Average salaries of health and safety professionals increase 9.6 per cent, more than double the CPI, according to a recently released survey.

The 2011 SafeSearch annual salary survey showed a significant turnaround in salary packages in health and safety, with top levels in safety earning an average of $271K.

Managing Director of SafeSearch, a specialist search and recruitment business, Julie Honore says, one thing’s for sure, the GFC is certainly over for the HSE community.

“The survey results reflect that blanketed remuneration policies are no longer applicable if you want to attract and retain the best and the brightest,” Ms Honore said.

“Increased awareness and a willingness from organisations to tailor packages according to the demand for people at a particular geographical location and level, is a crucial strategy for businesses.”

”Insightful companies will realise the need to stay close to the ground – interpreting and acting on the demands of the local market,” Ms Honore said.

The survey includes data from over 60 Australian companies, primarily from the ASX 200, and covers a diverse range of industries including energy, resources, construction, manufacturing, industrial and retail.

It also revealed that:

  • General Managers HSE earned an average of Total Actual Remuneration (TAR) of $271,310, up from $221,509.
  • Total Actual Remuneration (TAR) in the top quartile rose from $247,350 to $312,198.
  • Short-term incentives were back on the radar, with companies looking for employees to meet more short-term performance indicators, as part of their remuneration package
  • Traditional geographical variations impact remuneration. Highest packages in safety saw NSW take the lead at the officer level, SA for advisor/coordinator, QLD for manager and national manager, and WA at the general manager level.
  • The mining, construction and resources sectors paid the highest remuneration, well beyond other sectors.