Temporary Staffing: Recruitment Fees and Pricing Explained

Everything you need to know about temporary recruitment fees

A group of people are sitting around a table looking at a computer screen.

How Are Recruitment Fees For Temporary Staff Calculated?

While there are many benefits of hiring temporary employees, understanding the costs is important.


Temporary recruitment fees can vary depending on the industry, role type, how rare the required skills/expertise are and if your recruitment agency partner follows a low, medium or high pricing model.


Most often the cost of hiring a temporary employee is calculated using the following formula:


Candidate pay rate + on costs = total candidate cost + recruitment agency margin = total cost to the client


On costs include superannuation, payroll tax, workers compensation, administration and payroll fees and general insurances. 


Agency margin is the fee a recruitment business charges you to supply you with temporary staff. This fee depends on the industry, market demands and the supplier/fee agreement in place between your business and the recruitment business. 


Kingston Human Capital’s margin for temporary staff ranges from 16-25% depending on the industry.

Get The Most Out Of Your Recruitment Partnership

When weighing up whether it’s worth working with a recruitment agency, consider the specialist expertise, experience and efficiency - but most importantly, consider the capacity and capability of your own team, too. 

A woman is sitting at a table holding a piece of paper.

Finding needles in haystacks is what we do best. We use traditional and algorithmic-search techniques, video recruitment, and behavioural economics to find you the best talent in the market.

Meet the team

 Access key features, receive alerts, and manage your finances from the palm of your hand, ensuring banking fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.

News and Insights

A statutory authority: 116 applications and up to 29 hours of panel time nobody had
By Michelle Bassett • September 28, 2026
A project management role on a major infrastructure program closed with 116 applications. Reading them would have taken the panel up to 29 hours before shortlisting began. Kingston Human Capital took the lot and the authority appointed within five weeks.
Nine roles, three months, a deadline that could not move | Kingston case study
By Michelle Bassett • September 28, 2026
A statutory commission needed nine roles filled before a legislated scheme commenced and did not expect it could be done in time. Kingston Human Capital ran nine campaigns as one program. 534 applications, 37 interviews, nine appointments, 11.6 business days shortlist to report.
Kingston Human Capital Recruitment as a Service
By Michelle Bassett • September 28, 2026
A senior finance leadership role, advertised, extended, and still no competitive field. Kingston Human Capital took the campaign over mid-flight and the department appointed without re-advertising. 44 applications, 4 interviews, 2 suitable candidates, 1 appointment.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About Department of Environment and Science (DES) Queensland boasts one of the most diverse and beautiful environments in the world. Without even counting the Great Barrier Reef and its cultural and economic significance to Queensland and Australia, over 64 million visitors flock to Queensland's national parks, forests, and arts and cultural facilities every year. The Department of Environment and Science (DES) exists to protect Queensland's environment so that future generations can enjoy its beauty. Working closely with local government, stakeholders, and communities, the DES works to achieve a better environmental, economic and social future for Queensland. To continue its vital work of protecting Queensland's beautiful, delicate environment, the team at the DES reached out to Kingston as one of their executive recruitment partners. The DES wanted to make sure they partnered with an executive search firm that used both traditional and contemporary recruitment techniques. In addition to traditional executive search, they saw the power of video and understood how contemporary social media talent attraction campaigns would benefit their recruitment project.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About Screen Queensland Screen Queensland is a government-owned company working to make Queensland a global leader for the film and TV industry. As a result of Screen Queensland, the Sunshine State was host to some of the biggest movies of the past decade, including Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Kong: Skull Island, and Thor: Ragnarok. In addition to attracting interstate and international productions to Queensland, the company also fosters homegrown talent in Queensland, investing in the diverse, entertaining, and ground-breaking talent in Queensland; creating jobs, stimulating the economy and upskilling our local industry. Screen Queensland has an ambitious plan for the screen and film industry in Queensland, and Kingston Human Capital helped them find an equally ambitious CEO to steer them towards achieving their vision.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About Coexistence Queensland Coexistence Queensland is a unique statutory body dedicated to fostering sustainable relationships between regional communities, landholders, and the energy and resources sector. The organisation plays a critical role in advancing balanced economic, environmental and social outcomes by facilitating dialogue, sharing knowledge and promoting shared value across Queensland. The appointment of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) marked a strategic investment in strengthening organisational leadership. As a newly established executive position, the COO was integral to aligning operations with Coexistence Queensland’s expanded remit and ensuring the organisation’s structure, culture and stakeholder engagement efforts were equipped for a rapidly evolving policy environment. Kingston Human Capital was engaged as a dedicated executive search partner, supporting the Board and CEO to design and deliver a rigorous national recruitment campaign.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About The Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) Established in 2018, Container Exchange (COEX) is a not-for-profit organisation running Queensland’s Containers for Change Scheme, ensuring that over 3 billion drink bottles don't end up as landfill. The Containers for Change Scheme allows people to return eligible drink containers for a 10 cent refund at over 270 sites across Queensland, reducing container litter and encouraging enterprises to raise funds from donations of container refunds. In addition to the Containers for Change Scheme, COEX promotes recycling and helps the local community from donations to charities, community and sports groups, as well as not-for-profit organisations registered with the scheme.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About The Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) is a unique government agency that combines property development with specialist planning functions. EDQ has over 20 locations throughout Queensland providing land solutions to help retain existing industry as well as to attract new business investment and development in Queensland. 
By Gerard Kerr • September 25, 2026
About The Department of Education The Department of Education required an Executive Director and Chief Procurement Officer to provide strategic leadership across procurement and facilities functions within one of Queensland's largest and most complex public sector environments. The role sat within the Finance, Procurement and Facilities Branch and required an executive capable of leading large-scale procurement strategy, influencing stakeholders across a decentralised operating environment and delivering commercial outcomes aligned with government priorities.  Kingston Human Capital was engaged to deliver an end-to-end executive recruitment and selection campaign, including executive search, market mapping, assessment, panel facilitation, reference checking and selection reporting
By Gerard Kerr • September 25, 2026
About The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) sought to appoint an Executive Director responsible for leading significant environmental policy initiatives and investment programs. The role was central to advancing environmental stewardship, innovation and long-term sustainability outcomes across Queensland. This executive leadership position carried responsibility for strategic environmental programs, stakeholder engagement and the administration of major government investment initiatives.
Show More