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Consulting Industry

List of consulting firms in Australia

AN IMPORTANT step towards obtaining a job in a consulting firm is to create a target list of firms that you would like to work for. This can be a very time consuming process.

With the view to saving you a couple of hours, I have prepared a list of consulting firms operating in Australia. This is not an exhaustive list, so if I have overlooked any good consulting firms (I have), let me know.

To make it easier to find the consulting firm you are looking for, consulting firms have been grouped in one of four categories: Strategy and general business, Human resources, Information technology, and Sustainability. Where a consultancy could have been placed under more than one heading, I have placed under the heading I thought was most relevant.

Although some of the consulting firms listed below operate internationally, I have created this list specifically for Australia, but don’t despair! I intend to create specific lists for other countries, for example, India, the UK, USA, Singapore, and China. I plan to do this over the next few months.

Of all the firms I looked at, I have only included the ones that appeared to be of good quality. If you have used any of these firms, please let everyone know what you thought of them – the good and the bad.

Since there are quite a few firms, I have broken the list down into four categories:

  1. Strategy and general business consulting
  2. HR (human resources) consulting
  3. IT (information technology) consulting
  4. Sustainability consulting

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32 replies on “List of consulting firms in Australia”

Hi Tom, I’m looking for a career change into consulting (IT Consulting to be more specific) and was wondering what the best approach would be. Is it best to simply follow the instructions on their websites (i.e. just click “apply now”) or should I try to get in through a graduate program, recruitment drive, etc? I am about to contact the recuirtment department of a number of firms for some advice but was wondering if you might be able to give me a few pointers first.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

– ThinkinDave

ThinkinDave,

I don’t know your specific circumstances. Grad programs are normally geared towards people who are just out of uni, but I would highly recommend trying to get into a consulting firm through a grad program. Grad programs typically have well structured training programs that people who don’t join through a grad program sometimes miss out on.

The benefit of applying for a grad program or through a recruitment drive is that you know the firm is looking to hire and that you’re not wasting your time.

If you are planning to apply online for a consulting firm, it is a good idea to call the recruitment department and ask questions. I say this for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it’s not only about firms choosing people they want to hire, it’s also about you choosing the firm that’s right for you. So, ask questions and be assertive. Secondly, you can write a much better application if you have called the HR department and asked some questions.

Hope this helps somewhat. Does anyone else have any advice for ThinkinDave?

Tom

Thanks Tom,

I’m not sure if I’m eligible to enter via a grad program (I completed my undergraduate degree in 2006) but I will definitely look into it. I’m also starting an MBA this year so maybe I can use that somehow. Anyway thanks for all your help and I’ll let you know if i find out anything helpful from my enquiries.

Also wanted to mention that this site is amazing! Basically everything a person could want to know about getting into consulting in one place. I’m sure I speak on behalf of many when I say thanks Tom!!!

– ThinkinDave

i am about to complete a masters in public health, specialising in economic evaluation. Is there any hope in applying to consulting companies, or I would need to have a business background?

Pamela,

There is a lot of hope in applying to consulting firms.

Consulting is really about problem solving, a business background is not a requirement, although it might be useful. Consulting firms hire graduates from a very broad range of disciplines including: engineering, science, economics, law, and arts.

Cheers,

Tom

Hi Tom,

I have a strong background in financial services, specialising in business analyst roles and project management.

I have already looked at several of the major consulting firms but feel limited as I am only available to do contract work. Do you know of somewhere that specifically hires contract workers? I can do up to 6 months in any one company.

Elaine,

I have three suggestions: (1) call the HR department of each consulting firm that interests you and speak to them directly; (2) put your name down with some recruitment agencies, they are in the business of finding contract workers for companies who have a temporary labour shortage; and (3) I’m not sure what skills/experience you have, but you might want to create your own consulting business, this would give you more control over when you work.

I’m sorry that I can’t be more specific.

Does anyone else have any ideas?

Hi Tom,

I have a engineering background and right now working as a portfolio analyst in a small financial services firm. I would like to move into consulting. Could you please please provide me with a list of boutique consulting firms in sydney.

Hi Tom

I am preparing a paper on the growth of sustainability consulting and I am looking for statistics concerning the size of this market in Australia. Could you please assist me with some leads on where I could obtain this information. Thanks!

Hi Tom,

I am currently working for a reputable management consulting firm in NZ for the last 20 months. I am thinking of coming over to Australia and looking for better oppertunites.

I do have an engineering background however i have worked on both technical and strategy based roles – i pressume this classifying me under general business skills.

I want to work for a global organisation where I will have the oppertunity to work on overseas projects as well. Given my background I believe that I am best suited for a TI (technology integration) role. I do want to have a technology based role with a business process analysis component. I dont want to get to techy as that is one of the reasons why I didnt persue a carrer in engineering.

It would be very much appreciated if you have any advice that could help me. Also would you have an idea of companies that I should apply too?

Ta
PK

Hi Tom,

I like your site and the information that you share with us. I was wondering whether you could share a list of names of Strategy Consulting / Boutique / General Management companies in Europe.

Best Regards
Rahul

Rahul, that is a great idea! I have not yet put together such a list. I had considered doing this a while ago, but as you can imagine I have been a little busy with other things.

I will see what I can put together over the next few weeks.

Cheers, Tom

G’Day Tom

I’m a graduate from UNSW with a background in Arts (majoring in psychology)and I have been interested in entering the field of business/management consulting. What advice would you have for someone like me (fresh out of uni, young and eager) about applying at one of the firms you’ve mentioned? Are there specific requirements, qualities that consulting firms look for when considering applicants?

Thanks in advance

Dan

[reply sent via email, but thought it would benefit others so have posted it here]
Dan,

Thanks for your message.

Each firm will have their own concept of what is important, and you need to tailor your application to emphasise the skills that the firm thinks are important. It may help to read this post:
http://www.tomspencer.com.au/2008/05/17/researching-consulting-firms-what-do-you-need-to-know/

For example, Mckinsey thinks four very important personal skills are:

1. Problem solving,

2. Achievement,

3. personal impact, and
4. leadership.

The firms assess you through the application process, starting with the cover letter and resume. I wrote a post on cover letters which should help:
http://www.tomspencer.com.au/2009/01/08/cover-letters-win-interviews/

As for resume writing, check out “The Fast Track” by Mariam Nifacy (you can pick it up on Amazon) If you can keep it down to one page, then that is good.

Most consulting firms (the big ones at least) use the case interview to assess candidates. As a starting point, you may want to read these two posts:

http://www.tomspencer.com.au/2009/09/13/top-5-tips-to-nailing-the-management-consulting-interview/
http://www.tomspencer.com.au/2008/04/19/the-consulting-case-interview-10-tips-for-a-successful-performance/

You should also visit http://www.caseinterview.com/ and watch the videos.

After you have done that, hit me back if you have more questions.

Best Regards,
Tom

Hi Tom,

I have found the information on your site very interesting and helpful as I try to move my career into the consulting arena, so thank you. One thing I am finding a little challenging as I research companies to approach, is which companies work with Healthcare in Australia. There doesn’t seem to be many, or am I looking in the wrong places?

Thanks for your help,
Bronwyn

Hi Tom,

I am looking for IT consulting companies who are willing to sponsor international candidates to work in Australia or Newzealand.I work as a SAP MM Consultant in United States on work visa.Can you please suggest any companies who are looking to sponsor.

Thanks,
Raj.

Hi Tom,

I am an MBA aspirant and looking forward to apply to Australian Business schools(AGSM and MBS). My future career goal is to move to a management consulting role , however currently I am working as an SAP technical consultant with an Indian MNC.

Request you to give me an insite of how strong these schools are for managment consulting concentration and moreover which among the two is best suited for the same. Also what kind of work profile will an IT strategy consulting firm get engaged in.

Thanks in advance!!!

Hi Tom,

Firstly would like to mention that your efforts are priceless for the kind help you provide.

Im about to complete my MBA and would love to enter a small to medium consulting firm. Im struggling to gather a list of firms that are based in Melbourne. Are you able to point me in the right direction? Cheers

Hassan, thanks for your comment. Off-hand I don’t know the answer.

I tried Googling the answer and to my surprise found my own blog. My list of Australian strategy firms includes 16 which are based in Melbourne. Most of them are big players though.

If you do put together a good list of small/medium firms that would definitely be something worth sharing. Let us know how you get on.

Cheers,
Tom

Hi Tom,

Your website is truly a great help. I’ve obtained so much information on consulting firms that I couldn’t have gotten from elsewhere. I’m a Politics
graduate and I had graduated in 2003. I was wondering if there are any consultancy firms working in the political consulting line. Thank you.

Can I also suggest Chandler Macleod (chandlermacleod.com). They have 3 divisions – Consulting (HR focus), Recruitment Solutions, and Ready Workforce. With over 50 years experience, they have a broad reach across Australia and are quite well engrained in the consulting arena.

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the site. it is very helpfull.
I finished my masters in International business in 2006 but have worked in ANZ & NAB in finance since then. wants to get in to business consultancy , specifically into International business or general business consultancy. how do you think I should approach?

Hi Tom,

Thanks for this list. There are a few national SME management consulting groups in Australia like Nous Group and Darlo.

Darlo, for instance, is based in Melbourne, but provides a range of consulting services in health, education, government, human resources, OD, wellbeing etc. and provides export services/exchange for Australian and Asia-Pacific based organisations.

Again, great blog, love to read this – thanks Tom.

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