WOW Recruitment expands into Brisbane

WOW Recruitment is heading north! After eight years of building high-performing teams in Sydney and Melbourne, we’re thrilled to bring our boutique, human-centred approach to Brisbane – a city filled with growth, opportunity, and ambition.

Founded in 2017, at a time when the recruitment industry was losing its personal touch, WOW Recruitment set out to reimagine what recruitment could be – personal, purposeful, and deeply aligned with the strategic direction of the organisations we partner with. Today, our mission is simple: to connect exceptional people with brands that are shaping the future. With this in mind, we’re excited to be expanding into Brisbane to meet the talent demand.  

Brisbane’s momentum is building:

• Since 2020, the Brisbane economy has grown by AUD $28 billion (a 16% increase), reaching AUD $201 billion in total.
• Over the same period, employment in Brisbane has increased by 274,000 jobs, up about 22%.
• Key sectors such as healthcare, logistics, construction, and tourism are experiencing strong demand.
• Looking ahead, there is a projected shortage of 50,000+ workers for major infrastructure and building projects in Queensland, especially with the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon.

As specialists in Marketing, Digital, Events, Business Support, Customer Experience, Sales, and Executive Search, WOW has built a talent ecosystem that goes beyond job boards, tapping into passive, high-calibre candidates who align not just with role requirements, but with the culture and ambition of organisations. In a world where adaptability is as valuable as skills, we partner with you to future-proof teams. We take the time to understand a business’s long-term strategic vision, connecting them with talent that elevates the organisation and drives commercial outcomes.

Leading our Brisbane expansion is Principal Consultant, Lauren Hetaraka, a seasoned recruiter who has been instrumental to WOW’s success in Sydney. With over seven years of industry experience and known for her honesty, empathy and practical insight, Lauren will drive WOW’s Queensland growth, overseeing both temporary and permanent talent solutions.

“Brisbane presents huge opportunity, with few cities in the world matching its current momentum,” said Emily Angeloni (McLeod), Co-Founder & Director.

“With underlying workforce indicators showing strong growth, skills shortages, and rapidly rising demand in sectors like construction, healthcare and logistics, we’re thrilled to have Lauren lead our expansion. We believe WOW Recruitment can help bridge those gaps, delivering high-quality solutions for both temporary and permanent talent.”

Lauren adds, “I’m excited to bring WOW Recruitment’s value and approach to Brisbane. We know businesses here need access to reliable, high-quality talent fast, and I look forward to partnering with both organisations and candidates to navigate this dynamic market.”

With this move, WOW Recruitment reaffirms its commitment to serving businesses and job seekers across both Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, providing tailored, transparent, and effective recruitment and staffing solutions.

For more information about recruitment services in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, visit www.wowrecruitment.com.au or connect with Lauren Hetaraka on LinkedIn.

Sources

1. Brisbane Economic Development Agency – 2025 State of the City Report
   https://beda.brisbane.qld.au/news-and-events/2025-state-of-the-city-report-launch
2. Queensland Government – Budget 2025–26: Economic Performance and Outlook
   https://budget.qld.gov.au/files/Budget-2025-26-BP2-Economic-performance-and-outlook.pdf
3. ABC News – Queensland Facing Infrastructure Workforce Shortfall Ahead of Brisbane Olympics
   https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-08/queensland-facing-infrastructure-shortfall-brisbane-olympics/105506284