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How to Become a Leisure Consultant: Australian Careers in Hospitality

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What is a Leisure Consultant?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Leisure Consultant?

A Leisure Consultant helps clients plan and enjoy their leisure time. They work across tourism, hospitality, local services and aged care settings. They give advice on programs, events and leisure options that fit each client’s needs.

Day-to-day, Leisure Consultants talk to clients to find out what they enjoy. They research and suggest activities, from travel packages to local fitness programs. They work with venues, providers and event teams to bring plans to life. Strong client ties are key to the role.

Leisure Consultants work for travel agencies, resorts, local councils, hospitals and aged care facilities. They may plan group tours, local wellness programs or leisure activities for people with disabilities. The range of settings makes this a flexible and varied career.

The role suits people who are organised, sociable and keen to improve others’ quality of life. With experience, Leisure Consultants can move into program management, local development or senior roles.

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Career snapshots For Leisure Consultants

The leisure and recreation sector employs around 1,700 Recreation Officers across Australia (ABS Census, 2021). Leisure Consultants work within this broader occupational group.

The median age is 37. About 57% work full-time, averaging 40 hours a week. The remaining 43% work part-time. The workforce is 61% female (ABS Census, 2021).

Salaries for Leisure Consultants range from $75,000 to $85,000 a year on average (SEEK, June 2026). Senior and specialist roles pay above this range.

Jobs are concentrated in NSW (30.6%), Victoria (24.5%) and Queensland (19.4%). Most roles are in public administration, health care and arts and recreation services (ABS Census, 2021).

What will I do?

A Leisure Consultant plans and delivers leisure experiences for clients. They check what clients enjoy, then plan activities and run the services needed to make those plans work. The role spans tourism, local programs, health care and hospitality.

  • Client consultation: meet with clients to check their leisure needs and preferences.
  • Activity planning: build tailored leisure plans that match interests and budgets.
  • Market research: track trends in recreation, tourism and leisure activities.
  • Vendor coordination: liaise with travel agencies, event planners and facilities.
  • Budget management: help clients get the best value from their leisure spending.
  • Event organisation: plan and run workshops, retreats and group leisure events.
  • Feedback collection: gather client feedback to improve programs and services.
  • Promotional activities: create materials to promote leisure services and programs.
  • Community networking: build ties with local businesses and organisations.
  • Reporting: prepare summaries of program outcomes and client satisfaction.

What skills do I need?

A Leisure Consultant needs a mix of people skills and practical know-how. Strong communication is key. You need to know what clients want and turn that into a clear plan. You also need good planning skills to run multiple programs and events at once.

Knowledge of the leisure industry matters. This means keeping up with trends in tourism, recreation and local health. Financial skills count too. Budgets must be managed well to deliver good value for clients.

Problem-solving rounds out the skill set. Clients have varied needs, and the best consultants adapt fast to find what works.

Skills/attributes

  • Clear communication and active listening
  • Client service and relationship management
  • Knowledge of leisure, tourism and recreation trends
  • Program planning and event coordination
  • Problem-solving and adaptability
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to work both independently and in a team
  • Networking and relationship-building
  • Time management and organisation
  • Marketing and promotion skills
  • Budget management and financial awareness
  • Flexibility and resilience
  • Enthusiasm for leisure activities and community wellbeing

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.