Compensation levels across Australia’s family offices are climbing, with 56% of professionals reporting salary increases over the past year, according to KPMG’s latest Australian Family Office Compensation Benchmark Report 2025, produced in partnership with The Table Club.
The study finds that family offices are maturing and becoming more sophisticated, with greater emphasis on benchmarking pay, professional governance, and talent acquisition.
Key findings from the 2025 report
- Rising CEO pay: Nearly 30% of family office CEOs earn between $500,000 and $625,000 annually.
- Bonuses remain common: 79% of CEOs received performance-based bonuses worth 10–30% of their base salary.
- Demographics: 79% of family office CEOs are male, and 58% are over 50.
- Family participation: 43% of respondents are family members, a notable increase from the 2023 study.
- Hybrid roles: 85% of professionals say their roles combine responsibilities not found in traditional corporate settings.
A competitive market for talent
With over half of all Australian family offices founded within the past decade, competition for skilled professionals is intensifying. CFOs typically earn between $264,000 and $330,000, while CIOs earn between $330,000 and $396,000. Despite this, only a quarter of offices offer Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs), suggesting room for improvement in aligning compensation with retention strategies.
“The competition for talent is intensifying, and family offices must offer compelling reward packages to attract the unique skill sets they require,” noted James Burkitt, CEO of The Table Club.
Shifting workplace expectations
More than 70% of family offices now offer hybrid working options, while cultural fit and alignment with values—such as impact investing—are becoming decisive in attracting and keeping talent.
Governance and succession
While 63% of family offices report having formal governance structures, only 45% have a documented succession plan, signalling an area that still requires attention as the sector matures.
Outlook
The report highlights a clear trend toward professionalisation. Family offices are adopting corporate-style structures to enhance decision-making, governance, and long-term strategic planning.
“As the sector continues to grow, family offices must prioritise competitive compensation, flexible working conditions, and alignment with employee values to attract and retain top talent,” said Robyn Langsford, KPMG’s Global Head of Family Business.
The KPMG Australian Family Office Compensation Benchmark Report 2025 draws on data collected between April and July 2025 and offers a snapshot of a sector rapidly evolving in scale and sophistication.
