Remote work in Australia faces global competition
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — Remote workers in Australia may see increased competition from overseas talent, according to Iqbal Singh, founder of Indian consultancy Innovative Consultants.
In an interview with News.com.au, Singh said amidst resistance to return-to-office mandates, Australian companies are exploring outsourcing roles to India’s skilled English-speaking workforce at 10-15% of the cost.
This follows a Herbert Smith Freehills survey revealing 70% of Australian companies expect more in-person work within two years, and 45% plan to differentiate pay between remote and office staff.
Singh anticipates growing collaboration between Australian businesses and India across sectors like finance and healthcare to access the lower-cost talent pool.
However, previous cases of fraud and data breaches highlight the risks of offshoring.
Major tech companies like Atlassian, Nvidia, and Zapier continue backing remote work despite the concerns. But Singh’s comments signal remote Australian workers can’t assume job security with global competition eyeing their roles.
While offshoring may offer cost savings, quality, and data security need safeguarding. With proper precautions, Australian companies can ethically access global talent without compromising local jobs.
But for remote staff, Singh’s warning is a reminder that overseas competition threatens job security, and companies should communicate changes clearly and support affected staff.
