Workers are the heart of any business. After all, it would be difficult to produce outputs when no one will be working on them. Unfortunately for Australia, many of its industries now have to face this challenge as they are facing worsening shortages. The absence of skilled workers is not only hindering productivity but also affecting the quality of services delivered.
Understanding Australia’s Workforce Shortage
The Australian labour market remains tight, with historically low unemployment rates and a high number of job vacancies. As companies struggle to operate at full capacity, it begs the question, where are the workers?
· Aging Workforce
A substantial portion of Australia’s workforce is nearing retirement, and the country is facing a gap in skilled workers to replace them. This demographic shift is not unique to Australia but is particularly pronounced due to the country’s high life expectancy and low birth rates.
Despite vocational training and early university entry programs, 77% of young Australians still need to retrain for new jobs. As experienced workers retire, they take with them valuable skills and knowledge, which are difficult to replace quickly.
· Decline in Migrant Workers
The COVID-19 global pandemic has had a serious impact on Australia’s labour market, particularly concerning migrant workers. Border closures led to a significant reduction in the influx of temporary visa holders, many of whom left the country during this period.
In the post-pandemic world, the cost of living has also shot up. Instead of migrating to Australia, skilled workers are choosing to live in countries with lower costs of living. This has exacerbated labour shortages, especially in industries reliant on seasonal and casual workers, such as agriculture and hospitality.
· Rapid Economic Recovery and Job Boom
Following the pandemic, Australia experienced a robust economic recovery and job boom. This rapid growth led to a tight labour market with low unemployment rates and a high number of job vacancies. To date, there are 344,000 job vacancies all over the country.
While this recovery is a positive economic indicator, it also highlights the challenge of meeting labour demands in a market where workers are scarce. In response to these concerns, Australian firms are turning to virtual staff as a viable solution. Virtual staff, or remote workers, offer flexibility and access to a global talent pool.
The Benefits of Virtual Staff in Overcoming Workforce Shortage
Most job-hiring websites offer virtual assistant services with talents from different nations. Among them, the Philippines is the top destination for VAs due to their exceptional English skills and professionalism in the field.
● Cost-Effective Workforce Solution
Hiring local employees in Australia can be expensive due to high wages, mandatory benefits, and operational overheads. In contrast, Filipino professionals offer high-quality services at a fraction of the cost. Companies can reinvest these savings into business expansion, technological upgrades, and employee development.
● Highly Skilled and Educated Talent Pool
Filipino VAs are known to be highly educated and skilled professionals. Many of them have graduated from the country’s top universities and specialise in marketing, IT, finance, and more.
A Filipino virtual assistant possesses degrees and certifications that make them well-equipped to handle specialised tasks. From software development and financial analysis to legal assistance and digital marketing, Filipino VAs are at the top of their game.
Moreover, the Philippines strongly emphasises English education. This ensures excellent communication skills, a staple for remote teams.
● 24/7 Support and Increased Productivity
With Australia and the Philippines sharing similar time zones, Filipino virtual staff can provide real-time support, ensuring smooth business operations. This geographical advantage allows businesses to seamlessly integrate virtual employees into their workflow without significant adjustments to working hours.
Additionally, businesses requiring 24/7 services, such as customer support and IT management, can benefit from Filipino workers’ willingness to work flexible hours to improve. Many outsourcing agencies in the Philippines operate on a round-the-clock basis, so Australian firms can offer continuous business support services.
● Strong Work Ethic and Cultural Compatibility
Filipino workers are known for their strong work ethic, adaptability, and professionalism. The culture of “malasakit,” or solicitude, drives Filipino professionals to be dedicated to their employers, often going above and beyond for customer satisfaction and business success.
● Scalability and Business Growth
For Australian businesses that are short on staff but are looking to scale, hiring Filipino virtual staff provides a flexible and scalable solution. Companies can quickly onboard skilled professionals without the lengthy hiring processes and legal complexities associated with local recruitment.
These firms can also adjust staffing levels based on seasonal demand. Outsourcing companies can help them hire a virtual assistant based on their needs so that they have the right level of support during peak periods without overstaffing during slower months.
Hire Filipino Virtual Staff with Outshore
The best way to combat a workforce shortage crisis is to look beyond. Businesses that invest in Filipino virtual staff can gain access to a talented workforce while strengthening their long-term business resilience and growth.
Streamline your business with top-tier Filipino virtual assistants from Outshore. We handle the rigorous vetting process, so you get skilled professionals who excel in administrative support, customer service, and more—without the hassle of handling recruitment all by yourself.
Contact Outshore today to start working with virtual staff and scale up your operations.