RPO in 2025: is modern recruitment process outsourcing (or micro-RPO) right for your business?

RPO models like Harrison McMillan’s Talent Solutions are changing the game for businesses of all sizes. 

RPO isn’t just for large enterprises anymore. Whether you need end-to-end recruitment, ad hoc project support or embedded recruiters by the hour, modern RPO models like Harrison McMillan’s Talent Solutions are changing the game for businesses of all sizes. 

Recruitment has changed, has your internal function? 

Hiring in 2025 is more complex than ever. Time to fill is under pressure, agency percentage fees are climbing and internal teams are stretched. Businesses need recruitment support that is flexible, scalable, cost-effective and delivers results. 

That’s where modern recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) comes in. 


Traditional RPO was once the domain of large enterprises. But that’s no longer the case. At Harrison McMillan, we’ve redefined RPO through our flexible Talent Solutions model, designed to support any business size. Whether that means full RPO, micro-RPO, hybrid support, flat cost per hire or hourly recruitment packages, we tailor the solution to fit your environment. 

What is recruitment process outsourcing? 

RPO is where an external partner (like us) manages all or part of your recruitment process, from advertising and sourcing through to interviews, offers and onboarding. 


The difference today is that RPO can be scaled to your needs. Our solutions are: 

  • Fully embedded in your business, onsite or offsite 
  • Micro-RPO for SMEs or targeted recruitment projects 
  • Hybrid, where we work alongside your internal team 
  • Delivered on-demand through hourly recruitment packages or flat cost pricing


In every model, you gain a dedicated team, enterprise-grade tools, reduced time to hire and a consistent, professional candidate experience. 

How RPO compares to other hiring models 

Manager-led recruitment, often used in smaller businesses, may seem cost-free, but it can lead to inefficiencies, delays and missed talent opportunities. 


In house recruitment works for consistent hiring but often comes with overheads, limited tools, and pressure during peak periods or leave cover. 


Traditional agencies remain useful for executive or hard-to-fill roles but quickly become cost prohibitive for volume hiring at 15 to 20 percent per placement. 


Modern RPO and Talent Solutions give you greater control. You scale support up or down and only pay for what you need. 

Cost flexibility that matches your hiring demand 

One of the strongest advantages of our model is budget control. 


Whether it’s: 

  • A full recruitment project  
  • Just shortlisting and screening  
  • Volume or project recruitment 


You know exactly what you’re spending, with full transparency. 


Our clients value that hours are valid for six months or you can choose flat cost performance pricing. It also includes two recruiters and senior oversight as standard. There are no added costs for leave, tech, or supervision -  that’s all included too! 

Quality plus culture fit equals better hires 

RPO isn’t only about volume, it’s about consistency and alignment. 



By being embedded into your team, we’re able to deliver: 

  • Stronger candidate alignment to role and culture 
  • Consistent communication and candidate experience 
  • Employer brand advocacy 
  • Faster feedback loops between recruiters and hiring managers 


With access to advanced tech and national talent networks, we support hiring outcomes without you needing to scale internal resources. 

When RPO makes the most sense 

Our Talent Solutions model suits businesses that are: 

  • Hiring across multiple roles, teams or locations 
  • Working with overstretched internal recruiters 
  • Looking to avoid the cost of new headcount 
  • Wanting to reduce recruitment costs without compromising quality 
  • Seeking a partner who can scale with hiring peaks and troughs 

Final word: RPO in 2025 is smarter, smaller and more scalable 

We’ve reshaped RPO to support today’s hiring environment. Whether you need a full end-to-end solution, help with a time-sensitive project or just extra support for your internal team, our embedded model adapts to your business.


Want to explore how micro-RPO, hybrid support or flexible packages could work for you? 
Get in touch. Let’s build the right model for your team. 

Contact Us

September 26, 2025
With the AFL Grand Final this weekend it got us thinking – how do footy clubs recruit and manage their players and coaches for the best possible result, and what can we learn from them?
August 15, 2025
Recruitment in Australia is shifting, and fast
By rachelle delaporte August 13, 2025
Most organisations underestimate how much hiring really costs. When you add up time, overhead and hidden inefficiencies, your cost per hire is likely far higher than you think. Here's how to measure it and how to reduce it.
By rachelle delaporte August 13, 2025
Recruitment doesn’t have to mean agency fees or full-time internal hires. Our flexible hourly packages give you control, scale and expert delivery, without the commitment or overheads.
By rachelle delaporte August 13, 2025
Percentage based recruitment fees still have their place (yes, we offer them too). But for high volume or ongoing hiring, a flexible hourly based Talent Solutions model could make more strategic and financial sense for your business.
By rachelle delaporte August 13, 2025
Offshoring your recruitment? It might be costing you more than you think
By Jenna Yates May 16, 2025
Everyone’s talking about AI, but guess who’s standing out? The people who know how to lead, speak up and connect.
May 6, 2025
If you took a quick poll around the office, chances are you’d hear the same thing: flexibility is no longer a bonus - it's an expectation.
A harrison mcmillan logo next to a oapsco logo
May 17, 2024
Harrison McMillan (HM) is excited to announce that we have won the Best use of Digital Category in the APSCo Awards for excellence for 2021.
A woman is sitting at a table talking to a man and a woman.
May 17, 2024
By now we are sure you have heard of the great resignation, but it is all not doom and gloom, if you are supporting your employees, aligning employee priorities with practical workplace solutions, you can actually make the great resignation work in your favour, by retaining and attracting top talent and turning the great resignation into the great talent acquisition by hiring people who are ready to make the move.