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Sam AkbariFractional CXO
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Free tool · Australia

Fractional vs full-time executive cost calculator

Put in your own numbers to compare a full-time C-suite hire with a fractional executive. Figures are in AUD, excluding GST.

Full-time executive

On-costs cover super, payroll tax, leave and benefits. Australian C-suite salaries typically run A$190,000–A$280,000, with on-costs of 25–35% (published market data, sources in the cost guide).

Fractional executive

The default fee is my starting rate for about one day a week, and it scales with the days you choose until you type your own. Australian fractional retainers typically run A$7,000–A$18,000 a month.

Your comparison

Full-time, same period
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Fractional, same period
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Difference
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Full-time cost per day

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Fractional cost per day

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Estimates only, excluding GST, incentives and equity. Assumes about 46 working weeks a year. This is general information, not financial or tax advice.

Difference–

Free board paper

Turn your numbers into a board paper

Get a Word document pre-filled with the comparison above, ready to edit and table at your next board meeting:

  • The decision sought and a budget
  • Options considered: full-time, fractional, interim or do nothing
  • Your cost comparison and cost per day
  • A 90-day plan for the role, and the risks with mitigations

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How it's calculated

The method, and a worked example

Full-time: salary plus on-costs for the period, plus a one-off recruitment fee. Fractional: the monthly fee times the number of months. Cost per day divides each total by the days actually worked: five a week full-time, or your chosen days for fractional, over about 46 working weeks a year.

Year one, ex GSTFull-timeFractional
Salary or feesA$235,000A$144,000 (12 × A$12,000)
On-costs at 30%A$70,500Nil if invoiced through a company
Recruitment at 20%A$47,000Nil
TotalA$352,500A$144,000
Days workedAbout 230About 46 (one day a week)

So the fractional option costs about A$208,500 less in year one, but at a higher rate per day worked. Past about two to three days a week, a full-time or interim hire usually becomes better value.

Reading the result

Cheaper isn't the whole question

A fractional executive costs more per day and far less per year. The real question is whether you need five days a week of a senior operator yet, or one or two days of someone who has done the job before.

If the role needs full-time ownership for a fixed period, look at interim cover instead. If you're not sure what the problem is, start with a two-week diagnostic before committing to either.

Full cost guide Fractional vs interim How I work and pricing

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Thirty minutes on what the role needs to deliver, and whether fractional, interim or a full-time hire fits best.

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