ESG and Sustainable Investment Salary Guide 2025
Kaizen Recruitment is Australia’s premier Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Sustainability and Sustainable Investment recruitment firm with a focus on financial services with the capability to recruit across a broad range of industries. Our network and capability to recruit extend across Australia, with a strong focus on the Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane markets.
Market Overview
In recent years, the ESG job market has undergone a notable transformation. What began as a period of accelerated growth — particularly within financial services — has since transitioned into a more stabilised phase. While the pace of new role creation has slowed, recruitment activity remains steady, with organisations continuing to backfill key positions. This suggests that demand for ESG talent, though more measured, remains a priority.
Nevertheless, the ESG hiring landscape for 2025 and beyond will continue to be shaped by both regulatory and economic drivers. Given the recent federal election (resulting in a continuation of the current government), this may bring renewed certainty to businesses and allow for longer-term planning to continue in order to develop their ESG capability.
As ESG remains fundamentally tied to sound risk management, long-term hiring demand is expected to remain resilient as climate change and sustainability continue to present material risks to business operations.
Employer In-Demand Skillsets
The most sought-after ESG skills include ESG integration, reporting, due diligence, and strategy development. The introduction of the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) has driven a notable increase in demand for sustainability reporting roles across sectors. In response, many organisations are engaging external consultants to support the initial implementation of reporting frameworks, ensuring compliance with emerging regulatory requirements and reporting timelines.
Additionally, capabilities in investment stewardship, data analysis, and carbon accounting are emerging as valuable skillsets. For roles within superannuation and funds management, deep investment knowledge, especially in private markets, remains critical as interest grows in sustainable alternatives beyond public markets.
Salary Trends
Over the past five years, ESG salaries have risen significantly in response to high demand. However, this growth has plateaued over the last year. We believe this is largely due to an increase in the supply of candidates with ESG expertise, coupled with a pullback in demand from employers, leading to a more balanced market.
Superannuation funds continue to offer strong salary packages, as they have a vested interest in aligning their investments with members expectations for sustainability, and in mitigating long-term risks like climate change.
While the ESG jobs market has leveled off compared to recent years, long-term demand remains underpinned by regulatory drivers and recognition of the risks ESG issues pose if left unaddressed.
Kaizen Recruitment ESG Salary Guide 2025
Please note: Years of ESG experience can vary as many candidates have entered the industry (particularly at the senior end) recently with previous relevant industry experience and transferable skills outside of ESG.
Download the Full Salary Guide
Our team works diligently, interviewing 250+ new candidates a year and maintaining relationships with our existing networks. Through this deep market specialisation, we can provide specific and reliable commentary on market insights and trends across the financial services ESG, sustainability and sustainable investment verticals.
To gain an insight into the current remuneration levels of ESG and Sustainability professionals, including average salaries, bonus potential, market trends and typical roles across industries, enter your details to download the full salary guide below. This will ensure you have access to our ongoing salary guide updates.
Get in Touch
Simon Gvalda heads up the ESG, sustainability and sustainable investment recruitment team at Kaizen. He has a passion for helping candidates reach their career goals and find the best talent for his clients while always being genuine, approachable, and supportive. Developing long-term partnerships is key to Simon’s success – considering not only candidate experience but cultural fit by deeply understanding the teams and organisations he works with.
If you’d like to discuss candidate career drivers and the current stats of ESG, sustainability and sustainable investment within the financial services recruitment landscape, please reach out to Simon at +61 412 122 593.
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