How Offshore Recruitment Services Are Powering Australian Startups & SMEs

Running a startup or SME in Australia isn’t easy, especially with over 2.6 million businesses competing for talent. With tight budgets, small teams, and the constant need to scale, every hire needs to count. But finding the right people? That’s a whole different challenge. 

Moreover, it’s not just about looking harder. It’s about finding qualified professionals. Searching within Australia alone just doesn’t cut it, and that’s where offshore staffing makes all the difference.
 

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By tapping into other countries’ talent pools, like the Philippines, businesses can onboard high-performing remote professionals. From virtual administrative assistants for their Australian operations to more specialized roles, offshore staffing offers cost-effective, scalable solutions that help businesses stay competitive.

In this blog, we’ll dive into how remote staffing is helping Australian startups and SMEs grow, overcome hiring challenges, and build a stronger, more efficient team.

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The Rising Cost of Local Australian Talent

While Australia is one of the easiest countries to start a business in, that doesn’t mean entrepreneurs won’t face challenges (especially when it comes to hiring). Talent is a major driver of business success, but the rising costs of hiring in Australia have become a growing concern for many companies.

Australia is facing a serious labor shortage across multiple industries, and businesses are feeling the strain. Right now, about 33% of all jobs are in national shortage, with trades and technical roles being the hardest to fill. 

Naturally, this shortage has driven up hiring costs, and we’re not just talking about salaries but the entire recruitment process.
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Salaries and wages

As of July 2024, the Australian national minimum wage for adults has gone up by 3.75%, requiring local talent to be compensated with AUD 24.10 per hour or AUD 915.90 per week. 

For startups and SMEs, this rise adds to the financial pressure of hiring locally. Many business owners initially spend AUD 3,000 to 5,000 to build their company, with costs sometimes reaching up to AUD 10,000.
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Superannuation contributions

In Australia, employers are required to contribute to their employees’ retirement savings through the Super Guarantee (SG). Right now, the rate is 11.5% of an employee’s ordinary time earnings (OTE). This applies to full-time, part-time, and casual employees, so no matter how someone works, they’re still entitled to super. 

Employers need to make these contributions at least every three months, and the money goes straight into the employee’s nominated super account to help them save for the future.
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Recruitment costs

Businesses in Australia spend an average of AUD 23,860 per hire, with the time-to-hire stretching to 40 days. That’s over a month spent sourcing, vetting, and interviewing—time and money that many SMEs and startups simply can’t afford.
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Workplace overheads

In March 2022, 40% of businesses saw their operating expenses rise—a tough blow, especially considering that a healthy small business should aim to keep overhead costs below 35% of its total revenue. Go beyond that, and profitability starts to take a hit. Of course, every industry is different, but keeping expenses in check is always a smart move.

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How Australian Startups & SMEs Benefit from Offshore Hiring
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Remote staffing opens up a whole new way of running your business, giving you access to the talent you need behind the scenes so you can focus on real growth opportunities. 

Here’s what Australian small business owners are gaining from offshore hiring and why it might be the right move for you.
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Start small, scale fast

Small businesses often start with a lean team, and remote hiring makes it easier to keep overhead low while still bringing in top talent. This flexibility allows startups and SMEs to scale at their own pace, adding skilled professionals as needed without the high costs of local hires. Plus, with lower risks and the ability to pivot quickly, businesses can adapt and grow as needed.
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Keep fixed costs low

We’ve already touched on the costs of hiring local employees, and for a growing business, those expenses can quickly eat into your profit margins—slowing down your growth potential. With remote staffing, you can save up to 70% on labor costs while keeping overhead low, giving you the flexibility to invest where it matters most.
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Delegate non-core tasks

Routine and administrative tasks are perfect to delegate to your offshore team. They may not need constant supervision, but they’re essential for keeping your business running smoothly. 

With the right remote talent, you can hand these tasks off to skilled professionals, freeing up your leadership and strategic teams to focus on growth, innovation, and big-picture initiatives.
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Tap specialized skills

Competition for top talent is tougher than ever, so why limit yourself to a small local pool?
 

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Expand your search and tap into the top 2% of talent from countries like the Philippines. Need an SEO Lead? A Financial Analyst? A Customer Success Manager? Even with Australia’s labor shortage, you don’t have to worry. With remote staffing, you can cast a wider net, and with the right partner guiding you, you’ll always know exactly where to look.
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Compete with bigger businesses on a budget

It's not easy to compete with larger companies with bigger budgets, but startups and SMEs can still gain an edge. One way is through offshore hiring.

Hiring high-performing remote talent gives you the expertise and support needed to drive real results, all without a glaring price tag.

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Industries in Australia Benefiting the Most from Offshore Hiring

Seeing the benefits of hiring offshore, here are some of the top Australian sectors benefiting from this solution:
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eCommerce & retail

eCommerce has grown not just in Australia but all over the world. To stay competitive, here are roles that can help run your operations while reducing overhead:

• Customer Support Representatives: Provides 24/7 customer service via live chat, email, and phone, ensuring timely responses to inquiries and complaints
• Order Processing Specialists: Manages order fulfillment, inventory updates, tracking, and returns processing
• Digital Marketing Specialists: Runs paid ads, optimizes SEO, and executes social media and email marketing campaigns to drive sales
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Finance & accounting

Financial management is essential for every business, but hiring locally can be expensive. Remote finance experts provide the same quality service at a fraction of the cost.

These are some roles you can onboard to support your business growth:

• Virtual CFOs: Provides financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting to help businesses make strategic decisions
• Bookkeepers: Maintains accurate financial records, process invoices, and reconcile accounts
• Tax Accountants: Assists with tax preparation, compliance, and reporting to ensure businesses meet legal obligations
• Payroll Specialists: Handles employee salaries, deductions, and compliance with Australian payroll regulations
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IT & software development

With Australia's growing demand for tech talent, finding skilled IT professionals can be expensive and competitive. Hire these roles offshore to help:

• Web Developers:  Builds and maintains eCommerce sites, business websites, and custom platforms
• Cybersecurity Analysts:  Identifies security threats, implements protective measures, and ensures data privacy compliance
• IT Support Specialists:  Provides remote troubleshooting, system updates, and tech assistance for businesses and customers
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Healthcare support services

Remote medical teams can now help manage essential healthcare tasks efficiently, keeping your practice running smoothly.

Here are some roles that can ease your workload:

• Medical Transcriptionists: Converts physician dictations into accurate digital records
• Medical Billing & Coding Specialists:  Processes insurance claims, ensures correct coding, and manages billing systems
• Virtual Medical Assistants:  Handles appointment scheduling, patient inquiries, and follow-up reminders
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Marketing & creative services

Remote marketing professionals help businesses create, manage, and execute campaigns cost-effectively.

Here are some marketing and creative roles to boost your brand:

• Social Media Managers: Develops and executes social media strategies, engages with audiences, and monitors analytics
• Graphic Designers:  Creates logos, marketing materials, product packaging, and digital graphics
• Copywriters & Content Writers:  Crafts compelling website content, blog articles, ad copy, and email campaigns
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Make Offshore Hiring Work for Your Business

Find the right offshore hires to help your business grow! With a trusted remote staffing partner, make it easier to do so!

At MultiplyMii, we’ve spent over a decade helping businesses like yours connect with top-tier remote talent. We handle everything—from sourcing and vetting to onboarding and team management—so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.

Ready to start offshore hiring for your business? Consult with our team for FREE!