Key factors to consider

Performing a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) for hiring an employee involves evaluating the potential costs and benefits associated with the hiring decision. Here are the key factors to consider.


Costs of hiring an employee

Salary and wages: Calculate the employee's base salary, including any superannuation contributions and potential salary increases.

Recruitment costs: Include expenses related to advertising the job, interviewing candidates, and conducting background checks.

Onboarding and training: Account for expenses associated with the orientation and training of the new employee.

Employee benefits: Consider costs like paid leave, health insurance, and other benefits provided to the employee.

Overheads: Factor in the additional costs related to workspace, utilities, and equipment for the new employee.

Taxes and payroll levies: Determine the taxes and levies you are responsible for as an employer, including Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) withholding.

Compliance and legal costs: Ensure you are compliant with Australian employment laws, which may require legal advice or compliance-related expenses.


Benefits of hiring an employee

Increased productivity: Assess the potential increase in productivity and output due to the new hire.

Revenue generation: Estimate the additional revenue the employee may bring to the company through sales, service delivery, or other means.

Cost savings: Determine if the employee will help reduce costs, such as by automating tasks or improving efficiency.

Skillset Enhancement: Consider the expertise and skills the employee brings to the organization, which can contribute to long-term growth.

Employee retention: Evaluate if the new employee will help retain existing customers or employees, reducing turnover costs.

Strategic advantages: Examine how the employee fits into the company's strategic goals and whether they will contribute to achieving those objectives.


To conduct a CBA, you'll need to quantify both the costs and benefits in monetary terms. This analysis will help you determine whether the hiring decision is financially sound.

Keep in mind that the actual financial impact of hiring an employee can vary widely based on the specific circumstances of your business, industry, and the role you are looking to fill. It's essential to make realistic estimates and consider both short-term and long-term effects.

For more information on this topic, read the Harvard Business School's article on how to do a cost-benefit analysis.

Cost benefit analysis of hiring an employee

Top Talent

Want to recruit top talent?

Now that you better understand the cost of hiring an employee in Australia, you may be interested in learning more about 11 Recruitment's permanent recruitment services.

11 Recruitment is the leading perm and temp recruitment agency for white-collar staff. We source high achievers for jobs in Perth and throughout Australia.

At 11, we typically get involved in the recruitment process when a client is either seeking a high achiever to elevate their business, recruiting for a role that is hard to fill, or having difficulty sourcing or attracting suitable candidates.

We provide the following recruitment services.

Click the button below to learn more about how 11 Recruitment sources top talent for businesses throughout Australia.



Recruit top talent


>