The Independent Contractors Act 2006 (IC Act) and s.357-359 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act) clarify the status of independent contractors and offer protection from:
- ‘sham arrangements’, which misrepresent an employment relationship as an independent contracting relationship
- unfair services contracts.
Contraventions of independent contractor laws can incur penalties of up to $33,000.
Information regarding the rights and responsibilities of independent contractors:
Defines who is an independent contractor.
Defines a ‘sham contract’ and lists offences and penalties.
Explains how the ABCC enforces independent contractors legislation in the building and construction industry.
Outlines which state and territory laws the federal independent contractors legislation has overridden.
The Department of Innovation has released a helpful handbook on independent contractor issues. Find out more from business.gov.au
If you are in any doubt whether you are an independent contractor or an employee, call the Independent Contractors Hotline on 1300 667 850 8am to 6pm (Eastern Standard Time) Monday to Friday or contact us.