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Fractional HR · Brisbane and Australia-wide

Fractional HR Services for Growing Businesses

Many growing businesses reach a point where human resources issues consume more of the owner's time than the business itself. Recruitment decisions, performance conversations, compliance obligations, and employee disputes all demand expertise, yet hiring a full-time HR manager in Brisbane costs around $150,000 per year (Hays Salary Guide 2025), before superannuation and on-costs.

Fractional HR gives you senior-level human resources support embedded in your business at a fraction of that cost, without the commitment of a permanent hire. Daniel Holbrook works directly with business owners and business leaders as their dedicated HR function.

Book a Free 30-min Call
No obligation · 30-min scoping call · Direct conversation with Daniel
Or call Daniel directly: 1300 23 44 23
★★★★★ 5.0 · Verified Google reviews
You deal with Daniel directly. Every engagement, every call.
Credentials & guarantees
MBA
Cert IV Investigations
Cert IV WHS
AHRI Member
Professionally Insured
Fixed-Fee Pricing
No Lock-In Contracts
★★★★★ 5.0 on Google
What you get

What Fractional HR Means for Your Business

Fractional HR means engaging a senior HR professional to operate as part of your leadership team on a part-time, ongoing basis. This is not a one-off project engagement, and it is not a reactive phone call when something goes wrong. Fractional human resources is a structured, senior HR presence embedded in your business, providing continuity, context, and proactive compliance management.

The distinction matters. Task-based HR support is valuable for isolated issues, but it lacks the continuity that prevents problems from recurring. A fractional HR model means Daniel understands your business, your people, your risks, and your goals. That context compounds over time, making every interaction more efficient and every recommendation more targeted. For employers navigating their obligations under the Fair Work Act and WHS legislation, this ongoing relationship provides confidence that HR practices are maintained as the business evolves.

How fractional HR works

How Fractional HR Works with Brookvale HR Solutions

Daniel delivers fractional HR through three retainer tiers, each designed to match a different level of HR need. In practice, the engagement covers the full scope of an internal HR function (compliance reviews, HR policy development, performance management support, payroll queries, employment contracts, leadership coaching, and recruitment coordination). Every plan includes direct phone, email, and video access to Daniel with no lock-in contracts.

AD-HOC HR ADVICE

Pay-as-you-go sense-check

$250/ hour
Billed in 15-minute increments. No minimum commitment.
  • One-off sense-checks on difficult decisions
  • Preparation for a difficult conversation
  • Second opinion on a contract clause
  • Decision stress-testing before you act
Book a 15-minute increment
HR MANAGER

Embedded senior HR resource

$4,000/ month
For businesses that require an embedded, senior human resources resource on an ongoing basis.
  • 20 hours of dedicated HR consulting
  • One onsite visit per month
  • Comprehensive HR Compliance Audit at commencement
  • Additional hours at $250/hr
Discuss an HR Manager engagement
Fractional vs outsourced

How Fractional HR Differs from Outsourced HR

Businesses exploring external HR support often encounter both "fractional HR" and "outsourced HR" as options. While both involve engaging an external HR professional rather than hiring internally, the models serve different needs.

Who it fits

Who Benefits from Fractional HR Support

Fractional HR is designed for businesses with 10 to 200 or more employees. These are organisations that have grown past the point where the owner can manage HR personally, but not yet to the size where a dedicated full-time HR hire is justified. The HR workload is real, but it does not fill 40 hours every week. What these businesses need is flexible HR support that scales with demand.

Fractional HR support solves this by giving you access to senior HR expertise on a retainer basis. During quieter periods, your fractional HR consultant handles compliance reviews, HR policy updates, and HR advisory work. During busier periods, the same consultant manages onboarding, performance processes, workplace investigations, or restructures. You pay for the level of support your business actually needs, and you can tailor the engagement as your headcount changes.

Common signs that a business needs fractional HR support include:

  • Rising staff turnover without a clear cause
  • HR policies that have not been reviewed in years
  • Managers handling performance issues without training
  • Compliance obligations that are unclear or unmet
  • Difficulty retaining good people

If you are managing HR challenges internally and finding it unsustainable, a fractional HR engagement can implement the systems, processes, and oversight your business needs to operate confidently. Whether your business operates from a single office or has team members spread across multiple locations Australia-wide, fractional HR adapts to how your team works.

For employers already managing some HR in-house, the ongoing HR support model explains how Daniel integrates with existing operations.

What's included

What Your Fractional HR Package Delivers

Not sure which retainer plan fits? The HR Health Check is a free self-assessment that flags where your HR risk is highest. Every HR Manager retainer begins with an HR Compliance Audit and the audit fee is fully credited toward your first month of retainer work.

Credentials

An Embedded HR Function. The Same Senior Practitioner Every Time.

Fractional HR works because the practitioner stays consistent. Two credentials underwrite the work:

Lead credential 01

MBA + Graduate Certificate in Management

Commercial context shapes every retainer engagement. Compliance reviews, performance frameworks, and people-matter advisory are calibrated to the size, sector, and growth stage of the business. The MBA frames every recommendation in your operating reality.

Lead credential 02

Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety

Psychosocial safety literacy across every retainer. Modern HR practice intersects with WHS obligations, the Cert IV WHS underwrites the compliance calendar that anticipates legislative change before it lands on your desk.

Also Qualified
MBA + Graduate Certificate in Management
Commercial context for findings and recommendations.
Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety
Psychosocial hazard literacy across all matters.
Professional indemnity insurance
Engagement-level coverage on every investigation.
Member, Australian Human Resources Institute
Bound by AHRI Code of Ethics and Conduct.
Every fractional HR engagement is delivered personally by Daniel. No account manager. No junior. No handoffs.
Brookvale HR Solutions

Read more about Daniel's qualifications and experience on the About page.

Client review

What clients say about working with Daniel

★★★★★ 5.0
Verified Google review
“I recently engaged Brookvale HR Solutions, led by Dan and his team, and was thoroughly impressed. Dan combines deep HR expertise with a practical, people-first approach. He provides clear advice and handles complex issues with professionalism and empathy. He's a HR / Safety weapon. 10/10 recommend!”
M
Marnie Euler
Google Review
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions on the fractional model, retainer tiers, and getting started.

Still have a question?
Call Daniel on 1300 23 44 23
What is fractional HR and how does it differ from hiring a contractor?

Fractional HR is a structured, ongoing engagement where a senior HR professional operates as part of the business's leadership team on a part-time basis. Unlike a contractor engaged for a specific project, a fractional HR consultant maintains continuity across all HR matters: compliance, employee relations, policy development, and strategic workforce planning. The fractional model means the consultant understands the business's culture, history, and people over time, rather than starting from scratch with each engagement.

How is fractional HR different from outsourced HR?

Outsourced HR typically involves delegating specific HR tasks (payroll processing, recruitment, or compliance administration) to an external provider. Fractional HR is broader and more embedded. Daniel operates as the business's HR function, attending leadership meetings, advising on workforce strategy, and handling employee matters as they arise. The relationship is proactive rather than reactive, which means issues are identified and addressed before they escalate to formal complaints or claims.

What size business benefits from fractional HR?

Fractional HR is designed for businesses with 10 to 200 or more employees. At the lower end, these are businesses that have outgrown the owner managing HR informally but cannot justify a $150,000 full-time HR hire. At the upper end, these are organisations that need senior HR leadership without adding to permanent headcount. The three retainer tiers (Ad-Hoc, HR Partner, and HR Manager) allow businesses to match the level of support to their current stage of growth.

How does the cost of fractional HR compare to a full-time HR hire?

A full-time HR Manager in Brisbane earns an average salary of $150,000 per year (Hays Salary Guide 2025), before superannuation, leave entitlements, and on-costs. The HR Partner retainer with Brookvale HR Solutions is $1,000 per month, and the HR Manager retainer is $4,000 per month. Even at the highest tier, fractional HR costs less than a third of a full-time equivalent, with no recruitment fees, no leave liability, and no lock-in contracts.

How do I get started with fractional HR?

The first step is a free 30-minute strategy call with Daniel. During this call, Daniel assesses the business's current HR position, identifies immediate risks or gaps, and recommends the appropriate retainer tier. There is no obligation and no lock-in. If the business proceeds, Daniel typically begins within 48 hours of agreement, starting with a review of existing documentation and an initial compliance assessment.

Next step

Start with a Conversation

Fractional HR begins with understanding where your business is today and where the gaps are. Book a free 30-minute call with Daniel to discuss your HR needs and explore which retainer plan fits. Brookvale HR Solutions is based in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, and works with clients across Australia.