Consulting in Australia (Sydney)

Australia corporate culture office culture Oliver Wyman working culture
Recent activity on Nov 08, 2017
2 Answers
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Anonymous asked on Nov 05, 2017

Hi all,

Does anyone know anything about management consulting in Australia/Sydney? In particular,
- what is the culture like?
- which firms are the "big players" in the local market?
- how is Australian work experience viewed internationally?

For context, I received an offer for OW Sydney but have not spent time in Australia/never been to Sydney. Choosing between OW Sydney and an analytics firm (Applied Predictive Technologies) based in the US.

Best,

Annie

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Cam
Expert
replied on Nov 08, 2017
Ex-McKinsey EM | 100+ interviews including final round | Cambridge Engineer | INSEAD MBA | London & Sydney Offices

Hi Annie,

I worked for McKinsey in Sydney so thought I would just share a few thoughts:

- The industry is very consolidated - McKinsey, BCG, and Deloitte are probably the biggest players though Bain's offering is growing. I think OW is in a similar boat but don't know their situation well. McK for example now has 6 offices across ANZ (Syd, Mel, Bris, Perth, Canberra & Auckland)

- Australia is much more insular as an economy than most of the world, so consultants here typically stay in Australia a lot more than a UK one would stay in the UK (though this may vary by firm). Work in consulting typically mirrors the economy, so mining and banking are the 2 big area's here

- Culturally consulting in Australia is very laid back. In McKinsey it's almost certainly the least formal and best for lifestyle (read hours) office globally. I worked across 15 off offices in my time and nothing really came close. It may vary by firm though

- Australia is well regarded, but doesn't quite have the repuation of London or New York. Ultimately I have found employers care far more about the company you work for rather than where you work for them

- McKinsey is probably close ot 50% foreign born. Sydney in general is a very mulicultural and ex-pat heavy city, and definitly an easy place to live (I am still here)

I would encourage you to consider the personal implications of moving to the other side of the world. This is what many of my colleagues found the hardest

Hope this helps, let me know if you want any further info

Thanks

Cameron

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Vlad
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updated an answer on Nov 06, 2017
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

More and more people are moving there for consulting. It's like a new Dubai.

I can tell you about McKinsey:

  • 2 offices - Sydney and Perth
  • Fastest growing McKinsey office

  • Great growth in retail, Mining.

  • Great culture in the office, very opened to expats.

  • Good bonuses since it's booming

  • Internationally I believe it's the same McKinsey experience.

Best,

(edited)

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Cam

Ex-McKinsey EM | 100+ interviews including final round | Cambridge Engineer | INSEAD MBA | London & Sydney Offices
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