PayMetric Labs
Cybersecurity2026 dataSalary by location

GRC Manager Salary in Australia 2026: Benchmarks, Range & Skills

+9.0% YoYMarket research signal
GRC Leadership

The median GRC Manager salary in Australia is A$185K in 2026, with a typical range from A$150K to A$230K. Pay has moved +9.0% year-on-year. Australia currently leads city pay at A$185K. This is base salary for permanent employees. Contracting instead? See day rates for this role below.

What does A GRC Manager do?

A GRC Manager is responsible for leading the information security governance, risk, and compliance function, owning the risk framework, compliance programme, and policy estate, and reporting to the CISO on the organisation's risk posture.

Day-to-day responsibilities

  • Managing the enterprise information security risk register and risk treatment plans
  • Overseeing ISO 27001
  • GDPR
  • DORA
  • NIS2
  • SOC 2 compliance programmes
Very High demand+22% ISO 27001 Lead Implementer+24% DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act)+19% GDPR and Data Protection

National Median Salary

A$185K

Australia benchmark • 2026

Salary Range (P25 – P75)

A$185K
A$150KA$230K

Data quality & confidence

Confidence Score

60%

YoY Momentum

+9.0%

Median salary benchmark

A$185K

annual - 2026

Typical salary range

A$150K-A$230K

25th-75th percentile

Year-on-year pay movement

+9.0%

trend data building

Forward pay outlook

A$202K

Forecasted market posture

Permanent Salary Benchmark for GRC Manager

Permanent salary benchmarks for GRC Manager in Australia, from the low end to the top of the range, based on published market compensation data.

A$185K
A$150KA$230K

Low

A$150K

P25

A$185K

Median

A$185K

P75

A$185K

High

A$230K

GRC Manager Take-Home Pay in Australia (2026-27)

After Income Tax & Medicare Levy · single, standard PAYE

Entry

Take-home/year

$131,780

Effective rate

28.8%

Median

Take-home/year

$131,780

Effective rate

28.8%

Senior

Take-home/year

$131,780

Effective rate

28.8%

See the full band-by-band breakdown for GRC Manager

Adjust for your actual salary, see each Income Tax and Medicare Levy band, and get monthly and weekly figures.

Is a GRC Manager hybrid salary worth the commute?

3-day/week office schedule · typical Australian commute assumptions

Break-even remote salary

$155,600

minimum to match A$185K hybrid

Annual commute impact

$17,965

costs + time value lost

Hours commuting/year

138 hrs

at 60 min/day, 3 days/wk

See the full break-even analysis for GRC Manager

Adjust commute costs, compare any two salaries, and find the exact remote salary you need.

Remote vs hybrid analysis

Contract day rates available for this role

Median A$1150/week, see full breakdown, city rates, and take-home calculator

View GRC Manager day rates →

Contract break-even

What day rate beats a $185K GRC Manager salary after tax?

Break-even day rate

$841/day

to match $185K permanent net

Permanent net take-home

$131,780/yr

$185K gross, 2026-27 rates

Sole trader, 220 days, no super. Net figures are estimates; use the calculators for exact results.

Contractor day rate

What day rate matches a $185,000 GRC Manager salary?

Indicative day rate (excl. super)

$1,095/day

Sole trader, 30% loading, 220 billable days

Plus-super equivalent

$1,225/day

Includes 12% Super Guarantee on the package

Converts permanent base salary to a contractor day rate with unpaid-leave loading, super, and optional GST. Adjust structure and billable days in the full calculator.

Open day rate calculator

Market Demand & Outlook

Hiring demand, top locations, and career outlook for GRC Manager

Moderate Confidence

Demand level

Low

Based on hiring signals relative to similar roles in this market.

Top hiring locations

SydneyBrisbaneMelbourneCanberra

Career outlook

Strong upward salary momentum

GRC Manager salaries are showing strong movement, with latest benchmark growth at +9.0%.

Skills That Command a Premium for GRC Managers

Certain technical skills push GRC Manager salaries in Australia significantly above the A$185K median. These are the most impactful skills to develop or highlight when negotiating.

ISO 27001 Lead Implementer

+22%

salary premium vs median

DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act)

+24%

salary premium vs median

GDPR and Data Protection

+19%

salary premium vs median

CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)

+21%

salary premium vs median

Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM)

+18%

salary premium vs median

ServiceNow GRC

+17%

salary premium vs median

How Much Does a GRC Manager Earn by City in Australia?

GRC Manager salary varies meaningfully by location. Sydney commands a -11% premium over the national benchmark (A$165K), while Tasmania sits -24% at A$140K. Location is worth factoring into any offer negotiation.

Why GRC Manager Salaries Are at This Level

GRC Managers in Australia earn a median salary of A$185K in 2026, with a typical range from A$150K at the 25th percentile to A$230K at the 75th percentile. This benchmark reflects published market compensation data for annual annual pay across the Australia market.

Sydney currently leads city pay at A$165K, which is 11% below the national benchmark. City coverage for this role includes Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Tasmania, helping you compare local pay differences without needing separate city-role pages.

At experience level, and upper bands continue to trend above the median. Demand is currently moderate for this role based on recent coverage and salary momentum signals.

Frequently Asked Questions About GRC Manager Salary in Australia

1

What is the median GRC Manager salary in Australia?

The median GRC Manager salary in Australia is A$185K in 2026. The typical range runs from A$150K at the 25th percentile to A$230K at the 75th percentile, based on published market compensation data.

2

Is GRC Manager salary increasing in Australia?

GRC Manager salaries have moved +9.0% year-on-year in Australia.

3

How does GRC Manager salary vary by city in Australia?

GRC Manager salaries vary across Australia. Sydney leads at A$165K (-11% vs the national benchmark), while Tasmania sits at A$140K. Use the city breakdown above to compare all locations.

4

What does a GRC Manager take home after tax in Australia?

A GRC Manager earning the median A$185K gross in Australia will take home a net amount after income tax and other deductions. Use the PayMetric Labs take-home calculator on this page for an exact breakdown by tax band.

5

Is a A$185K GRC Manager hybrid role worth the commute in Australia?

On a 3-day hybrid schedule with a typical Australian commute ($12/day travel, 60-minute round trip, daily meal premium, annual wardrobe costs), your true net income at A$185K is approximately $113,815 per year, compared to $131,780 net without any commute. The commute costs $17,965 per year in direct expenses and lost time. A fully remote role paying $155,600 would leave you equally well off.

6

What remote salary is equivalent to a A$185K hybrid GRC Manager salary in Australia?

Assuming a 3-day hybrid schedule with typical commute costs, you would need a remote salary of at least $155,600 to match the true net value of a A$185K hybrid GRC Manager role in Australia. For a 5-day fully in-office role, the break-even remote salary rises to $136,600, as the higher office frequency increases travel, meal, and time costs significantly.

7

How many hours per year does a GRC Manager in Australia spend commuting?

On a 3-day hybrid schedule with a 60-minute round trip, a GRC Manager in Australia spends approximately 138 hours commuting per year, equivalent to 17 full working days. Valued at the implied hourly rate for a A$185K salary ($106/hr), that time is worth $14,605 annually.

8

How does the 2026 Return to Office trend affect GRC Manager compensation in Australia?

As more employers in Australia reintroduce hybrid or full in-office mandates in 2026, the true value of a GRC Manager salary depends increasingly on the number of required office days. At A$185K, each additional day in the office costs roughly $5,788 per year in direct and time costs (moving from 3 to 5 days). Candidates evaluating offers should compare true net income rather than gross salary alone.

9

What contractor day rate matches a GRC Manager salary of A$185K in Australia?

As a sole trader with a 30% contractor loading over 220 billable days, a A$185K permanent GRC Manager base salary converts to roughly A$1095/day (excl. super). Agency/PAYG engagements usually need a lower loading because the agency covers payroll tax, workers' compensation, and Super Guarantee administration. Use the Australia day rate calculator at /au/calculators/au-day-rate-calculator to adjust structure, billable days, super, and GST.

10

How do you convert a GRC Manager permanent salary to a day rate in Australia?

Multiply the permanent base salary by a contractor loading factor (typically 15%–20% for PAYG/agency or 25%–35% for sole traders), then divide by realistic billable days for the year (commonly 220). That loading covers unpaid leave, public holidays, and the self-funded costs permanent employees do not carry. Always confirm whether a quoted rate is plus-super or inclusive of the Super Guarantee before comparing offers.

11

How reliable is this GRC Manager salary benchmark?

This benchmark is derived from verified market compensation data and is rated Moderate Confidence. High Confidence means the benchmark is corroborated across independent sources and is citation-ready. Moderate Confidence is directional context while coverage is still building. Limited Market Data means early signals only.

12

Is GRC Manager pay increasing?

An indicative year-over-year signal of +9.0% is available from the latest market research for this role. This figure is directional market research rather than a matched prior-year observation in our own dataset.

13

What should employers and candidates take from this benchmark?

Research-reported year-over-year movement is an indicative 9% (not a matched prior-year observation).

Similar Role Salaries in Australia

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