Sydney Agency Saves $55K+ with Executive Assistant

Running an Accounting & IT recruitment firm with fewer than five people means every keyboard stroke has to count. But admin tasks were taking over the schedule: sourcing candidates, updating the database, scheduling interviews, ordering supplies, and more. Bringing on a local Executive Assistant sounded perfect until the quotes landed at ≈ AUD $90k per year, right in line with Sydney’s six-figure market average.

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The Cost-Savings for an Offshore EA

Option Annual Cost (AUD) Difference

Local Sydney Executive Assistant

~$90,000

—

Offshore Executive Assistant (Ethiopia)
$33,360 (=$2,780 × 12)

>$55,000 saved
Hiring An Executive Assistant


By tapping global talent, the firm saves 61% of a traditional EA budget in its pocket that can be put toward growth.


How Ataraxis Ran the Selection Process

Ataraxis takes talent matching seriously, applying a multi-step vetting process to ensure only the best candidates move forward.

Weekly Screening of 100+ Candidates

  • Evaluate verbal and written communication skills.
  • Test English fluency to ensure smooth collaboration.
  • Confirm remote-readiness: reliable internet, proper equipment, strong attention to detail, and ability to follow instructions accurately.

Take-Home Assignment Filter

  • Provide each candidate with a practical task related to the role.
  • Weed out about half of applicants who either don’t complete the assignment or fail to meet quality standards.

Culture-Fit Interview

  • Assess alignment with company values and work style.
  • Ensure each candidate can collaborate effectively with a small, fast-paced team.

2–3% Acceptance Rate

  • After screening, assignment, and interview, only 2 to 3 candidates out of every 100 advance to placement.
  • This rigorous process guarantees that only top performers move forward.

Ongoing Accountability Monitoring

  • Use back-end software to track productivity and task completion.
  • Ensure each hire stays engaged, meets performance metrics, and delivers consistent results.


Meet the Remote Game-Changer

Our hire: an Ethiopia-based remote Executive Assistant with 5+ years of enterprise-level EA work. In just a couple of months, she’s already proven herself, seamlessly supporting three executives by managing schedules, handling key administrative tasks, and keeping workflows running smoothly.


Why Offshore Works for Admin-Heavy Boutiques

  • Time-zone leverage – Our East Africa–based Executive Assistant works Sydney business hours, handling critical tasks in real time
  • Talent density – East Africa is one of the emerging hubs for outsourced talent, producing experienced EAs eager for cross-border roles. By tapping this pool, you gain top-tier skills at competitive rates.
  • Scalable support – One offshore Executive Assistant can seamlessly cover three leaders, and adding another remains cost-effective compared with hiring locally. This budget-neutral expansion lets you scale administrative support as your boutique grows.


The Bottom Line

For small firms swamped by admin tasks, hiring an offshore or remote Executive Assistant is a smart move. Our vetting process and global pay rates gave this Sydney agency a skilled professional, freed up executive hours each week, and saved over AUD 55 k annually.

Ready to trade paperwork for pipeline? Your next high-impact EA might already be online, just not in your postcode.

Discover how an offshore Executive Assistant can transform your operations.
Contact Ataraxis today to get started.