Philippines Virtual Assistant Cost for Australian Businesses

An Australian business should budget from A$1,500 per month for a managed part-time Philippines VA working around 20 hours a week. Managed full-time placements cost A$2,000 to A$3,000 per month. A sound budget also checks benefits, payroll, provider fees, tools and the management time behind the hire.

What belongs in a Philippines VA budget?

A salary figure answers one part of the question. The real monthly cost depends on how the person is engaged and who carries the work around them.

Cost	What to check
Pay	Role, seniority, hours, currency and review timing
Employment costs	13th-month pay, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and payroll where employment applies
Provider fee	Recruitment, local entity, HR, setup, management, QA and replacement terms
Tools and hardware	Software licences, security tools, device and connectivity
Your time	Briefing, feedback, approvals and leadership

What do managed Philippines VA placements cost?

Scale Up Staff's managed placements start from A$1,500 per month for around 20 hours a week. Full-time placements of around 40 hours a week cost A$2,000 to A$3,000 per month. Client-specific tools are extra, the initial commitment is three months, and pricing changes with the talent profile.

That structure covers recruitment, compliant employment through our Philippines entity, setup before day one, and senior onshore help with briefing and quality control. The 60-day replacement guarantee applies when the placement doesn't meet the agreed standards.

Why can direct-hire quotes look much lower?

Direct quotes often show the person's pay. They may leave out recruitment time, worker classification, payroll, statutory costs, hardware, cyber controls, onboarding and the person who checks the work. That doesn't make direct hiring wrong. It means the business needs the capability to carry those jobs.

If you're comparing the Philippines with an Australian hire, use the complete annual cost on both sides. Our existing Philippines versus Australia staffing cost guide covers that comparison in detail.

How does the engagement structure affect cost?

A genuine contractor runs an independent business and usually works with more freedom over method, tools and schedule. An employee works inside your operating model with greater control and integration. EOR and COR services formalise the appropriate local structure, but the facts of the relationship still matter.

Use our offshore worker classification self-check as a starting point, then get advice for your circumstances. Scale Up Staff guides clients on classification and local obligations without claiming to remove the client's own privacy and data responsibilities.

What budget mistakes should you avoid?

Comparing a salary-only figure with an all-in managed fee.
Choosing one generalist to cover several unrelated specialist roles.
Leaving tools, equipment and security out of the first-year budget.
Ignoring the founder hours needed to brief and check the work.
Treating a fixed exchange rate as permanent.

Frequently asked questions

How much should an Australian business budget for a Philippines virtual assistant?

Scale Up Staff's managed placements start from A$1,500 per month for around 20 hours a week and run from A$2,000 to A$3,000 per month for around 40 hours a week. Tools are extra and the exact figure depends on the role and talent profile.

Does a Philippines VA quote include 13th-month pay and benefits?

That depends on the hiring model. Ask whether salary, 13th-month pay, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, payroll, provider fees and tools are included. Scale Up Staff's managed placement price includes compliant employment, while client-specific tools sit outside it.

Can I hire a Philippines VA directly?

Yes, but the working relationship determines whether contractor treatment is appropriate. Direct hiring also leaves vetting, payroll, local obligations, data controls and day-to-day management with your business.

How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost in the Philippines for an Australian Business?