Services Approach Experience Security About Book a call
Strategic · practical · accountable

Independent IT leadership
for growing businesses.

I help businesses improve how IT decisions are made and executed.
I work inside existing environments to identify risks and inefficiencies, challenge assumptions, and deliver practical improvements across systems, security and infrastructure.

See services & pricing
Sunshine Coast & BrisbaneOnsite & remote
Security & infrastructureMicrosoft 365 · cloud
Essential EightDefence supply chain
Where it starts

Your business has changed — but your IT is falling behind.

For growing businesses, not big IT departments

The same issues keep surfacing. Projects stall without clear ownership, systems drift out of alignment, and providers don't always deliver what's expected.

At some point, it stops being about fixing individual problems and becomes about having someone who can step in, assess what's really happening, and help you make better decisions across the whole environment.

That's where I come in — working between management, internal teams and providers to get IT back under control and pointed at where the business is going.

How clients typically engage

Three starting points

Every engagement starts with a conversation. Most clients come in through one of three starting points, depending on their situation.

When you need clarity

IT Health Check

An independent review of your systems, security and operations — identifying risks, gaps and priorities, with a practical roadmap.

From $2,500Fixed fee, agreed up front.
Credited toward any project of $5,000+ booked within 60 days.
When decisions need leadership

IT Advisory

Independent IT leadership without a full-time hire — decisions made, providers challenged, improvements kept moving.

Retainer from $1,600/moTen hours monthly included or $180/h.
Priority access · month-to-month and no lock-in.
When execution matters

IT Projects

Delivery of a critical project from scoping through to handover, with clear ownership of outcomes.

From $5,000Fixed price after a scoping step.
Most projects fall between $5,000 and $25,000.

All prices in AUD and indicative. Final pricing is confirmed in writing after an initial conversation and scoping.

How I work

Independent by design

I don't sell hardware, software licences or managed services. I recommend what's right for your business — not what I can sell.

Independent advice

No resale, no commissions, no agenda beyond your outcome.

Strategic and hands-on

Comfortable moving between the boardroom and the server room.

Commercial judgement

Recommendations weighed against cost, risk and business value — not just technical preference.

Calm under pressure

Experienced leading organisations through incidents and disruption.

Simple by design

1

Conversation

A free, no-obligation call. I tell you honestly whether I can help.

2

Scope

A clear scope with a fixed price or agreed rate, before any work begins.

3

Deliver

The work, done properly, with you kept informed throughout.

4

Improve

Most clients move into an ongoing advisory relationship.

Track record

Proven under pressure

I've worked inside environments where IT wasn't just support — it was critical to keeping the business running.

Across fast-growing and high-stakes environments, I've built IT from the ground up, kept businesses running through incidents, and delivered the projects that mattered.

Hypergrowth

Scaled infrastructure and support across multiple sites during rapid expansion, without losing reliability.

Cyber attack recovery

Kept a business operating through ransomware disruption and recovered systems and data.

Infrastructure & migrations

Delivered site relocations and network upgrades — and restored operations fast when critical hardware failed.

Cost optimisation

Reduced unnecessary spend through licensing, procurement and vendor negotiation.

Featured case study – Gilmour Space

Building IT from the ground up in a scaling aerospace business

As the company's first dedicated IT hire, I built reliable, secure and practical IT infrastructure from the ground up — helping an early-stage aerospace business mature into a multi-site operation supporting manufacturing, engineering, test and launch, and progressing through DISP certification.

"He took on one of the most important and underappreciated jobs in a scaling aerospace business. He could operate strategically with leadership, work hands-on to solve urgent problems, coordinate vendors, support staff, and translate technical decisions into business outcomes. He was calm under pressure, service-oriented, and focused on solutions that actually worked." Nicholas Lindsay — Director of Scaling, Hypersonix (formerly Head of Staff, Gilmour Space)
Client feedback

"On several occasions, tasks that other providers estimated would take weeks were completed by Pavel in a matter of days. He genuinely becomes an extension of the team he supports."

Peter Kinne — CEO, Southern Cross Space

"He always sought solutions tailored specifically to our company and its processes. Communication was open, clear and responsive, and he could be relied upon completely — technically and organisationally."

Jakub Danko — IT Manager, Infinit s.r.o.

"A dedicated and smart IT professional with a rare sense of communication. His talent would be an asset for any business keen to develop an IT department focused on service."

Jeremie Delassus — Head of Operations, Pivotel

"We've utilised Pavel as our IT specialist for Fortinet management, networking improvements and a security systems uplift — and value having his experienced technical guidance available when we need it."

Dr. Robert Kennedy — Engineering Manager, BIA5
Specialisation

Essential Eight & DISP readiness

If you're a defence-adjacent business, security expectations have already changed.

Since November 2025, every DISP applicant — including Entry Level — must reach Essential Eight Maturity Level 2. This is a real operational requirement, not a paperwork exercise.

I assess where you stand, deliver the uplift required to meet compliance, and support ongoing security maturity as your environment evolves.

Get clarity on your DISP readiness
How I help with this

IT Health Check

I assess your current maturity against Essential Eight requirements, identify gaps, and document what needs to change.

IT Projects — uplift

I deliver the changes required to reach compliance, including remediation, configuration and implementation support.

IT Advisory — ongoing

I help maintain compliance over time, support audits, and ensure security controls remain effective as your environment changes.

PC
Pavel Chmelar, IT Systems & Security Consultant
Who I am

About me

I'm an independent IT systems and security consultant based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. After years building and leading IT inside fast-growing businesses, I now help other growing companies do the same — bringing the judgement of an experienced IT leader without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire.

My approach is practical and independent. Technology should support the business, not become the obstacle. I favour reliability over complexity, outcomes over activity, and honest advice over the easy sell.

I work comfortably with executives, users, technical teams and vendors, helping each group understand the decisions being made and why they matter.

Most work is delivered remotely. Onsite is included across the Sunshine Coast and available by arrangement elsewhere in Queensland.

📍 Sunshine Coast · Queensland · Australia
Let's talk

Start with a conversation

The first conversation is free and without obligation.
Here's what it looks like:

Review your situation Identify what's holding things back Give you a clear answer on whether I can help
Book a discovery call

Or reach me directly

0491 040 434 Show email LinkedIn