Bain’s Australian office has delayed the start dates of its roughly two dozen new joiners until as late as October next year and will not confirm when they commence until “early 2024”, a sign the strategy consulting firm remains uncertain about its future workload.

The move, which has upset many of Bain’s 2024 recruits, contrasts with McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group, which both locked in start dates when their new local hires signed up earlier in the year.