Employee or Contractor ?

by | Dec 11, 2015 | Accounting / Bookkeeping, Small Business

How to decide if your workers are employees or independent contractor guidance.

Different Trades

  1. Having an Australian Business Number (ABN) – Myth: If a worker has an ABN they are a contractor
  2. Common industry practice – Myth:“Everybody in my industry takes on workers as contractors, so my business should too”.
  3. Short-term workers – Myth: Employees cannot be used for short jobs or to get extra work done during busy periods.
  4. The 80% rule – Myth: A worker cannot work more than 80% of their time for one business if they want to be considered a contractor.
  5. Past use of contractors – Myth:“My business has always used contractors, so we do not need to check whether new workers are employees or contractors.”
  6. Registered business Name – Myth: If a worker has a registered business name, they are a contractor.
  7. Contracting on different jobs – Myth: If a worker is a contractor for one job, they will be a contractor for all jobs.
  8. Pay super – Myth: “My business should only take on contractors so we do not have to worry about super.”
  9. Specialist kills or qualifications – Myth: Workers used for their specialist skills or qualifications should be engaged as contractors.
  10. Workers wants to be a contractor – Myth:“My workers wants to be a contractor, so my business should take them on as a contractor.”
  11. Using Invoices – Myth: “If a worker submits an invoice for their work, they are a contractor.”
  12. Contracts – Myth: “If a worker’s contract has a section that says they are a contractor, then legally they are a contractor.”

ATO Employee / Contractor Decision Tool

 

Use the employee / contractor decision tool to find out whether your workers is an employee or contractor for tax and super!

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