What Does an Executive Assistant Do? Career Pathways and Jobs in Australia

Executive Assistant Careers in Australia: Skills, Salaries & Industry Insights

Provide trusted executive support, streamline operations, and help leaders perform at their best.

Executive Assistants (EAs) play an essential role in ensuring business leaders can focus on strategy, decision-making, and performance. They handle complex scheduling, communications, and coordination responsibilities, often acting as a central point of contact between executives, teams, and stakeholders.

At Fuse Recruitment, we connect Executive Assistants with employers across Australia who value professionalism, discretion, and organisational excellence. Whether you’re supporting a CEO, director, or senior management team, we’ll help you find an opportunity that suits your skills and ambition.

What Does an Executive Assistant Do?

Executive Assistants provide high-level administrative support to executives or senior leaders, managing priorities, correspondence, and logistics with precision and confidentiality.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Managing executive calendars, meetings, and travel arrangements
• Preparing reports, presentations, and board documentation
• Coordinating internal and external communications
• Handling confidential correspondence and documentation
• Liaising with stakeholders, clients, and board members
• Supporting project delivery and follow-up actions
• Assisting with event coordination and executive briefings
• Overseeing office or team administration where required

Many Executive Assistants serve as trusted partners, providing insight, organisation, and accountability to senior leaders.

Common Work Environments

Executive Assistants are employed across a diverse range of industries and organisational structures, including:

• Corporate and professional services – supporting executives in strategic and operational functions
• Manufacturing and logistics – coordinating senior-level communication and operations support
• Financial services and insurance – managing governance, compliance, and client engagement activities
• Public sector and education – providing support to senior officials, boards, and leadership teams
• Technology and renewables – assisting fast-growing organisations with leadership coordination and projects

Some EAs support a single executive, while others manage multiple senior leaders or business functions.

Executive Assistant Salaries in Australia

Based on current Australian salary insights, Executive Assistants typically earn between $85,000 and $130,000 per year, depending on experience, industry, and level of responsibility.

Executives in corporate or government environments may offer additional benefits such as flexible hours, bonus structures, or professional development allowances.

Employment Outlook and Industry Demand

The demand for Executive Assistants remains strong across Australia, particularly as hybrid and remote work models continue to evolve.

Key demand trends include:

• Increased executive workload – leaders rely on EAs to manage growing administrative and communication demands
• Hybrid workforce coordination – EAs play a crucial role in managing virtual meetings and digital collaboration
• Project and operations integration – many EAs now support strategic projects and cross-functional initiatives
• Governance and compliance – organisations require support with reporting, documentation, and stakeholder communication
• Professionalisation of the role – Executive Assistants are increasingly recognised as strategic contributors, not just administrative support

The modern EA role has evolved into one of trusted partnership and operational influence.

Skills and Qualifications

Executive Assistants require a mix of communication, organisational, and strategic support skills.

Common qualifications include:

• Certificate IV or Diploma in Business Administration or Executive Support
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, or Communications (advantageous)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and scheduling software
• Experience using CRM and project management systems (e.g. Salesforce, Asana, Trello)

Key skills and attributes:

• Organisation and prioritisation
• Confidentiality and discretion
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving and initiative
• Stakeholder management
• Adaptability in fast-paced environments

Career Progression and Pathways

Executive Assistants enjoy excellent career progression opportunities within business operations, leadership support, or corporate services.

Typical progression includes:

• Office Administrator / Senior Administrator – supporting multiple departments or functions
• Executive Assistant – providing direct support to senior leaders
• Senior EA / Board Secretary – managing executive teams and governance functions
• Operations Manager / Chief of Staff – leading business coordination, strategy, and executive support teams

Many EAs transition into operations, HR, or project management roles, using their organisational experience as a leadership foundation.

Industry Insights: The Future of Executive Support

Strategic Business Partnership
Modern Executive Assistants are becoming integral to leadership teams, often influencing workflows, communication, and culture.

Technology and Digital Collaboration
EAs are expected to manage virtual meetings, digital workflows, and collaboration tools — streamlining communication across remote teams.

Leadership Enablement
As organisations become leaner, EAs provide essential continuity, helping leaders prioritise, delegate, and deliver effectively.

Key Industries and Clients We Work With

Fuse Recruitment partners with employers across Australia to recruit senior administration and executive support professionals across sectors such as:

• Manufacturing and logistics
• Financial services and insurance
• Energy and infrastructure
• Corporate and government services
• Professional and technical industries

We connect Executive Assistants who combine professionalism with proactive leadership support.

Supporting Executive Operations in a Growing Organisation

Fuse Recruitment partnered with a technology and infrastructure business undergoing rapid expansion.

The client required an experienced Executive Assistant to support its leadership team through a major transformation project. Fuse sourced and placed a candidate with extensive coordination and stakeholder management experience, providing essential continuity during the transition.

The appointment resulted in improved communication flow, enhanced project delivery oversight, and stronger executive productivity.

Why Work With Fuse Recruitment

At Fuse Recruitment, we understand that great Executive Assistants are the cornerstone of business efficiency. Our Admin & Business Support recruitment specialists connect professionals with employers who value reliability, confidentiality, and initiative.

We provide:

• Access to executive and senior administration roles across Australia
• Opportunities across corporate, government, and technical sectors
• Insights into salary benchmarks, leadership pathways, and skill development
• Recruitment support for permanent, contract, and board-level appointments
• We help connect Executive Assistants with the organisations where they can make the greatest impact.

Explore Related Business Support Roles

Explore more opportunities in our Admin & Business Support discipline:

• Office Administrator Jobs
• Contracts Administrator Jobs
• Project Administrator Jobs
• Executive Support Officer Jobs
• Office Manager Jobs

FAQs About Executive Assistant Careers in Australia

Are Executive Assistants in demand?
Yes, EAs are in consistent demand across all industries, particularly in growing corporate and hybrid workplaces.

What qualifications do I need?
Formal qualifications in business or administration are beneficial, combined with strong communication and organisational skills.

What’s the average salary for an Executive Assistant?
Most EAs earn between $85,000 and $130,000 per year, depending on experience and industry.

Is this a remote or office-based role?
Many roles now offer hybrid options, with flexibility for both on-site and remote executive support.

What’s the next career step for an EA?
Many progresses into Senior EA, Office Manager, or Chief of Staff roles.

Executive Assistant Jobs

Ready to elevate your executive support career? Explore Executive Assistant Jobs with Fuse Recruitment to find opportunities across Australia’s leading organisations.

We’ll help you connect with employers who value professionalism, efficiency, and leadership support.

Looking to Hire Executive Assistants?

If your organisation is seeking an experienced Executive Assistant, Fuse Recruitment can help.

Our Admin & Business Support recruitment team connects employers with professionals who ensure leaders and teams operate at their best.

Contact Fuse Recruitment to discuss your hiring needs. We’ll provide tailored recruitment solutions that strengthen your executive support capability.