- Overview of management consultants in Australia
- Projected job growth of 32.2 per cent over the next five years
- Average annual salary of $90,000 to $110,000, with management consultants residing in the Northern Territory earning the highest average of $179,000
- There are currently 64,900 management consultants employed in Australia
- Median age of 42
- Top management consulting firms in Australia include McKinsey & Company, KPMG, Deloitte, Boston Consulting Group and EY
What does a management consultant do?
Think of a management consultant as a trusted outside advisor. They’re not part of the internal politics, are impartial and are brought in specifically to see what those on the inside can’t. When an organisation is stuck, restructuring or just not performing the way it should, management consultants are brought in to diagnose the problem and chart a way forward. It’s an intellectually demanding role that requires the ability to translate complex information, work under pressure and communicate effectively.
Why are management consultants in high demand?
The Australian management consulting market is projected to reach $14.8 billion by 2033. What are the factors contributing to this demand?
Navigating complexity and change
Businesses today are operating in an environment of near-constant disruption with economic volatility, workforce transformation and cost pressures. Management consultants are sought by organisations to help solve their biggest challenges while minimising disruption, maximising impact and extracting new value.
Digital transformation and technology
A recent survey conducted by KPMG cited new technologies, including AI, along with digital transformation and optimisation as the top challenges for Australian business leaders in 2026. Management consultants can help organisations pave a path forward by helping them develop the right culture, build the right skills and establish the technology foundations needed to succeed.
Specialised expertise
Many organisations engage management consultants to access expertise they may not have in-house. Management consultants have specialised knowledge across a variety of sectors and industries from financial services to education, along with competencies in areas such as strategy, advanced analytics, digital transformation and sustainability.
ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and regulatory compliance
As Australia transitions towards a more sustainable economy, an increasing number of organisations are recognising sustainability as an opportunity to reduce risk and build trust. In addition, with mandatory sustainability reporting requirements being rolled out, businesses are under growing pressure to meet their obligations. Management consultants can support organisations by integrating sustainability into their business decisions while ensuring compliance with sustainability reporting requirements.
How to become a management consultant
If you’d like to be a part of the dynamic world of management consulting, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree in business, commerce or a related field. Upon completion of your degree, you can apply for one of the many internship programs offered by leading consultancy firms such as Bain & Company and Deloitte. These programs will introduce you to the world of consulting as you’ll work directly alongside consultants and develop the skills needed to succeed in the role.
If you’re coming from another field or would like to further strengthen your business skills, a postgraduate business qualification can help you develop and hone the skills required to be a successful consultant. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) will provide broad fluency across strategy, finance, operations and leadership. For a more accessible entry point, a Graduate Certificate in Business builds foundational knowledge across accounting, finance, management and economics, with some universities offering the added benefit of continuing towards an MBA should you choose to progress further.
Hone your business skills to become a management consultant
If you’re interested in being a part of this challenging yet rewarding field, pursuing postgraduate education can be an effective way to sharpen your expertise and build on your business skills. To get started, explore the wide array of postgraduate business courses offered by leading Australian institutions in our StudyNext catalogue.
