How to Become a Human Resources Manager

Your people skills deserve a career where they truly make an impact. Human Resources (HR) management puts you at the centre of workplace culture to help organisations thrive through their most valuable asset: people.

The path to becoming a HR Manager starts with getting qualified and builds through hands-on experience. This guide goes into the top traits of HR managers, expected salary ranges and how to get started in this field.  

What does a HR Manager do?

HR Managers play an essential role in the running of a business. They work with executives to serve as an intermediate between leadership teams and employees. Day-to-day responsibilites include things like advising employees on their rights, making sure employees are paid properly and assisting with new hires. This, of course, can change depending on their specialisation and the type of organisation they work for.

Although Human Resources jobs can be demanding, playing such a vital role in an organisation can also be very rewarding. As a Human Resources Manager, you’ll get to empower workplace culture and use your people skills for good.

Top Traits of a Human Resources Manager

What does it take to succeed as a Human Resources Manager? Here are some soft and hard skills most people working in HR have:

Performance management

As a HR Manager, you’ll monitor employee performance. and make sure output meets expectations. You’ll use different KPIs based on what their job is; sales and legal teams have different metrics for success. If an employee fails to meet expectations, you’ll work with the team to create a performance management plan. 

Communication skills

Human Resources Managers often get involved with tricky situations in the workplace, such as mediating between team members to resolve conflict or disciplining employees for inappropriate behaviour. Managing such sensitive issues in a professional way calls for good communication skills. Both your written and oral communications must be easy to understand for workers across every level of the organisation. 

Multitasking abilities

On a typical day, Human Resources Managers deal with a wide range of issues. From fielding enquiries about maternity leave, to interviewing prospective employees, a HR Manager’s to-do list can vary from minute to minute. To keep up with this ever-changing workload, you’ll need to be good at juggling responsibilities while identifying high-priority tasks.

How to become a Human Resources Manager in Australia

Breaking into HR management requires a clear pathway of education and experience. Here's how you can build the foundation for a successful HR career:

1. Study HR 

To become a Human Resources Manager, you need to obtain a relevant qualification. You may still qualify for entry-level roles without formal training, but moving up the ranks into a managerial position will be much easier with a certification under your belt.

Kick off your HR journey with a nationally recognised course like the BSB50320 Diploma of Human Resource Management. This practical qualification equips you with essential skills in recruitment, workplace policies and performance management that employers value. 

At Foundation Education, you'll study online through my eCampus, completing one unit every four weeks to finish in about 12 months. This flexibility lets you balance learning with other commitments like work and family.

1. Consider university

Your diploma can provide credits toward university study in HR or Business. You don’t need to go to uni for a lot of HR roles, but you might benefit from the extra knowledge a degree gives you. The great thing about starting with a diploma is that you'll be earning while you decide if further study makes sense for your goals.

1. Get an entry-level job

With your qualification in hand, you're ready to land that first HR role. Look for entry-level jobs in HR management where you can apply what you've learned. You’ll get hands-on experience with real workplace challenges from employee relations to staying on top of compliance standards.

Human Resources Manager salary

Human Resources jobs offer many benefits, including competitive salaries and career advancement opportunities. According to Australian government data, the Human Resources sector is expected to experience strong growth over the next five years. 

Although wages can vary depending on location, experience and qualifications, the average salary for a HR Manager in Australia is $98,935 (according to PayScale).

This higher-than-average wage is justified by the high level of responsibility Human Resources Managers have. Being accountable for many aspects of a person’s livelihood is a big deal, which is why HR Managers can expect to earn decent money as they work their way up their career ladder.

Study HR Management at Foundation Education

If you think you’ve got the right attitude and work ethic to succeed in HR, the Diploma of Human Resources Management can help you take the next step in your career. Designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to lead a Human Resources department, you’ll graduate with an advanced understanding of HR processes. This nationally recognised qualification can teach you how to supervise recruitment procedures, develop compliancy standards and implement positive cultural changes.

Take a look at our Human Resources hub, enquire online or call our team on 1300 616 197 for advice on enrolment.