Independent Contractors Arrangements

Contractor arrangements are often adopted because of the freedoms they provide businesses in their hiring practices.

However, developments in case law continue to reveal the costs involved when such arrangements are improperly introduced, including penalties for sham contracting, back-payments of leave and other Award entitlements, and superannuation, amongst other matters. Further, the laws relating to independent contractors are constantly changing.

This training course covers:

  • When a worker is really an employee for minimum wage, unfair dismissal, leave, and other employment related entitlements
  • Recent changes to the law including case examples
  • Superannuation, PAYG and payroll tax considerations
  • Guidance to ensure the business meets its work health and safety obligations to independent contractors
  • Sham contracting and unfair contracting

Training Course Duration

2.5 hours

Learning Outcomes

After this training course participants should be able to:

  • Explain how to determine whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee and the consequences of getting it wrong
  • Explain how independent contractor arrangements interact with superannuation, PAYG and payroll tax
  • Explain the health and safety obligations of a business to independent contractors
  • Discuss the legal risks involved in sham contracting and unfair contracting
  • Identify any potential issues with current independent contractor arrangements in your business

Training Delivery

This training course is developed and delivered by leading workplace lawyers.

We use handouts, explore real life case studies and allow time for questions and problem solving to ensure participants gain practical knowledge.


We do not offer this training course as a public offering. If you would like to enquire about running this training in-house for your organisation of a work team, please fill in the private courses form.

Enquire about training at your office