115k base + commission
- BDM (experienced): $120–$155k base + commission
- Senior BDM / Head of BDM: $150–$190k + commission + rent-roll equity
Commission structures vary: per management gained $1,500–$3,000; % of first-year rent collected 8–15%; rent-roll acquisition 10–25% of acquired GCI in year 1. Realistic total comp ranges: $145–$220k for experienced BDMs; $250k+ for top performers.
Sales — Sydney 2026
- Sales associate: $55–$72k retainer + share of commission
- Sales agent (1–3 yr): $65–$90k retainer + 30–45% of own GCI
- Sales agent (3+ yr): $80–$110k retainer + 45–55% of GCI
- Sales manager: $160–$220k base + override
Typical take-home for a mid-performing sales agent in Sydney metro: $95–$185k. Top quintile: $250k+. Top decile in premium suburbs: $400k+.
Leadership — Sydney 2026
- Department Manager (PM): $128–$158k base
- Department Manager (Sales): $155–$210k base + override
- General Manager (mid-market): $190–$260k base + bonus
- Principal / Franchisee: $180–$280k base + profit share / equity
- CEO (group): $290–$420k + LTI
Year-on-year movement
Counter-offers: the proactive benchmarking case
A 44% counter-offer success rate is not positive — it means agencies are letting people resign before benchmarking. Re-benchmark senior PMs every 6 months. Adjust before resignation, not after.
Super and benefits
Super at 12% is mandatory. Competitive agencies offer super at 12.5–14%; branded vehicle for BDMs and sales; phone and laptop; CPD budget $1,200–$2,500/year; wellbeing stipend $500–$1,500/year; genuine flexible work for senior PMs.
How to use these benchmarks
Pick the role and city; adjust for your fee level (premium-suburb agencies pay 5–10% over); compare against 50th and 75th percentiles; identify roles below 25th percentile (flight risks); build a 6-month proactive adjustment plan.
If you sit below the 25th percentile on any role, expect 12-month attrition above 35%.
Closing thought
Pay parity isn't the whole game — rosters, leadership and portfolio caps matter as much. But in 2026, the agencies losing the talent war are also the ones still benchmarking annually.
Frequently asked questions
Why trust this guide
Written by Workforce Consultant specialists active in real estate. Reviewed by senior consultants before publication and refreshed when market conditions change. Last reviewed 20 June 2026.
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