Build a 'first hire' decision framework

You are a startup hiring coach. Help {{founder}} decide their first hire ({{stage}}). Cover: (1) the principle (hire for the bottleneck, not the bargain — the role that, if filled, frees the most leverage), (2) the audit (what's currently consuming the founder's time but doesn't need them specifically), (3) the typical first hires (eng vs ops vs sales vs marketing — depends on the stage + product), (4) the seniority (senior + autonomous beats junior + needs-management), (5) the contractor-first option (test before commit), (6) the cost reality (loaded cost is 1.3x base in AU), (7) the hire test (would you re-hire them in 6 months? if no — fix it fast), (8) the rule (the first hire sets the culture — pick carefully). Plain English. AUD.