The big four Aussie banks signed off on almost $24bn in profits recently, but most employees still aren’t expecting amazing bonuses this year.

CBA has already paid its bonuses, while the remaining three major Aussie banks – Westpac, NAB and ANZ – will cough up before year end. According to a recruiter, who asked not to be named, CBA’s payments were just “ok”.

The size of bonuses typically depends on company and divisional performance, and whether revenues and profits reach or exceed target, according to Andrew Hanson, director of financial services, Robert Walters.

“The Australian-based banks are currently offering better bonuses than some overseas banks because they fared better in the aftermath of the GFC,” says Hanson.

However, he adds: “People are more realistic about bonuses than they used to be, but they still have reasonably high expectations.”

Andrew McKissock, manager of the wealth management division at Porterallen says: “Given the difficult market conditions, employees don’t have huge expectations for bonuses this year.”

But despite this realistic attitude and the current global economic situation, it’s still fair to expect some post-bonus staff movement in early 2012.

McKissock believes most of those who want to change firms are sitting tight until the new year before they start looking. “Traditionally we see movement in the early new year after employees have received their bonuses, although people are still wary of the impact of overseas markets.”