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: The new world of work
We track and discuss what's happening with work.
The new Cuban revolution.
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
Left versus right: the great debate
Ken Phillips (ICA) and Peter Strong (COSBOA) debate "The Future (or Death) of Employment". Vids are here.
Our Campaigning
We need unfair contract protections
Defend contractor tax laws
Watching: Your Super
We're monitoring superannuation
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
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Payment arrangement calculator
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Handy Super links:
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ATO free seminars.
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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
Australian self-employed are happier
(Updated: mid-2009)


We're finding consistent themes in new research emerging on work related to independent contractors. Evidence is mounting that self-employed people have high levels of professional satisfaction.

The latest research (mid-2009) by Monash University in partnership with Entity Solutions, shows that independent professionals have a sense of freedom and a perceived ability to earn more. They also have a strong sense of 'connection' to their clients. This runs counter to the common view that businesses need employees if they are to create loyalty 'bonds'. This supports earlier Monash/Entity research, The Forgotten Workforce, launched in late 2008.

A survey from Murdoch University (2007) shows that self-employed independent contractors are happier than employees. This supports a Zurich University study published in 2004. The Murdoch study finds that the self-employed have higher life and work satisfaction than employees, and have perceived better general and mental health, vitality, social functioning and financial situations. The findings are not age- or gender-dependent.

Links:
Monash/Entity (Ipros Index) mid-2009

Monash/Entity (Forgotten WorkForce) late 2008

Murdoch University press release, click here. Murdoch University report, click here General link to Murdoch University, click here.

2004 Zurich University report, click here.