What is an Employer of Record?

An Employer of Record allows an Australian business to employ people in the Philippines without establishing its own Philippine entity.

SOS becomes the local employer and manages the employment administration. Your business continues to manage the employee’s daily responsibilities, work priorities, training and performance.

An EOR can be useful for firms hiring:

• Paraplanners
• Client service officers
• Mortgage processing assistants
• SMSF administrators
• Bookkeeping and accounting support staff
• Finance assistants
• Compliance administration staff
• Back-office operations teams

If you are planning your first hire, see our guide to hiring employees in the Philippines without setting up a company.

Why Australian financial services firms use SOS

Australian firms often need more than access to offshore talent. They also need a clear employment structure, reliable payroll, local HR support and proper documentation.

SOS helps businesses:

• Hire employees in the Philippines without establishing a local entity
• Build dedicated finance, administration and client-service teams
• Manage local employment contracts and payroll
• Administer statutory requirements
• Keep day-to-day control of the employee’s work
• Maintain clearer records for internal review and provider oversight
• Move suitable contractors into formal employment
• Receive support from a real team throughout the employment process

For a provider comparison, see the best EOR options for Australian financial services companies hiring in the Philippines.

What is included in the SOS EOR service?

SOS manages the local employment administration for your Philippines-based employees.

Service or cost	How it is treated
SOS EOR management fee	US$190 per employee per month
Recruitment and candidate selection	Included
Employment contracts	Managed by SOS
Employee onboarding	Included, with no separate onboarding fee
Payroll and payslips	Managed by SOS
Statutory administration	Managed by SOS
HR and employment records	Managed by SOS
HMO or benefit enrolment	Supported where applicable
Provider termination or exit fee	None
FX markup	None

See EOR pricing in the Philippines for the full pricing structure.

What is billed separately?

The US$190 fee covers the SOS EOR service. Costs directly related to the employee are separate where applicable, including:

• Employee salary
• Employer statutory contributions
• 13th-month pay
• HMO or other benefits
• Allowances
• Equipment
• Other approved employee-specific costs

These costs are listed separately. There are no hidden SOS provider charges or unexplained FX markups.

For a more detailed cost model, see the EOR cost breakdown.

How the process works

1. Confirm the role

We discuss the position, required experience, salary, working hours, benefits and equipment.

2. Recruit and select candidates

SOS supports recruitment and candidate selection. Recruitment is included in the EOR management fee.

3. Prepare employment documents

SOS prepares the local employment documentation and supports the employee through onboarding.

4. Manage payroll and HR administration

We manage payroll, payslips, statutory administration, employment records and local HR support.

5. Continue managing the employee

Your team manages the employee’s daily work and performance. SOS continues to support the local employment requirements.

What your business manages

An EOR manages the local employment structure. Your business remains responsible for the employee’s work and your own Australian obligations.

Your business manages	SOS manages
Daily work and priorities	Local employment
Training and supervision	Employment contracts
Performance management	Payroll and payslips
System access	Statutory administration
Client confidentiality	HR records and support
Internal controls and approvals	Local employment compliance

An EOR does not transfer your Australian regulatory responsibilities. Your firm remains responsible for supervision, data access, client confidentiality, internal controls and provider oversight.

Read our data security and employment compliance guide for Australian finance teams and our guide to CPS 230 and offshore teams in the Philippines.

When should you use an EOR?

An EOR may be suitable if your business wants to:

• Hire one or more employees in the Philippines
• Build a dedicated offshore support team
• Employ staff without opening a Philippine entity
• Move an existing contractor into formal employment
• Keep control of the employee’s daily work
• Work with a provider focused on Philippine employment administration
• Replace or move away from a global EOR platform

Before selecting a provider, use the Australian financial services EOR vendor scorecard.

If you are reviewing contractor arrangements, read our guide to converting contractors to employees in the Philippines.

If you already use another EOR, see how to switch EOR providers without disrupting your team.