Hiring locally feels like the safer, simpler choice. But in 2024, 48% of companies are actively hiring internationally instead, and for good reason. Offshoring gives businesses access to equally qualified candidates, significant cost savings, and a positive impact on global communities. Here is why more companies are looking beyond their own backyard when building their teams.

Is Hiring Locally Still the Best Option for Your Business?

For many companies, posting a job on Seek or Indeed and sifting through local resumes is the default approach. It is familiar and straightforward. But familiarity does not always mean best value.

As of 2024, nearly half of all companies now look to hire internationally rather than locally. These businesses are discovering that broadening their search leads to equally qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds, better cost solutions, and a range of benefits that extend well beyond the hire itself.

Three Reasons to Hire Globally Instead of Locally

1. You Can Save Up to 60% on Hiring Costs

This is the most immediate and measurable advantage of offshoring. The numbers speak for themselves.

The average annual salary for a data engineer in Australia is around 208,500 AUD, not including recruitment and onboarding costs. Hiring a data engineer with the same qualifications and experience from the Philippines costs approximately 108,072 AUD, with all recruitment, onboarding, and management fees included.

That is a saving of more than half your costs, with no compromise on quality. On top of that, an offshore hire through Sharesource comes with an external support team including HR, a Client Success Manager, and IT support, all available around the clock to support both you and your new team member.

2. You Gain New Skills, Perspectives, and Work Ethic

Countries like Vietnam and the Philippines have workforces renowned for their dedication, talent, and strong professional work ethic. The working culture in these countries produces professionals who consistently meet deadlines, take ownership of their roles, and commit deeply to both their work and the broader company mission.

After more than ten years of matching candidates with meaningful roles across Vietnam and the Philippines, Sharesource has seen firsthand the ability of these professionals to adapt to new work environments, integrate into existing teams, and deliver quality outcomes from day one. It is partly this capability that has made them so highly sought after by businesses worldwide.

A global hire does not just fill a gap in your team. It adds a new perspective, a new culture, and a new level of commitment that strengthens the whole team.

3. You Create Real Impact for People in Developing Countries

Offshoring done ethically is about more than cost savings and talent access. It is about providing meaningful work to qualified, talented people who might not otherwise have access to equivalent opportunities in their own countries.

At Sharesource, ethical offshoring is a core principle, not an afterthought. All offshore team members are paid above minimum wage, receive strong employee benefits, and are given challenging, meaningful work that supports their professional growth. By choosing to hire globally through an ethical provider, your business becomes part of a wider effort to democratise opportunity for smart, creative people regardless of where they were born.

Is Offshoring Right for Your Business?

If your business is looking to scale efficiently, reduce hiring costs without sacrificing quality, and build a team with diverse perspectives and a strong work ethic, offshoring is worth exploring seriously.

While some companies will always default to local hiring, the businesses choosing to look further afield are accessing talent, savings, and impact that simply are not available in their own backyard.

Your next great team member might be an ocean away. Sharesource can help you find them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring Globally vs Locally

Why do companies choose to hire internationally instead of locally?Companies hire internationally to access a larger and more diverse talent pool, reduce hiring costs significantly, and bring new skills and perspectives into their teams. As of 2024, 48% of companies actively look to hire internationally rather than limiting their search to local candidates.

How much can you save by hiring offshore instead of locally?Cost savings vary by role and location but can be substantial. A data engineer in Australia costs around 208,500 AUD annually. The same role filled from the Philippines costs approximately 108,072 AUD including all recruitment, onboarding, and management fees. That represents a saving of more than 60% with no reduction in qualifications or experience.

Is the quality of offshore candidates as good as local candidates?Yes. Countries like Vietnam and the Philippines produce highly educated, technically skilled professionals who are sought after by businesses worldwide. The key is working with a provider who knows how to identify, vet, and support the right candidates for your specific needs.

What support do you get when hiring offshore through Sharesource?When you hire through Sharesource, your new team member comes with an external support structure including HR, a dedicated Client Success Manager, and IT support. This team is available around the clock to support both you and your offshore hire, making the transition and ongoing management straightforward.

How does offshoring create a positive social impact?Ethical offshoring provides meaningful, well-paid work to talented professionals in developing countries who may not otherwise have access to equivalent opportunities. Sharesource ensures all offshore team members are paid above minimum wage, receive good employee benefits, and are given work that supports their long-term professional growth.

Sharesource has spent more than ten years connecting Australian businesses with exceptional remote tech talent in Vietnam and the Philippines. Get in touch to find out how we can help you build your team.

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