Questions?
We have answers.
The most complete FAQ on hiring Filipino staff and EOR for Australian businesses, covering compliance, cost, Fair Work, ATO, and how employer of record works.
About Employer of Record (EOR)
What is an Employer of Record?
An Employer of Record (EOR) is a company that legally employs workers on behalf of another business. The EOR (not the client business) is the legal employer on record with tax authorities, social security agencies, and employment regulators. The client business directs the day-to-day work. Team Up Now acts as the EOR for Australian businesses hiring Filipino professionals, employing staff under our own registered Philippine entity.
How is EOR different from a staffing agency?
A staffing agency finds you a candidate. An EOR legally employs them. With an EOR, the worker has a formal employment contract, statutory entitlements (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, 13th month pay), and full Labour Code compliance. A staffing agency places a contractor or freelancer — the employment relationship, if any, is unstructured and creates misclassification risk.
How is Team Up Now different from global EOR platforms like Deel or Remote?
Global EOR platforms like Deel operate through networks of third-party local entities across 150+ countries. Team Up Now operates its own Australian company (Team Up Now Pty Ltd, ACN 646 286 937) and its own registered Philippine entity. Your Filipino staff are employed directly under our Philippine registration — no intermediaries, no platform networks. You are also dealing with an Australian-owned, Australian-managed business that understands your compliance obligations specifically, not a generic global platform spreading risk across 150+ countries.
Do I need to set up a company in the Philippines to hire there?
No. Using an EOR eliminates the need to register a Philippine entity. Setting up a local company takes 3 to 6 months and typically costs $15,000 to $40,000 AUD in setup fees alone. Team Up Now's EOR lets you hire compliantly from day one.
Is EOR legal in the Philippines?
Yes. EOR is a fully legal and recognised employment structure in the Philippines. Team Up Now employs staff under the Labour Code of the Philippines through our own registered Philippine entity.
What does Team Up Now's EOR cover?
Philippine-law-compliant employment contracts, monthly payroll processing, BIR tax withholding and filings, SSS contributions, PhilHealth contributions, Pag-IBIG contributions, 13th month pay, service incentive leave, HMO health cover, and ongoing HR compliance support.
What is EOR in the Philippines?
EOR stands for Employer of Record. It is a legal employment structure where a registered company in the Philippines employs your team member on your behalf. The EOR handles payroll, statutory benefits (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG), tax withholding, employment contracts and local labour compliance. You direct the day-to-day work and manage the relationship, while the EOR takes care of everything on the employment and legal side. Team Up Now operates under this model so your offshore team is properly employed, fairly compensated and fully compliant from day one.
Cost and Pricing
How much does offshore staffing cost?
Costs vary depending on the role, experience level and scope of work. A dedicated full-time professional in the Philippines typically costs 50% to 70% less than an equivalent Australian hire when factoring in salary, benefits and overhead. Our pricing is transparent and flat. You pay a single monthly rate that covers the team member's above-market salary, benefits, HR support, compliance and our management layer. There are no hidden margins or surprise fees. We are happy to walk through specific pricing on a discovery call.
What statutory contributions does the employer pay in the Philippines?
As the employer of record, Team Up Now pays: SSS (Social Security System) employer contributions, PhilHealth employer contributions (2.5% of salary), Pag-IBIG employer contributions (2% capped at 200 PHP per month), and provisions for 13th month pay (one additional month's salary paid in December). These are mandatory under Philippine law.
How does the cost compare to hiring locally in Australia?
A dedicated Filipino professional under an EOR arrangement typically costs 50% to 70% less than an equivalent Australian hire when you factor in salary, statutory contributions, and our management fee. An equivalent local hire carries additional costs including superannuation, leave loading, and payroll tax. Use our EOR calculator to model your specific role.
Compliance and Legal
Is offshore hiring legal in Australia?
Yes. There is no Australian law that prevents businesses from engaging offshore workers. The key is structuring the arrangement properly. When you work with Team Up Now, your team members are employed through a registered Philippine entity under a compliant Employer of Record (EOR) model. This means you are not directly employing anyone overseas. You receive a single monthly invoice, and we handle all local employment obligations including tax, benefits and compliance on the Philippine side. Australian businesses of all sizes use this structure to scale responsibly.
Does the Fair Work Act apply to Filipino staff?
The Fair Work Commission has ruled in multiple cases that offshore workers can be considered employees under Australian law depending on how the working relationship is structured. An EOR arrangement — where Team Up Now is the legal employer, not your Australian business — eliminates this exposure. Your Filipino staff member is employed by our Philippine entity under Philippine law.
What are the ATO obligations when paying offshore workers?
Australian businesses paying foreign workers directly may have PAYG withholding obligations, permanent establishment risk, and transfer pricing obligations depending on the structure. Under Team Up Now's EOR arrangement, you pay a single monthly invoice to an Australian company (Team Up Now Pty Ltd) — a straightforward commercial payment with no direct offshore payment obligations.
Is offshore hiring ethical?
It depends entirely on how it is done. When offshore hiring is built on fair wages, proper employment structures, transparent contracts and genuine career development, it creates real opportunity for professionals in the Philippines. The problem arises when companies cut corners with below-market pay, no benefits and high-churn models that treat people as disposable. Team Up Now was founded specifically to counter that approach. Every team member we place is employed under a proper EOR structure, receives above-market compensation, gets statutory benefits and has access to ongoing support. Ethical outsourcing is not just possible. It is the standard we hold ourselves to.
What is contractor misclassification and why does it matter?
Contractor misclassification occurs when a worker who functions as an employee is paid as an independent contractor. In the Philippines, workers who work regular hours, take direction, and operate exclusively for one business are likely employees under the Labour Code — regardless of what the contract says. For Australian businesses, criminal wage theft laws (in effect since January 2025) mean misclassification carries serious legal risk. EOR eliminates this risk entirely.
How do I transition an existing Filipino contractor to an EOR arrangement?
The transition is straightforward and typically takes one to two weeks. Team Up Now prepares the employment contract, registers the worker with BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG, and sets up payroll under our Philippine entity. The worker's day-to-day role doesn't change — only the employment structure. Read our full transition guide.
What happens if I need to terminate an employee under EOR?
Team Up Now manages the termination process in compliance with the Philippine Labour Code, which is employee-protective and requires due process, documentation, and in some cases separation pay. We provide full HR and legal support throughout the process.
How do you protect sensitive data and privacy?
Every team member signs a confidentiality agreement before starting. We guide you on setting up secure access using practical tools like password managers so your data stays protected without overcomplicating things.
The Hiring Process
How long does it take to hire through Team Up Now's EOR?
If you already have a candidate, onboarding under our EOR takes one to two weeks. If you need us to recruit the candidate as well, the full process from brief to start date is typically three to five weeks depending on the role.
What roles can be hired through EOR?
Any role that can be performed remotely can be hired through our EOR structure. Common roles include bookkeepers, accountants, virtual assistants, customer support agents, digital marketers, graphic designers, social media managers, data entry operators, and operations administrators.
What roles can you help me hire for?
We specialise in high-quality remote talent, including executive assistants, social media managers, customer support, operations and admin, bookkeepers, and project coordinators. If you need a specific role, we can source it for you.
Can I choose the talent I work with?
Yes. After understanding your needs, we shortlist 2 to 3 suitable candidates. You meet them, and the final choice is yours.
How do you screen your talent?
We have a multi-step hiring process that includes skills assessments, culture-fit interviews, reference checks, and a final approval by our senior team. We only onboard talent who align with both your business needs and values.
Do my Filipino staff work exclusively for my business?
Yes. Every Team Up Now placement is a dedicated arrangement — your staff member works exclusively for your business, not across multiple clients. They are your team member, operating under your direction, inside your tools and systems.
What is Team Up Now's lifetime replacement guarantee?
If a placed team member doesn't work out for any reason, Team Up Now will replace them at no additional recruitment cost. This applies for the lifetime of your engagement with us — not just the first 90 days.
What happens if it's not a good fit?
We step in early. Our focus is on long-term alignment, so if things aren't working, we help resolve the issue quickly or arrange a replacement. We want the partnership to succeed just as much as you do.
Can I hire multiple staff through EOR?
Yes. Team Up Now manages EOR arrangements for businesses with one to fifty offshore staff. Each employee is individually employed under our Philippine entity with their own contract and payroll.
Can you scale with my business?
Yes. Whether you need one assistant or a growing remote team, we are built to grow alongside you.
Working with Team Up Now
What makes Team Up Now different from other outsourcing companies?
We are not a volume BPO. We build dedicated long-term placements and prioritise ownership, communication and retention. If you want cheap, high-churn outsourcing, we are not the right fit.
What do you mean by ethical outsourcing?
Fair pay, clear expectations, proper employment support and long-term placements. Stability for the team means stability for clients.
How do you ensure quality?
We focus on strong communication, initiative, and relevant experience. After placement, we stay involved with regular check-ins and feedback to make sure the partnership actually works.
Do you handle payroll?
Yes. You receive one simple monthly invoice. We handle their salary, benefits, and local compliance behind the scenes.
How do I share feedback?
We have a built-in monthly feedback form and optional quarterly review calls. You can also reach out anytime via email or your client success lead.
Do I need to provide equipment or software?
Typically, team members use their own equipment, but if your workflow requires access to specific tools or systems, we help facilitate secure setup and onboarding.
What's your pricing model?
We operate on a transparent, flat monthly rate depending on the role and complexity. There are no hidden fees, and we make sure our team members are paid well above market average in their local economies.
Managing Offshore Staff
How do I manage day-to-day work with a Filipino team member?
You direct the work exactly as you would with any remote employee — through your existing tools, communication platforms, and processes. Team Up Now handles the employment framework; you manage the output and day-to-day responsibilities.
What is the time zone overlap between Australia and the Philippines?
The Philippines is in PHT (UTC+8). Sydney (AEST) is UTC+10 or UTC+11 during daylight saving. The overlap is two to three hours in the standard working day. Many Filipino professionals work adjusted hours to maximise Australian business hours overlap. See our full timezone guide.
Do Filipino professionals speak English?
English is an official language of the Philippines and is used in government, education, and business. Filipino professionals write, speak, and think in English natively across virtually every professional context. There is no language barrier for Australian businesses.
What equipment does my Filipino team member use?
Filipino professionals typically work from their own home office setup. Team Up Now can advise on equipment standards and stipends if you want to provide or subsidise equipment as part of the employment package.
For Filipino Professionals
What kind of clients will I be working with?
We work with values-driven entrepreneurs and companies mostly from Australia who respect talent and want long-term working relationships.
How does TUN support me?
You'll have a dedicated support contact within Team Up Now. We offer onboarding help and monthly check-ins. You'll get paid fairly and on time, always.
What if I have a problem with a client?
You're never alone. We encourage open communication and also collect feedback from you regularly to catch issues early and resolve them quickly.
How do I give feedback?
We send out monthly feedback forms so you can share how the client relationship is going, what's working, and what's not. We also hold optional check-ins and quarterly reviews.
Are the roles full-time or part-time?
Most of our clients prefer full-time partnerships, but we also offer flexible, project-based, or part-time roles depending on your availability and expertise.
What are the benefits of working with Team Up Now?
Benefits include above-market pay, paid holidays and a 13th month bonus where applicable, long-term roles with good clients, and transparent, ethical communication.
How does the application process work?
Once your application is received, our hiring team will review it. If you meet the qualifications, you'll receive a calendar invite for an initial interview with our team. If you pass, we'll begin matching you with a client for an interview. If selected, you'll move forward with onboarding. If not, we'll keep you in mind for other opportunities. We prioritise respectful, two-way matches.
What does the feedback system look like?
Monthly forms let you anonymously or directly share how the role is going. We track patterns and step in if red flags or misalignments show up. We also collect client feedback and share it constructively to help you grow.
Do you offer training or mentorship?
We're building toward it. For now, we offer onboarding support, best practices guides, and community check-ins. We're working on adding upskilling resources soon.
How do I know if a client is respectful?
That's our job. We vet every client and only work with people who value and respect remote talent. If something feels off, you're encouraged to speak up. We've got your back.
What happens if I want to take a break or reduce my hours?
Just let us know in advance. We encourage healthy work boundaries and can help coordinate with the client if changes are needed.
Can I work with more than one client?
In most cases, our placements are full-time and exclusive, but if the role is part-time or project-based, we'll clarify the terms and flexibility upfront.
Ready to hire compliantly?
Book a 30-minute call and we'll walk you through the EOR arrangement, costs, and how to get started.