2 million self-employed
Their interests are our interest
It's your contract: Take control of it!
We say you should control your contract. Here's how. Check for clauses that are:
Red for Stop
Amber for Caution
Green for Go
You can also make use of our Contract Template to design your contract.

Matrixes and template are available here (ICA members only). Not a member? Join here for as little as $55.
You and Your Contract
Charter of Contractual Fairness.

Debate: Suck it up?

Contract problems?
Fixing business disputes
There's lots happening for new dispute resolution services for small business people. The Small Business Commissioner (SBC) model is being rolled out across Australia. Explanation of developments.
Watching: Self-employed entrepreneurs
Our discussion on enabling innovation
Watching: The coordinated attack against self-employed in Australia
Do unions hate the self-employed?
Federal tax attack
Sham contracting small problem
Watching: New Technology
Opportunities and new threats for self-employed people
Charles Dickens on debt and misery
'Income 20 pounds; expenditure 21 pounds; result misery!'
Bureaucracy can be so confusing!
The perils of designing a traffic sign
Great truths ...
25 great quotations
Our Campaigning
We need unfair contract protections
Defend contractor tax laws
Watching: Your Superannuation
Scary super stories

Abbott says ATO to administer Super

Super Review and Govt response.
Watching: Work Safety Laws
Harmonised laws have big problems.
Watching: Government Contracts
Military Aircraft (JSF)

National Broadband Network
Watching: Fair Work Act
We're watching

What the AIG wants
Handy ATO Links
Filing your tax return:
A member's problem
ATO advice

Handy ATO tax links:
ATO debt collection: overview
ATO debt collection: 'Products'
Guide to managing your debt
Not-for-profit tax guide
Lodge your BAS online
PAYG withholding tax tables
New tax form: Taxpayer Statement of Account
New tax form: Notice of Assessment
Mortgage scams
Small business support
Payment arrangement calculator
Want an ATO visit?
ATO Help for small business
ABN eligibility rules
Self managing your tax debt

Handy Super links:
ATO SMSF compliance
ATO free seminars.
SMSF Admin advice
New Super clearing house
Tax on SMSF loans
Watching Global Economies
Watching Global Economies
Watching the USA
Watching China
Central Banks on Debt
Watching Housing Bubbles
Ken Phillips on the debt equation

Business Help:
Advice and Tips for Small Businesses and Independent Contractors

In the Business Help section, you'll find practical advice, tips and information for running your small business. As an independent contractor we hope you'll more effectively run your business. We think the business experts are you. So we've concentrated on talking to small business people and what they've learned about business.

The help is easily accessible from the public drop-down menus under "Business Help". Here's the business help you'll find:

Online Business help

Talk with Martin Dowling. He's our small business problem solver, who is available 24/7 on line. A small businessman himself, Martin was awarded the 2008 NAB Small Business Mentor Award. His four pieces of practical advice are also worth reading. You can learn more about Martin through our introductory video.

ICA Video Assistance

Look at our videos. We've interviewed self-employed people. They talk about the lessons they've learned about running your own business. These are people who are probably just like you, facing the same sorts of issues.

Other Links and Resources

Other items in the menu include links to external sources, including Business Victoria: the Federal Government: and the ATO: We also have an ATO Tax Facts overview, which provides a useful introduction.

ICA has additional help for small business in its "Members Only" section where you'll find:
  • a large range of business templates (including business plans, marketing plans, promotional documents and information that you might need to take to the bank)
  • important information about work safety and OHS
(To become a member and receive member benefits click here.)