How to Find Companies That Hire Remote Workers Directly

Finding a remote job in Australia can be frustrating, particularly when popular job advertisements attract hundreds of applicants.

You might spend hours searching SEEK, Indeed or LinkedIn, only to discover that many listings are repeated across platforms, require office attendance or have already stopped accepting applications.

However, there's another way to search for remote work: find the companies hiring directly, rather than relying entirely on traditional job boards.

Many employers advertise vacancies through their own careers websites. These listings may be hosted on the company's website or through recruitment software such as Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby and Workday.

By researching employers directly, you can discover opportunities across technology, customer service, administration, sales, marketing, finance and other industries.

You can also check the original job description, confirm whether the employer accepts Australian applicants and apply through its official recruitment process.

This approach doesn't guarantee that you'll face less competition or receive an interview. Some company vacancies are also advertised widely across job boards.

But it gives you another way to discover employers, verify opportunities and organise a more targeted job search.

In this guide, we'll explain how to find companies hiring remote workers directly, where to look for employer career pages, how to use Google to uncover vacancies and how to apply effectively.

Why Search for Remote Jobs Directly on Company Websites?

Traditional job boards can be useful for discovering opportunities, but they don't always provide the complete picture.

An employer might publish a vacancy through its own recruitment system and then advertise it through several external platforms.

Other employers primarily use their own careers pages, employee referrals or specialist recruitment channels.

This means that searching only one or two major job boards can limit the companies you discover.

Researching employers directly also allows you to investigate their working arrangements.

For example, a job board might label a position as remote, while the original employer description explains that employees must attend an office twice per month.

Another advertisement might be classified as remote but restrict applicants to particular countries or time zones.

By visiting the original vacancy, you can check these details before spending time preparing an application.

Perhaps most importantly, direct employer research helps you identify businesses that genuinely interest you.

Instead of applying indiscriminately to every remote position, you can focus on companies whose products, industries and working cultures match your experience.

1. Start With Companies, Not Job Titles

Most job seekers begin by entering a job title into a search engine or recruitment platform.

For example, someone looking for customer service work might search for "remote customer service jobs Australia".

This can produce relevant results, but it doesn't necessarily reveal every employer worth researching.

An alternative is to identify companies that regularly employ people in your profession.

If you're interested in remote customer support, consider software businesses, insurance providers, telecommunications companies and outsourced customer experience organisations.

If you work in accounting, research accounting software providers, payroll companies, professional services firms and businesses with distributed finance teams.

For remote sales careers, look at software companies, financial technology businesses and organisations selling products or services to other businesses.

The advantage of this approach is that it creates a list of employers you can revisit.

Even when a company doesn't currently have a suitable vacancy, it may become relevant later.

2. Find the Company's Official Careers Page

Once you've identified a potential employer, visit its official website.

Many businesses include a Careers, Jobs, Join Us or Work With Us link in their navigation or website footer.

If the careers page isn't immediately visible, search Google for the company name followed by the word "careers".

For example, searching "Atlassian careers" should help you locate the company's official recruitment website.

Some employers use addresses ending in /careers or /jobs, while others use separate recruitment websites.

It's also common for businesses to redirect applicants to a third-party applicant tracking system.

This doesn't necessarily mean the vacancy is being advertised by a recruitment agency.

The company may simply use external software to manage its own hiring process.

Before applying, confirm that the careers page is linked from the employer's official website.

3. Use Google to Find Remote Jobs on Employer Websites

Google can be particularly useful for discovering employer-published vacancies.

Rather than searching only for general phrases, you can use search operators to narrow the results.

One of the most useful is the site: operator.

It allows you to search within a particular website or domain.

For example:

site:atlassian.com/company/careers remote Australia

This searches for relevant pages within Atlassian's careers website.

You can also use quotation marks to search for exact phrases.

For example:

"remote" "Australia" "customer success" careers

This can help identify employer pages mentioning a particular profession and working arrangement.

Another approach is to combine industry terms with recruitment language.

For example:

"remote" "Australia" "payroll" "apply"

Or:

"work from anywhere in Australia" careers

These searches can uncover employer websites that you might not otherwise discover through a conventional job board.

However, Google search results aren't always comprehensive or current.

A vacancy might not be indexed, and an old listing may remain visible after applications have closed.

Always open the original employer page to verify that the position is still available.

4. Search Greenhouse Job Boards Directly

Greenhouse is an applicant tracking system used by many businesses to publish vacancies and manage applications.

Employers using Greenhouse may host their listings on a domain such as job-boards.greenhouse.io.

These are often official employer recruitment pages, even though the website address doesn't match the company's main domain.

You can search Greenhouse-hosted vacancies through Google.

For example:

site:job-boards.greenhouse.io "remote" "Australia"

For a particular profession:

site:job-boards.greenhouse.io "customer success" "Australia"

Or:

site:job-boards.greenhouse.io "software engineer" "remote"

This approach can help you discover companies advertising positions through Greenhouse.

However, a search result containing the word "Australia" doesn't necessarily mean the employer accepts Australian applicants.

The country might appear elsewhere in the job description.

You should also check whether the position is fully remote, hybrid or restricted to a particular office.

5. Search Lever, Ashby and Other Recruitment Platforms

Greenhouse isn't the only recruitment system used by companies.

Many employers publish vacancies through Lever, Ashby, Workable, Workday and other platforms.

These systems can be useful because their job pages often follow recognisable website address patterns.

For example, Lever listings commonly appear on jobs.lever.co, while Ashby listings appear on jobs.ashbyhq.com.

You can use Google to search these domains.

Try:

site:jobs.lever.co "remote" "Australia"

Or:

site:jobs.ashbyhq.com "remote" "APAC"

For marketing positions, you might search:

site:jobs.lever.co "marketing" "remote"

For customer support:

site:jobs.ashbyhq.com "customer support" "Australia"

Workable vacancies can also be researched using the apply.workable.com domain.

These searches aren't guaranteed to reveal every listing, but they provide a practical way to discover employers using different recruitment platforms.

Importantly, searching an applicant tracking system isn't the same as applying through an independent recruitment agency.

In many cases, the application goes directly into the employer's recruitment process.

6. Look for Remote-First Companies

One of the most effective ways to find remote employers is to research businesses that have already established distributed working models.

Remote-first companies design their processes around employees working from different locations.

They often use online communication, written documentation and virtual meetings rather than requiring everyone to attend a traditional office.

Examples worth researching include Atlassian, Buildkite, Employment Hero, Supabase and GitLab.

These companies have different approaches to distributed work, and their vacancies may have specific geographical requirements.

However, they demonstrate that remote employment can be a normal part of a company's operations rather than an occasional benefit.

When researching a remote-first employer, look beyond the company's general working policy.

Check whether the specific vacancy is available to Australian residents and whether the role requires overlap with international working hours.

A company can be fully remote without hiring in every country.

7. Search for Australian Companies With Distributed Teams

International employers can provide opportunities, but Australian businesses are also worth researching.

Working for an Australian company can simplify certain practical considerations, including employment arrangements, time zones and local payroll.

However, not every Australian employer offers nationwide remote work.

Some businesses require employees to live near a particular office even when they work from home most days.

When researching Australian employers, look for phrases such as "remote — Australia", "work from anywhere in Australia" and "fully remote".

These descriptions are generally more informative than an advertisement that simply says "flexible working".

For example, an employer might permit employees to work from anywhere in Australia but require occasional attendance at a company gathering.

Another might allow home-based work only after completing several weeks of office training.

Understanding these details will help you focus on positions that genuinely suit your circumstances.

8. Research International Companies Hiring Australians

Australian job seekers don't necessarily need to restrict themselves to domestic employers.

Some international businesses recruit Australian-based employees to support local customers, manage regional operations or collaborate with distributed teams.

Technology companies are particularly relevant because many sell software and digital services internationally.

However, overseas remote employment introduces additional considerations.

A position labelled "Remote Worldwide" may still have restrictions relating to employment law, payroll, taxation or time-zone coverage.

Other vacancies are advertised specifically for APAC, ANZ or Australia.

These geographical labels can help identify potentially suitable opportunities.

When reviewing an international vacancy, confirm whether the company accepts applicants living in Australia.

You should also investigate whether the position is offered through Australian employment, an employer-of-record arrangement or independent contracting.

Don't assume that being able to perform the work remotely means the employer can legally employ you in Australia.

9. Follow Companies Before They Advertise Vacancies

Direct employer research is useful even when a business isn't currently hiring.

If you identify a company that interests you, consider following its official careers page and professional updates.

Some businesses allow candidates to subscribe to vacancy notifications.

Others publish recruitment announcements through LinkedIn or their company websites.

You can also revisit their careers pages periodically.

This is particularly useful for smaller companies that recruit less frequently.

For example, a specialist software business might employ only a small customer success team.

A suitable vacancy may appear occasionally rather than every week.

By maintaining a shortlist of employers, you can monitor opportunities without repeating the same research from scratch.

However, avoid spending excessive time checking companies that rarely advertise relevant positions.

Prioritise employers whose working arrangements and career opportunities closely match your goals.

10. Search for the Problems Your Experience Can Solve

One of the most overlooked ways to discover employers is to research businesses serving industries you already understand.

For example, someone with experience in hospitality could investigate companies developing restaurant booking, rostering or point-of-sale software.

A professional from construction might research businesses offering project management, procurement or safety software.

Someone with experience in accounting could explore payroll and financial technology companies.

This approach can be particularly valuable when transitioning into a remote career.

You may not have worked remotely before, but you could understand the company's customers better than applicants from unrelated industries.

For example, a former retail manager might be well suited to customer success at a workforce management software company.

Their practical experience with scheduling, staffing and operational challenges could help them support customers using the product.

Rather than searching only by your previous job title, consider which companies would benefit from your industry knowledge.

11. Build a Shortlist of Employers

Finding individual vacancies is useful, but creating a repeatable job search process can be more effective.

Start by identifying approximately 20 to 30 employers that interest you.

These might include Australian remote-first businesses, international software companies, financial services providers or organisations within your existing industry.

Record their careers websites and the types of positions they commonly advertise.

You can also note whether they support fully remote employment, hybrid arrangements or particular Australian locations.

Over time, you'll develop a clearer understanding of which businesses regularly recruit people with your experience.

This makes it easier to prioritise applications when suitable opportunities appear.

A smaller, carefully researched employer shortlist may be more useful than applying to large numbers of unrelated positions.

12. Check Whether the Job Is Genuinely Remote

One of the biggest challenges when searching for remote work is understanding what employers mean by the word "remote".

Some positions allow employees to work entirely from home.

Others require regular office attendance.

A vacancy might also permit remote work only after an initial training period.

For international positions, the employer may restrict applicants to particular countries or time zones.

Before applying, check the job's stated location and working arrangement.

Look for specific requirements rather than relying entirely on the remote label.

If the advertisement isn't clear, ask the employer whether regular office attendance is required.

This is particularly important if you're living outside a major city or specifically want a job that doesn't involve commuting.

13. Apply Through the Official Employer Recruitment Process

Once you've identified a suitable position, use the application instructions provided by the employer.

In many cases, you'll complete an online form through the company's careers website or applicant tracking system.

You may be asked to upload your resume, answer screening questions or provide examples of relevant experience.

Some employers also request a cover letter or written responses.

Tailor your application to the position rather than submitting the same generic resume to every company.

For example, if you're applying for a remote customer success position, explain how your previous experience demonstrates communication, account management and problem-solving skills.

If you're applying for a software support role, highlight relevant technical knowledge and experience helping customers.

Applying through the original employer page can help ensure you're following the intended recruitment process.

However, it doesn't guarantee preferential treatment over candidates who discovered the same vacancy through another platform.

14. Don't Assume Direct Applications Have Less Competition

It's tempting to assume that a vacancy published on a company website will attract fewer applicants than one advertised on LinkedIn or SEEK.

Sometimes a less visible vacancy may receive fewer applications.

However, many employers publish the same position across multiple platforms.

A company might advertise through its own careers page, LinkedIn, SEEK and several specialist job boards simultaneously.

All those applications may enter the same recruitment system.

This means that applying directly doesn't automatically place you ahead of other candidates.

The main advantage is better access to original information and the ability to discover companies you might otherwise overlook.

Your experience, application quality and suitability for the position still matter.

15. Avoid Fake Employer Websites and Recruitment Scams

Searching for jobs outside major recruitment platforms requires care.

Scammers sometimes create fake websites or impersonate legitimate businesses.

They may advertise unusually high-paying remote positions requiring little experience, then request personal information or money.

Some impersonate genuine recruiters or use website addresses that closely resemble legitimate company domains.

Before applying, verify the employer through independently sourced information.

Ideally, navigate to the company's official website and follow its careers link rather than relying on an unsolicited message.

Be particularly cautious if someone asks you to pay a recruitment fee, purchase equipment from a designated seller or transfer money through your personal bank account.

A legitimate recruitment process shouldn't require you to send money to secure a job.

Australia's Scamwatch provides guidance on identifying employment scams.

A Practical Example: Finding a Remote Customer Success Job

Imagine you're an Australian professional with several years of customer service and account management experience.

You want to transition into a remote customer success position at a software company.

Instead of searching only for "remote customer success jobs" on traditional platforms, you could begin by researching SaaS businesses with Australian customers.

You might investigate payroll software companies, workforce management platforms, accounting software providers and customer relationship management businesses.

Next, visit their official careers websites and look for customer success, customer support and account management positions.

You could also use Google searches targeting Greenhouse, Lever and Ashby.

For example:

site:jobs.ashbyhq.com "customer success" "Australia"

Or:

site:job-boards.greenhouse.io "customer success" "remote"

When you find a suitable advertisement, check whether the employer accepts Australian applicants.

Then research the product and prepare an application explaining how your experience relates to the company's customers.

This approach combines employer research with a more targeted application strategy.

It also helps you discover businesses beyond those appearing in your usual job board searches.

How Often Should You Check Company Careers Pages?

There's no need to visit dozens of company websites every day.

A more manageable approach is to check your highest-priority employers regularly and use vacancy notifications where available.

For example, you might review your shortlist once or twice per week.

If a company offers job alerts, you can subscribe instead of checking manually.

The goal is to maintain awareness of relevant opportunities without turning your job search into an exhausting routine.

You should also spend time improving your applications and developing relevant skills.

Discovering more vacancies is useful, but the quality of your applications remains important.

Find Employer-Sourced Remote Jobs on Deskless

Searching individual employer careers pages can uncover opportunities, but it also takes time.

You may need to research dozens of businesses, navigate different recruitment platforms and repeatedly check whether new vacancies have appeared.

Deskless is designed to make this process easier.

Deskless is a dedicated remote job board featuring opportunities sourced directly from Australian and international company websites.

Rather than relying exclusively on traditional recruitment platforms, Deskless helps job seekers discover remote vacancies published through employer career pages.

New opportunities are added daily, with positions across technology, customer service, administration, sales, marketing, finance and other professions when available.

Deskless operates through a paid membership model.

For Australians interested in finding companies that hire remote workers directly, employer-sourced listings provide another way to discover opportunities beyond conventional recruitment websites.

However, not every vacancy is fully remote, and international employers may have geographical hiring restrictions.

Before applying, confirm whether the position accepts Australian-based applicants and whether regular office attendance is required.

Explore Remote Jobs on Deskless

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find companies hiring remote workers directly?

Start by researching companies with remote working arrangements, visiting their official careers websites and searching employer recruitment platforms such as Greenhouse, Lever and Ashby.

Can I find remote jobs that aren't advertised on SEEK or Indeed?

Yes. Some employers publish vacancies primarily through their own careers pages or specialist recruitment channels. However, many positions are advertised across multiple platforms.

Is applying directly through a company website better?

Applying through the official employer website helps you verify the vacancy and follow the intended recruitment process. It doesn't necessarily improve your chances compared with another legitimate application channel.

What websites do companies use to advertise jobs directly?

Employers commonly use their own careers websites and applicant tracking systems such as Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Workday and Workable.

How do I search Greenhouse for remote jobs?

You can use Google searches such as site:job-boards.greenhouse.io "remote" "Australia" to discover relevant employer-hosted listings.

Can Australians apply directly to overseas companies?

Yes, provided the employer accepts Australian-based applicants and has an appropriate arrangement for employing or contracting with them.

Are direct employer job listings more reliable?

The official employer careers page is a useful source for verifying a vacancy, but applicants should still check that the website and recruitment process are genuine.

Do remote-first companies hire people without remote experience?

Some do. Relevant professional skills, communication and the ability to work independently can be more important than having previously worked from home.

How do I know if a remote job accepts Australian applicants?

Check the geographical eligibility in the original advertisement. Look for Australia, ANZ, APAC or explicit statements that Australian residents can apply.

Where can I find remote jobs sourced directly from employers?

You can research official company careers pages yourself or use a dedicated employer-sourced remote job board such as Deskless.

Final Thoughts

Finding companies that hire remote workers directly is a useful alternative to relying exclusively on traditional job boards.

By researching employers, visiting official careers pages and searching recruitment platforms such as Greenhouse, Lever and Ashby, you can discover opportunities across a broader range of businesses.

This approach is particularly valuable for Australians interested in remote-first companies, international employers and specialised career paths.

However, applying directly doesn't guarantee fewer applicants or a better chance of receiving an interview.

The real advantages are being able to investigate employers more thoroughly, verify working arrangements and identify businesses that match your experience.

Combining direct employer research with targeted applications can help you build a more effective remote job search.

Ready to discover remote opportunities sourced from company websites?

Explore remote jobs on Deskless and find opportunities from Australian and international employers.

Discover remote careers across customer service, administration, sales, technology, marketing, finance and more, without relying exclusively on the same traditional recruitment platforms.