Do I Need a Local Entity to Hire in Fiji?

In Fiji, a "local entity" typically refers to a recognized employing presence, such as a subsidiary or branch office, that can act as the employer. This setup allows you (or a provider acting on your behalf) to be recognized locally and fulfill payroll and employment obligations.

Without a local employing setup, you generally cannot do the following compliantly: register as an employer, manage mandatory tax processes, run local payroll with required contributions, and issue compliant employment terms while adhering to local employment protections. Fiji's Employment Relations Act outlines employer responsibilities, including payroll and social security contributions, which are essential to being an employer in Fiji.

What is Required to Employ Someone in Fiji?

• Local employing entity required to directly employ? Yes (you need a local entity for direct employment)
• Payroll registration required? Yes (employer registration with the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service)
• Withholding/tax remittance required? Yes (mandatory payroll tax remittance applies)
• Social contributions required? Yes (employer must contribute to the Fiji National Provident Fund)
• Local employment agreement required? Yes (written agreements are standard practice)
• Mandatory benefits to budget? Yes (statutory leave, social security, and other entitlements)
• Works council/collective agreements considerations? Usually (some sectors may have applicable collective agreements)

Best Options If You're Hiring in Fiji

Can I Hire Contractors Instead of Setting Up an Entity?

Yes, but you should be cautious about the nature of the relationship.

While hiring contractors in Fiji doesn't require a local entity, it's crucial to ensure that the contractor is genuinely independent. Fiji has strong labor protections, and misclassifying a contractor as an independent worker can lead to legal issues. Consider the following:

• Ensure the contractor has multiple clients and is not solely dependent on your business.
• Avoid controlling their work hours or methods closely.
• Keep the contractor's role clearly defined as project-based and not integral to your business operations.

How Long Does Entity Setup Take And What Does It Cost?

Typical entity setup timeline: It often takes 4–8 weeks to set up an entity in Fiji, depending on the required registrations.

Ongoing cost categories (entity route):

• Accounting, bookkeeping, and statutory filings: Estimated FJD 1,500–3,500 per month ($650–$1,500)
• Payroll provider: Estimated FJD 200–600 per employee per month ($85–$250)
• Employer registrations and recurring compliance: Varies by complexity
• Corporate tax filings and annual reporting: Estimated FJD 2,000–5,000 per year ($850–$2,100)

EOR cost components (no-entity route):

• A per-employee EOR service fee (from $399 per month with Playroll)
• Pass-through statutory costs (e.g., employer social security contributions)
• Any optional benefits you choose to provide beyond statutory minimums

How an Employer of Record Can Help You Hire in Fiji

Hiring in Fiji can be complex, but it doesn’t have to require setting up a local entity or taking on long-term overhead. With an Employer of Record like Playroll, you get a simple, predictable way to hire compliantly while keeping costs transparent and under control. We help you:

• Hire employees in Fiji quickly without establishing a local entity, eliminating incorporation costs and ongoing administration.
• Stay fully compliant with local payroll, tax, and employment regulations with Playroll’s managed payroll services.
• Control your total employment costs, with a clear monthly EOR service fee (from $399 per employee).
• Focus on growing your business while we manage contracts, payroll, compliance, and labor law obligations end to end.
• Scale up or exit the market easily, without the financial or legal burden of closing a local entity.