Check whether your contractor setup matches the reality of the work

A review is often worthwhile when a contractor works regular hours, performs a role similar to employees, is closely supervised, uses your systems as part of the business, or has been engaged on rolling terms for a long time. It can also be useful before expanding a contractor model across multiple workers. A common issue is that the written agreement says one thing, while the day-to-day arrangement suggests something else. That gap is often where sham contracting concerns and broader worker classification risk begin to appear.

A contract check only tells part of the story. In this area, the factual working arrangement can matter as much as the contract wording, so a well-written contractor agreement does not automatically settle the issue. This review looks at both the document and the real setup, including control over work, delegation rights, payment structure, integration into the business and how the relationship operates in practice. That makes it broader than a document-only review and more useful where the concern is classification risk rather than wording alone.

We review up to three contractor engagements and consider both the written terms and the practical arrangement. That can include the contractor agreement, how the individual is paid, whether they can delegate, who controls hours and duties, whether they work mainly for your business, what tools or systems they use, and how embedded they are in your operations. You then receive a written report outlining the main risk points, why they matter, and what changes may be worth considering. The report is intended to give you a clearer basis for deciding on next steps.

It is commonly used by businesses that rely on flexible labour, project-based workers or long-running contractor relationships. That includes sectors such as construction, healthcare, hospitality, consulting, childcare and trade services, but the issue can arise in many industries. It is especially useful where contractors perform core business functions, work under similar arrangements to employees, or where different workers are engaged inconsistently across the business. Those patterns can create exposure if the contract label does not line up with the way the work is actually being done.

If we identify concerns, the written report will explain the main issues and outline practical options. Depending on the arrangement, that may involve updating the contract terms, changing how the relationship operates in practice, or considering whether an employment model is more appropriate. In some cases, broader employment advice may be sensible if several workers are engaged in a similar way. This service You will get a clear view of the legal issues and the next steps that matter. If follow-on work is needed, we can scope that separately.

As an online law firm, we eliminate the headaches of paying us by the hour and finding time to meet with a lawyer in person. We charge a fixed fee, with upfront quotes and transparent pricing, and communicate via phone, email and video chat - whichever suits you! You'll be guided through our process by our expert lawyers, who are Australian-qualified and specialise in technology, intellectual property, contract drafting, corporate and commercial law.

At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from $250 to $2,500 AUD depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

Our law firm operates completely online, which means we can help you wherever you are in Australia. We work at The Commons Central - a cool co-working space in Chippendale, Sydney - but our lawyers often work flexibly across various locations.

Our lawyers also work from co-working spaces and home offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, so clients can get help online without needing to meet in person.