Countries · Philippines
Offshoring to the Philippines: hire offshore staff for your Australian business
The Philippines is a well-established offshore market with a large professional workforce, strong English and a service-driven culture. We recruit full-time staff there for almost any role, from virtual assistants, receptionists and customer service to bookkeepers, accountants, IT and marketing. Fees are the same as Sri Lanka: from $5,999 + GST, filled in 3–4 weeks.
- Time difference
- AEST −2 h
- Talent pool
- 30,000+
- Time to fill
- 3–4 weeks
- Potential saving
- 60–70%
Quick answer
What does offshoring to the Philippines cost?
Offshoring to the Philippines means hiring a full-time team member who lives in the Philippines and works remotely, only for your business. You pay their monthly salary, typically A$1,300–1,900 for admin and support roles and A$2,000–3,200 for accountants and developers, plus our fee: $5,999 + GST once, or $1,000 a month with no upfront fee.
Why the Philippines
Client-facing strength and strong English
- A well-established offshore market with a large professional workforce
- Strong English communication skills
- A service-driven work culture suited to client-facing roles
- Only 2 hours behind Sydney, so most of the day overlaps
Roles we place most in the Philippines
All roles →Salary guide
What staff in the Philippines earn
Salaries for people with excellent English start at about A$1,300 a month, before skills. We recruit at the experienced end of the market, so expect most hires in the upper half of each range.
Full-time salaries in Australian dollars, before our fee and IT options. Every role page has its own range. See our fees →
Working hours
Most of your business day, covered live
The Philippines (UTC+8) is 2 hours behind AEST and 3 hours behind AEDT, so a normal Manila working day lines up closely with yours.
This suits roles that work live with customers and your team: phones, live chat, bookings, client-facing admin and anyone who joins your meetings.
Accounting in the Philippines
Outsourcing accounting to the Philippines
The Philippines has a large accounting workforce. Many candidates are Certified Public Accountants or accounting graduates, and many have worked in outsourcing firms serving Australian and US clients on Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks.
Rather than sending work to a shared outsourcing team, you hire a full-time bookkeeper, accounts payable officer, trust accountant or accountant who works only for you, in your systems and your hours. Bookkeeping and accounts roles typically earn A$1,400–2,000 a month, and tax and management accountants A$2,000–2,900.
Meet the kind of people you'll work with
Pictured: members of the Elephant Teams team.
Australian businesses building offshore teams with Elephant Teams
Philippines offshoring questions
Does it cost more to hire in Sri Lanka or the Philippines?
Our fees are identical in both countries. Only the staff member's wage differs, and we compare both in your consultation.
What hours do Filipino staff work?
Hours are agreed in the offer. Manila is 2 hours behind Sydney (AEST), 3 hours during daylight saving.
Which is better for client-facing roles?
The Philippines is often chosen for client-facing admin and finance operations. Read Sri Lanka vs Philippines →
Is it legal for an Australian business to hire staff in the Philippines?
Yes. You choose who employs them: you employ them directly, we employ them as Employer of Record (EOR) for $350 a month, or on Managed for You we employ and manage them. Philippine rules, such as 13th-month pay and SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG contributions, apply whoever is the employer.
Do I have to pay 13th-month pay in the Philippines?
Yes, for employees. Philippine law (Presidential Decree 851) requires a 13th-month payment of at least one-twelfth of the year's basic salary, paid by 24 December. Budget for it as part of the annual salary. If we employ them as Employer of Record, we run it through payroll.
Do I have to pay Australian super for staff in the Philippines?
Generally no. ATO guidance says you don't have to pay super for non-resident employees who work outside Australia. Philippine contributions to SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG apply instead.