How to pay international contractors in Australia
Global companies hire Australian contractors to tap into the country’s skilled workforce. But when it’s time to pay them, what steps do you need to take to comply with all of Australia's complex labor and tax laws?
Before you receive your first invoice, read on to learn what you need to know about working with Australian contractors, including how to correctly classify, onboard, and pay them according to Australia's labor laws.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to run payroll for contractors in Australia.
Step #1: Classify your workers
When you choose to hire independent contractors around the world, classifying them correctly is crucial. Misclassifying Australian workers, specifically claiming employees as contractors, can result in fines, back taxes, and other harsh penalties from Australian courts and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). “Sham contracting” penalties can include:
- Court-ordered fines of up to AUD 16,500 for individuals and AUD 82,500 for companies
- Make-up payments for every missed superannuation (Australia’s pension system) contribution, plus interest and admin fees
- Additional fines up to twice the amount of the superannuation charge
- A failure-to-withhold-taxes cost of the full amount that should’ve been withheld, including a Medicare (Australia’s health system) levy
To help employers determine whether a hire meets the criteria for an employee or independent contractor, the Australian government’s Fair Work Ombudsman laid out a series of indicators that, when considered all together, draw the distinction:
Contractors
Employees
High level of worker control. Contractors are generally given more autonomy to determine how to complete the work and when to do it.
More direction from the employer. Employees are generally subject to more control and direction from their employer, who will provide guidance on how to perform the work and may set specific hours of work.
Equipment and tools owned by the worker.
Equipment and tools typically provided by the company.
Less integrated. Contractors tend to be independent, they’re more likely to work remotely, and they use their own tools and equipment.
Highly integrated. Employees are typically more integrated into the employer's organization, for example, they may work at the employer's premises.
No entitlement to benefits. Contractors are not entitled to the same benefits and protections as employees, and they are responsible for paying their own taxes.
Entitled to benefits. Employees are entitled to certain employment benefits and protections, such as minimum wage, overtime pay, and vacation pay. They may also be entitled to benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid sick leave.
Time-bound engagement. Contractors are typically engaged for a specific project or period of time.
Indefinite engagement. Employees are generally hired for an indefinite period of time.
Risk of loss. Contractors may assume more risk and liability for the work they perform.
No risk of loss. Employees are generally protected from liability for work-related issues.
Subcontracting. Contractors can delegate work to be performed by another person or business.
No subcontracting. Employees are expected to do their work themselves. They can’t delegate responsibilities without company approval.
Step #2: Determine the best way to pay your contractors
The first thing to do before you can pay contractors in Australia is to determine how you'll pay them. With the rise of global workforces and remote work, employers now have more choices than ever for sending paychecks to Australian contractors. Here are some options:
- Bank wires. You can open an Australian bank account and use it to deposit funds into Australian contractors' accounts or use your bank to send a global wire transfer to pay an Australian contractor.
- International money orders. This long-standing payment method can be slow—especially because the employer needs to physically purchase the money order, and the contractor needs to physically deposit it upon receipt. Money orders can also come with fees and bad exchange rates.
- Digital wallets or payment platforms. Note that not all digital payment platforms are available in Australia (for example, Venmo only works within the US) though some employers use platforms like Wise to transfer money across borders. Remember that exchange rates can change from day to day, making it difficult to predict your outgoings.
- Global payroll services. Typically, contractors aren't included in payroll, since they aren't subject to the same withholdings as employees—instead, they invoice for their services, which goes through accounts payable for many companies. But with Rippling, you can pay Australian employees and Australian contractors, simplifying Australian pay runs for your team.
Step #3: Use global payroll software to process payments
As you saw in Step #2, there are multiple ways to pay remote contractors in Australia. But the fastest and simplest way is paying contractors through global payroll software.
With Rippling, you can pay employees and contractors across the world in one place. Here’s a preview of how Rippling’s global payroll system works:
Step #4: Ensure your contractor has the right tax information
Employers aren't required to withhold and pay income taxes for contractors in Australia. The ATO sends contractors activity statements to keep track of their income and business expenses (to claim any qualifying deductions), which contractors then complete and file quarterly.
However, some employers make voluntary agreements with their contractors to make tax payments on their behalf, through a process known as Pay as You Go (PAYG) withholding (making these payments is mandatory for employees).
To file taxes, contractors typically need:
- An individual tax file number
- An Australian Business Number (since individual contractors run their own businesses)
- A PAYG withholding registration
- A Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration if your business income exceeds AUD 75,000
Independent contractors usually make their own superannuation contributions. However, companies may have to make payments on a contractor’s behalf if the worker is paid mainly for their labor and not contingent upon a specific result (e.g., a freelance secretary doing clerical work 15 hours a week). In this case, employers have to offer contractors a choice of super fund within four weeks of their start date and guarantee to contribute a percentage of their wage.
Effortlessly manage contractors around the world
Expanding your international workforce has never been easier. With Rippling, you can pay international contractors in Australia and around the world in one system.
FAQs about paying contractors in Australia
Do you need to withhold taxes when paying contractors in Australia?
No, foreign companies don't have to withhold payroll taxes when paying contractors in Australia. Contractors are required to pay all of their own taxes. Though if both parties agree, companies can voluntarily withhold taxes on a contractor’s behalf.
Does Australian minimum wage apply to independent contractors in Australia?
No, minimum wage and other labor and employment laws don't apply to independent contractors in Australia.
Do Australian contractors get benefits?
No, independent contractors in Australia are not entitled to benefits in the same way as employees. Offering employee benefits to independent contractors can even increase the risk that the courts will consider the contractors to have been misclassified.
Can you pay contractors in Australia in your home currency?
Typically, Australian contractors get paid in their local currency, Australian dollars. You can choose to pay contractors in a different currency, but this should be explicitly stated in your contract with them.
Many international payment providers, like Rippling, support contractor payments in either Australian dollars or your currency.
Can you manually pay contractors in Australia?
Yes, and it's common for small business owners to manually process contractor payments in an attempt to cut costs. But this can be time-consuming, especially as your business grows and if you work with multiple contractors in Australia or across borders.
It's also important to note that manually processing payments comes with some risks:
- Compliance. Running payroll manually means assuming the risk of human error and omission. Protect yourself and your business with Rippling, which automatically enforces compliance with any applicable local laws—no matter where your contractors live.
- Security. Manual payroll processing also poses security risks, especially if you use spreadsheets or paper records. Sensitive contractor information can be lost, stolen, or misused.
- Contractor experience. Manual payments are usually slow and lack transparency regarding payment timelines and exactly what contractors are being paid for. This can be frustrating for contractors trying to understand their income.
Make payroll automatic by using Rippling. Rippling syncs all your business's HR data with payroll, eliminating the need for manual data entry entirely. Employees and contractors all over the world get paid quickly (and compliantly).
How do you turn a contractor into an employee in Australia?
When transitioning contractors to employees, it's crucial to decide on the best employment model for your business. While hiring independent contractors over full-time employees can be more flexible or come with financial benefits, sometimes you do need a full-time employee.
The challenge is making sure all the legal and compliance requirements are in order: Australia's labor laws require payroll deductions, benefits, and more for employees that you don't have to worry about for contractors. Companies are more likely to employ through their own entity if they already have one in Australia. However, companies can still hire employees in Australia without an Australian entity through an employer of record service.
With Rippling, you can effortlessly manage contractors—as well as quickly transition contractors to full-time employees—with legally compliant paperwork, benefits administration, payroll, and more. Rippling handles it all, so you stay compliant from onboarding to offboarding.
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
