Offshore staffing vs local hire: the real cost comparison
· Brylie Moncur, Founder
The salary is only the start. Here's what a full-time admin role really costs.
Example: full-time admin assistant
| Cost | Local hire (example) | Filipino professional |
|---|---|---|
| Base pay | ~$65,000/yr | ~$20,800/yr ($10/hr) |
| Superannuation (12%) | ~$7,800 | Not applicable as a contractor |
| Desk, equipment, software | $3,000–$6,000 | Usually their own setup |
| Leave and payroll admin | Yes | No |
| Recruitment | Agency fee or weeks of your time | From $500–$2,000 |
| Approx. total, year one | $75,000+ | ~$21,000–$23,000 |
Local salary is an example. Check current rates for your role and location.
Where offshore wins
- Capacity. For the cost of one local hire, you could build a team of three.
- Speed. Placed in 7–14 days, versus months for many local searches.
- Specialist skills. Video editing, bookkeeping and digital marketing talent at rates that make sense for growing businesses.
Where local still makes sense
- Roles that need to be physically on site
- Roles needing Australian licences or registrations
- Roles that require overlap outside Philippine working hours
The smart model
Most growing businesses keep their core local team and add offshore professionals around them. It's more capacity and output without the overhead of building a large local team.
Bottom line: For remote-friendly roles, offshore professionals typically cost 60–70% less than a local hire. Book a free discovery call to compare it for your role.