Offshore teams vs freelancers
Many Australian firms start with freelancers. Most graduate to dedicated teams once they understand the real risks — especially in regulated industries.
| Feature | Vault Team | Freelancers |
|---|---|---|
| Security & NDA | ISO 9001 & ISO 27001 + NDAs + background checks | Self-managed — variable |
| Reliability | Employment contract, SLAs | Project-based, can disappear |
| AFSL/ACL compliance | Compliance-grade process | Rarely financial compliance aware |
| HR & payroll | Fully managed | You manage — complex PH labour law |
| Talent quality | Screened, finance-trained | Highly variable |
| Coverage hours | AU business hours guaranteed | Negotiated individually |
| Scale | Add FTEs quickly | Start recruiting again each time |
| Cost | $1,800–$3,000/mo per FTE (all-in) | $800–$2,000/mo (+ your overhead) |
| Team culture | Your brand, your culture | Independent contractor mentality |
The hidden cost of freelancers in finance
Four risks that don't show up on the invoice.
Compliance exposure
Can you demonstrate to ASIC or APRA that your freelancer handles sensitive client data in a secure, auditable environment? An ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified team can — a freelancer working from a cafe cannot.
Continuity risk
Freelancers leave. When a loan processor disappears mid-pipeline, you pay the recovery cost — in time, re-training, and deal delays.
Management overhead
Managing 5 freelancers is effectively a part-time job. Vault handles HR, payroll, performance management, and facilities so you don't have to.
Quality variation
Freelancer quality on platforms like OnlineJobs.ph or Upwork varies enormously. Our recruitment team has screened thousands of candidates — we know what good finance talent looks like.
Ready to upgrade to a dedicated team?
Already have freelancers? We can help you transition to a more reliable, compliant model.