About us
Planned Resources is a specialist recruitment agency based in Melbourne, working with candidates and employers across Australia. We recruit across built environment, public sector and related professional services markets, including planning & development, design, engineering, government, surveying, property and business services.
We know recruitment is a serious decision for everyone involved. A new hire can change the direction of a team. A new job can change the direction of a career. That is why we take the time to understand the people, the market and the detail behind every appointment. We are professional, but we are not corporate for the sake of it. We like honest conversations, clear advice and working with people who care about getting things right.
Our story
Planned Resources was established in 2010 with a focus on town planning & development recruitment in Melbourne.
That early specialism gave us a strong foundation. We knew the market, understood the roles and built relationships with people across state and local governments, consultancies and the wider built environment.
Over time, our reputation grew through referrals, repeat work and long-term relationships. From town planning, we expanded into design, engineering, surveying, property, government and business services.
Today, we are still proudly based in Melbourne, but our work reaches across Australia. We have grown carefully, without losing the specialist knowledge and personal approach that shaped the business from the beginning.
Meet the people behind the placements
The strength of Planned Resources is our team.
Our consultants bring experience, personality and specialist knowledge to their markets. They are the people candidates call when they are considering a career move, and the people clients trust when they need a clear view of the talent market. We are professional, but we are also real people. We like proper conversations, long-term relationships and working with people who care about doing things well.
What we are
like to work with
Clear, honest and easy to talk to
Recruitment does not need to be overcomplicated. It does, however, need to be handled properly.
Our consultants ask questions, listen closely and give honest advice. That means we will sometimes challenge a brief, offer a different view or talk through the realities of the market. We do that because good recruitment depends on clear information and practical advice.
We are not here to push people through a process. We are here to help clients and candidates make better decisions.
Our values
Our values guide how we work with clients, candidates and each other.
Maturity
We treat recruitment as a partnership. That means listening properly, respecting each person's priorities and working with openness, honesty and care.
Mutual respect
We treat recruitment as a partnership. That means listening properly, respecting each person’s priorities and working with openness, honesty and care.
Maturity
We bring real market knowledge to every conversation. Our consultants understand the roles, employers and candidate markets they work within, so our advice is practical, relevant and informed.
Intelligence
We handle recruitment with professionalism and perspective. Whether we are giving feedback, managing expectations or supporting an important decision, we do it with clarity and respect.
Why work with Planned Resources?
Our markets
Relationships
We know our markets, and we know the people in them
Our work is built on specialist knowledge, established networks and long-term relationships. Many of our consultants have worked within the same markets for years, giving clients and candidates consistency, familiarity and informed advice.
For employers, this means access to realistic market feedback, considered candidate recommendations and a recruitment partner who understands the context behind the role.
For candidates, it means honest guidance, insight into different employers and support through each stage of the process.
We support permanent, contract and temporary recruitment across Australia, with specialist consultants across planning & development, design, engineering, government, surveying, property and business services.
Built on relationships,
not transactions
Many of our clients and candidates come back to us again and again.
That does not happen by accident. It comes from being consistent, doing what we say we will do and treating people properly throughout the recruitment process.
Sometimes our role is to introduce the right person to the right opportunity. Sometimes it is to offer advice, talk through the market, challenge assumptions or help someone make sense of their options.
However we are involved, we want people to feel they have had a clear, honest and useful conversation with someone who knows their market.
Our design team combines specialist recruitment experience with established relationships across the built environment. We bring three values to every appointment.
Maturity
We focus on long-term outcomes rather than pushing people into the quickest available option.
Intelligence
Mutual Respect
We use our understanding of the design market to provide practical, informed advice.
We listen, communicate openly and respect the decisions of both candidates and employers.
What people say about Planned Resources
What sets Russell and Leo apart is their ability to consistently deliver high-quality candidates while demonstrating a deep understanding of our business, our challenges and our opportunities. They provide trusted advice and deliver an exceptional, authentic service.
Looking for a new job after more than a decade in my previous role was extremely stressful however having Leo's empathetic and professional approach on my side really put me in the captains chair. His knowledge and quick action resulted in two interviews within the first few hours! I couldn't really recommend anyone else and will definitely be in touch with him again if needed in future. Thanks Leo!
We recently partnered with Kirsten Ellis on several roles that required highly niche skills, knowing the talent market was challenging. Kirsten exceeded our expectations by quickly identifying and presenting exceptional candidates, making the process smooth and efficient.
Leo is an absolute delight to work with! He found us a phenomenal candidate who has been incredible to work with - He responds in a timely manner, happy to talk through any questions that I may have, always has time and understands the needs of my team and the organisation. Thank you Leo!
Cindy was fantastic to work with from the very beginning! She was very communicative, open and honest, and was a great advocate for me throughout the application process. I especially appreciated how she went through my resume with me to report back to the company exactly what I had done in previous roles and what I was capable of.
The team at Planned Resources have been so easy to deal with. They had a candidate we thought would fit perfectly and the team set up an interview very quickly. Within a few days we had the candidate working with us and they fit perfectly. A very well organised team.
I had an excellent experience working with Cindy Tran and highly recommend the Planned Resources team. Cindy provided generous and thoughtful career advice, kept me well informed throughout, and identified an opportunity that proved to be a great fit for my skills and career direction.
Kirsten and Russell take the time to understand the business, what the role needs and always deliver candidates right on point.
I had the pleasure of working with Leigh M during my job search, and I couldn’t be more impressed with his professionalism and dedication. He took the time to understand my skills and career goals, and matched me with opportunities that were a perfect fit.
Leo knows our company inside out and always puts forward candidates that he believes may be a good fit. This hire has been exactly that. We wouldn't hesitate to work with Leo again in the future.
Ash Fajerman is the best recruiter in Melbourne. She actually cares about your well-being and tries to find the right job for you, rather than just any job.
I have had a fantastic experience with Planned Resources. I actually obtained my first professional role because of them back in 2017, and recently, Leo assisted me with my endeavours to do contract work. I highly recommend them!
Kirsten had been great to work with and highly recommended.
Good at building relationships and good at communicating throughout recruitment period. Helpful, friendly and understanding.
Kirsten is such an amazing person, all communications have a personal touch, very professional and kind. Planned Resources are very lucky to have someone like Kirsten working with them.
Bec and Leo are so friendly, informed and professional. They understood the type of role that I was seeking, and they delivered by finding a position that is most suitable for my experience and career aspirations.
Leo has been fantastic to work with over a number of recruitments. He takes a very positive and client focussed approach making the process simple.
Kirsten has been a terrific support for more than 2 years.
Quick to listen, assist, chase up and finalize. A huge help at a difficult time.
I have worked with Leo twice now when changing roles, both times I've had an excellent experience. I would strongly recommend him to anyone thinking of changing roles.
Had a very smooth experience being supported by the recruiter into my role. They were very personable and professional and it’s been a really ideal fit for me and the current stage of my career. Great work.
Leo provided me with amazing support, updates and advice which made a huge difference to the job application process. I can't recommend Leo more highly and I am incredibly grateful for the support and valuable advice he provided during this very unnerving time of job applications, interview and onboarding. Thank you again Leo and hope you have a fabulous honeymoon!
I have already recommended Planned Resources to others: especially Rebecca. She has been proactive, communicative and a delight. I am very grateful.
Excellent communication, quick response to queries, Leo is professional, articulate in his spoken delivery and has a pleasant manner. He has time for the candidate. My placement was a smooth process. Thank you Planned Resources.
Leo was great. He made the process smooth and took a lot of the administrative burden off me which I really appreciate. His confidence in me gave me a level of confidence I might not have had if I’d made the job application myself. He checks in regularly which is very helpful during what can be a nerve-racking experience. I would recommend Leo to other people in the future.
Rebecca is great to work with and understands instantly what you are looking for in a candidate. She is always responsive and provides updates on a regular basis.
I’ve been engaged with Planned Resources as a pathway for my career opportunities for a number of years now and they've invariably delivered roles that I've enjoyed taking and working in. If you are seeking a new career path or a fresh challenge, I'd absolutely recommend Planned Resources to facilitate that pivot.
Leo is always responsive and across our specific recruiting needs. Easily the most efficient way for our company to source talent aligned to our project work. Thanks again Planned Resources!
Ash was incredibly helpful with finding a role for me and helping me throughout the process for the role. She was able to help me get back on my feet. I am sincerely grateful for her help during a tough time in my life.
Cindy explained the process really well, she clearly communicated and provided great support with the transition.
A balanced approach to finding a suitable position for my specific skill set.
Ash was amazing to deal with throughout the whole recruitment process. She was supportive, professional, and always available to answer any questions I had. Her guidance made everything smooth and stress-free, and I really appreciated her genuine care and commitment.
In-depth industry knowledge, helpful and efficient.
Great communication, Rebecca and Leo listened to the type of experience I was seeking to fill the role and provided great candidates for interview.
Cindy was amazing! Very responsive and proactive and checked in well after being placed.
Leo was very responsive and understanding of our requirements.
Friendly and understanding of employee/employer needs. Excellent service, I am very pleased.
Cindy was very attentive and a great communicator during the whole process. Russell also provided great advice to prepare me for the interview stage.
Garry didn't waste my time with candidates that weren't a match for our culture and I felt he was fully transparent throughout both our end and with candidates.
Garry is a very good communicator all throughout the recruitment and hiring process. He provides me adequate support from day 1 and share all his knowledge that surely help me when I first arrive here in Melbourne.
Leigh was excellent, professional and great to deal with. His responsiveness was also impressive.
Professional, effective, no wasted communications or being strung along. Follow-up was 'sweet spot' - felt neither neglected nor put-upon.
Due to the bespoke nature of our role, we were conscious of the challenges in finding the correct candidate. Planned Resources were open to having several in depth discussion as to the requirements of the role to understand its nuances.
Cindy gave great advice and regular updates in a timely manner. She was very friendly and had great communication skills. My experience was nothing but great.
We were impressed with Leo's recruiting skills in sourcing this candidate. As always, Leo has been readily available and was well resourced to be able to provide us with required information to be able to make a confident decision.
Leo is a great operator, knows LG business and us and understands our needs.
Highly professional recruiter. Thanks to Garry Hart. I have secure a job within 2 weeks after arrived to Australia.
Leo helped make the recruitment process as smooth as possible and assisted me in finding the best role suited to my skills, professional and personal goals.
Leigh was good with preparing me as to what they were looking for in the interview.
Understands our requirements. Easy to communicate with.
Leo has been nothing short of a legend, and has helped me immensely as an early career planner. Leo has been attentive to my needs and helped me navigate the industry with a steady, experienced hand.
Wonderful and professional support throughout the recruitment process. Excellent communication.
Rebecca and Leo have been very supportive and genuine souls throughout the entire process. Their constant updates and feedback have always been very helpful.
I first met Leo and Rebecca years ago, but they always maintained the relationship and when the time was right and the right opportunity came along, they thought of me.
Planned Resources should be the go to recruitment firm for everyone. Leo & Rebecca are very dedicated in helping people achieving their career goals.
Alan was amazing!!! He understood what I was looking for and was super easy to chat with.
I want to give a huge thumbs up to my recruiter, Ash, for her exceptional support and dedication in helping me find the perfect job. Her expertise, professionalism, and encouragement throughout the process were truly invaluable. Thank you, Ash, for making this journey a successful one!
Planned Resources was exceptional throughout the entire process of me seeking a new job, preparing me for the interview and onboarding. Highly recommended!
Highly professional and knew how my strengths, experience and background would contribute to the role.
Leo has been great to deal with and has provided a strong group of candidates, highly recommend.
It was great to be assisted by Leo. He provided honest and genuine advice on how to transition to the role I desired.
It was excellent experience with Planned Resources. Alan did update me each and every move, and kept me updated. Alan also guided me with some useful tips to win the job and made sure all of my requirements were met and went beyond the limits to help me. Appreciate Alan’s effort. Thanks.
Approachable and professional would recommend to anyone.
Leo has been a pleasure to deal with once again. He genuinely understands the needs of our team and the skill set we require.
Planned Resources was very responsive to our urgent recruitment request, and patient with our changing requirements. Leo and Rebecca were professional and respectful and wonderful to work with.
Outstanding - induction and IT very helpful. Love in person induction.
Ash has been a delight to work with, demonstrating exceptional professionalism throughout our interactions. Their approach has made the process remarkably smooth and stress-free.
Leo was really attentive and was in contact regularly to update me at each step of the process which I really appreciated.
Good Communication and took on board our specific needs.
Ash was a pleasure to deal with, very open and always in communication about prospective employment.
Ash has been nothing short of amazing, she follows up and checks in with how you’re going and clarifies anything you need assistance with. I’ve been very blessed to have her get me to where I am. Thanks Ash!
Very Professional and very pro-active staff. Prompt response and always available to resolve any issues or questions. Top notch recruiter. Looking forward to build a long lasting relationship.
I am sincerely grateful to Cindy Tran for ensuring the selection process was smooth and my employer got to see my skills and experience favourably. She walked alongside me to ensure everything was clear, transparent and accountable, particularly going above and beyond by contacting each of my references personally.
My recruiter reached out to me and within a few weeks had found me a position, honestly they were an absolute godsend in a very trying time for me.
Leo was excellent in helping me get the role. Prior to this one, he helped me get another role elsewhere was incredibly supportive during a lot of tough times this year. I couldn't ask for a better guy to help me get set up.
Leo is a pleasure to work with. Excellent understanding of the industry and what our company seeks in candidates.
Ash is a very dedicated, hard working recruiter who works with integrity. I found Ash to be very kind, amazing at her job and I have loved working with her.
Fantastic - friendly, prompt, clear, calming, and accurate comms. Leo is the perfect recruitment professional and an all-round delightful bloke.
Kirsten is knowledgeable and has great industry contacts. Easy to deal with.
Ability to communicate well and understand needs of business unit.
Great industry knowledge and is able to find the right candidate to fit the work profile.
Planned Resources has always been great to work with. I appreciate that the staff always invest in the relationship and understanding the best fit between an applicant and organisation. This has opened opportunities for me to take on enjoyable roles where I can make a difference.
Ash is always helpful whenever we are looking for a short term candidate. Ash is never too busy, is always personable and is someone we can trust.
Very helpful, good listener, was able to match me as the candidate with the right employer. No pressure, and available for questions.
He made an effort to gain a good understanding of my career goals and was completely proactive in searching available opportunities. He also provided me with an impressive support during the recruitment process.
Every step has been positive. I feel extremely well “looked after”.
She listened to what I was looking for and delivered a great opportunity in a small period of time.
Leo has been highly professional in his dealings, understands candidates’ skills, expectations and needs, and finds the appropriate roles to suit both the candidate and employers. Leo takes time to talk, discuss things in detail, promptly respond to queries and follow up. Thank you Leo!
The Planned Resources team have a brilliant knack of understanding a candidate's needs, career situation, strengths & weaknesses, and ambitions, from the very first conversation.
Kirsten is always friendly and helpful, she has an excellent understanding of the industry and the demands placed on her clients. She is always available for a conversation and professional advice.
Leo was a pleasure to deal with. He listened to me and provided feedback and guidance which led to my new role. Overall Leo is trustworthy and would gladly recommend.
Ash has always been kind and helpful to me finding a right job. She is friendly and helpful always.
Leo was extremely helpful and professional and found me a position that matched exactly what I was looking for. He was also a pleasure to deal with.
Leo has been a secret second manager to me. Thank you for the advice and believing in me with zero experience. I hope this is not a goodbye and we get to work together soon!
We received excellent and timely service to recruit a specialist contractor.
Planned Resources and Kirsten helped me to kickstart my career… she’s always in touch and updates us regularly… Kirsten is very reliable and she’s always there when you need help…
My experience with Planned Resources has been amazing, the application process was smooth and easy to follow. My placement is perfect. The support and communication has been above and beyond. I highly recommend Planned Resources to local government officers and employers.
Planned Resources through Kirsten's efforts enabled me to accept the important role to assist in the re-build of the property team, which has exceeded expectations by delivery and results to date.
Communication was excellent and I was treated in an inclusive and respectful manner.
An approachable and supportive recruiter who kept me updated on the process and went to extended efforts to be able to answer my questions.
Ash is brilliant - so kind and genuinely pleased when I got my role. She is very active in reaching out to employers and providing updates as we go through the process.
Very professional. Took the time to match my profile with the correct employer. Organised an interview promptly and kept me informed throughout the recruitment process. Great job!
Garry was outstanding in helping me land a Structural Engineer role in Melbourne.
My experience with Planned Resources was excellent from start to finish.
Engaged actively with industry to find the right candidate.
Friendly, professional, responsive and helpful
Hardest worker in the room.
Very prompt and detailed guidance provided.
Very professional and easily reachable.
Kirsten is very professional and the great person to be working with. She is very helpful and makes the process of finding the right assignment really easy.
What sets Russell and Leo apart is their ability to consistently deliver high-quality candidates while demonstrating a deep understanding of our business, our challenges and our opportunities. They provide trusted advice and deliver an exceptional, authentic service.
Looking for a new job after more than a decade in my previous role was extremely stressful however having Leo's empathetic and professional approach on my side really put me in the captains chair. His knowledge and quick action resulted in two interviews within the first few hours! I couldn't really recommend anyone else and will definitely be in touch with him again if needed in future. Thanks Leo!
We recently partnered with Kirsten Ellis on several roles that required highly niche skills, knowing the talent market was challenging. Kirsten exceeded our expectations by quickly identifying and presenting exceptional candidates, making the process smooth and efficient.
Ready to work with us?
Whether you are hiring specialist talent or thinking about your next career move, speak with a team that knows your market and cares about getting it right.
FAQs
How is Planned Resources different from a generalist recruitment agency?
We specialise exclusively in built environment, public sector and related professional services markets. Our consultants have deep knowledge of the roles, the people and the employers in these sectors. That means faster, more relevant placements and more honest conversations about the market.
What can candidates expect when working with Planned Resources?
You can expect honest advice, clear communication and support through every stage of your job search. We take the time to understand your experience, your goals and what matters to you. We will only put you forward for roles we genuinely believe are a good fit.
What can employers expect from Planned Resources?
Employers get a recruitment partner who understands the context behind the role, not just the job description. We provide realistic market feedback, considered candidate recommendations and a process that is straightforward and transparent from brief to placement.
Does Planned Resources offer permanent, contract and temporary recruitment?
Yes. We support permanent, contract and temporary recruitment across Australia. Whether you need to fill a long-term role, cover a project or find interim support, we can help across planning & development, design, engineering, government, surveying, property and business services.
