The end of salary-only: 95% of large Australian employers embrace employee share schemes

Media release  

The end of salary-only: 95% of large Australian employers embrace
employee share schemes 

• 95% of decision makers at large Australian employers surveyed say their organisation either already offers an Employee Share Scheme (ESS) or is considering introducing one within the next three years. 

• 81% of decision makers at large Australian employers surveyed report their organisation has increased use of non-traditional pay, such as employee share schemes and equity compensation, over the past five years. 

• 98% of decision makers at large Australian employers surveyed with an existing employee share scheme are planning or considering expanding eligibility across more of their workforce. 

• Decision makers at large Australian employers surveyed cite employee retention (44%), engagement (43%) and attraction (43%) among the biggest benefits of offering employee share schemes. 

Thursday 29th October 2026, Sydney, Australia – Large Australian employers are accelerating the shift beyond salary-only remuneration, with new research from Sharesies revealing that 95% of decision makers at large employers surveyed either already offer an Employee Share Scheme (ESS) or are considering introducing one within the next three years. 

The findings suggest the next three years could mark a significant period of change in workplace remuneration, as large employers rethink how pay, employee ownership and long-term wealth creation can help them attract, engage and retain talent. 

Released as part of wealth app Sharesies 'Ownership: The New Wave of Wealth Report', the research found that 42% of decision makers at large Australian employers say their organisation already offers an ESS, while a further 53% are considering introducing one within the next three years.  

The shift extends beyond scheme adoption. More than four in five of those surveyed have increased their organisation’s use of non-traditional remuneration over the past five years, including almost one quarter that report a significant increase. 

Decision makers point to a shift beyond salary 

Decision makers at large Australian employers surveyed indicate their organisations are treating employee ownership as part of a broader workforce strategy, rather than a benefit reserved for founders, executives or senior leaders. 

Susannah Batley, General Manager of Sharesies Business, said: 

“Large Australian employers are rethinking what a compelling remuneration package looks like. Salary remains fundamental, but organisations are increasingly considering how ownership can help employees build long-term wealth while creating a stronger connection to the business.” 

“The scale of employer interest suggests that employee ownership is no longer sitting at the edges of the remuneration conversation. It is becoming an increasingly important part of how employers think about reward, engagement and their future employee proposition.” 

Employee ownership becomes part of the contest for talent 

The shift comes as employers look for new ways to strengthen their employee proposition. When asked about the biggest benefits of employee share schemes, those surveyed cited employee retention at 44%, engagement at 43% and attraction at 43% among the most valuable outcomes. 

Better business performance and enhanced company culture were each nominated by 37%, followed by employee financial wellbeing at 34%. Batley said the findings demonstrate that employers increasingly see employee ownership as both a remuneration and talent strategy.