Top 5 Roles Australians Are Hiring in the Philippines Right Now

The Philippines Has a Role for Almost Every Business Function

When Australian businesses first consider hiring in the Philippines, the most common question isn’t “can I?” — it’s “who should I hire first?” The answer depends on your business, but there are five roles that consistently deliver the fastest return on investment for Australian companies. Here’s what each role looks like, what it costs, and what to look for when hiring.

1. Software Developers

Software development is the most in-demand role Australian companies hire for in the Philippines — and for good reason. The country produces tens of thousands of IT graduates every year, and a significant portion of them go on to work in internationally-facing tech roles from day one.

Philippine developers are proficient across the full modern stack: React, Node.js, Python, PHP, Java, mobile (iOS/Android), and cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Azure). Many have worked in agile teams with US or Australian clients and are familiar with tools like Jira, GitHub, and Figma.

What to screen for: A live coding test, GitHub portfolio review, and a short technical interview in English. Communication skills are as important as technical ability — you want someone who can flag blockers early and collaborate asynchronously.

Important: Don’t hire developers as freelancers if they’re working exclusively for your business. This is misclassification under Philippine law and creates significant legal risk. Use an EOR to keep it compliant.

2. Customer Support Specialists

The Philippines is the customer support capital of the world. The BPO industry has trained a generation of professionals in omnichannel service delivery — phone, email, live chat, and social media — to international standards.

What makes Philippine customer support professionals stand out for Australian businesses is their near-native English, their patience under pressure, and their familiarity with Western customer expectations. Many have handled Australian, UK, and US accounts and understand the cultural nuances that matter in customer-facing roles.

What to screen for: A written English test, a mock customer scenario, and a voice sample if the role involves phone support. Ask about their experience with your support platform (Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom).

3. Accountants and Bookkeepers

Accounting is one of the most practical and immediately cost-saving roles to hire in the Philippines. CPAs (Certified Public Accountants) are common, and many Philippine accounting professionals have worked directly on Australian books — familiar with Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks, and the nuances of GST and BAS reporting.

Australian businesses typically use Philippine accountants for accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliations, payroll processing, month-end reporting, and management accounts. The time zone overlap means end-of-day work in Australia can be processed overnight and ready for review the next morning.

What to screen for: Xero or MYOB certification, a practical reconciliation exercise, and experience with Australian tax reporting. Ask specifically about BAS lodgement and superannuation processing if relevant.

4. Digital Marketers and SEO Specialists

Digital marketing is a growth area in Philippine hiring, and the quality of candidates has risen sharply over the past five years. From Google Ads and Meta advertising to SEO, content marketing, and email automation, Philippine digital marketers are skilled, current, and often certified in the tools they use.

Because English is the medium of instruction and professional communication in the Philippines, content produced by Philippine marketers typically requires minimal editing. Many Australian businesses have their entire content and digital marketing function run from the Philippines.

What to screen for: Google Ads or Meta Blueprint certifications, a portfolio of campaigns with reported ROAS or CPA results, and a writing sample in Australian English.

5. Virtual Assistants and Back Office Support

The VA role is the entry point for many Australian businesses hiring offshore — and often becomes the most underrated hire they make. A skilled Philippine VA isn’t just a task executor; they become a business partner who manages your calendar, owns your inbox, coordinates between teams, and frees up hours of your week.

Back office support includes data entry, CRM management, research, report preparation, travel coordination, and project tracking. These roles are highly cost-effective and can be filled quickly.

What to screen for: Communication style (how they write emails, how they ask clarifying questions), tech stack familiarity (Google Workspace, Notion, Slack, Asana), and a short task simulation to test initiative.

Hire the Right Way: Use EOR, Not Freelance Contracts

Across all five roles, one rule applies: if the person works exclusively for your business on an ongoing basis, they should be employed — not engaged as a freelancer. Philippine labour law takes a dim view of misclassification, and the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) actively audits arrangements that look like disguised employment.

An Employer of Record handles the legal employment structure, payroll, and compliance — so you get all the benefits of a dedicated team member without the risk of getting it wrong.

Ready to Hire Your First Philippine Employee?

Whether you’re hiring a developer, an accountant, or a VA, our local EOR team can have your new hire onboarded and compliant within days. We handle the paperwork — you focus on the work.

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