6333.0 - Characteristics of Employment, Australia, August 2015 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 31/08/2016   
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INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS

Information presented on independent contractors consists of persons who may be employees, owner managers of incorporated enterprises (OMIEs) and owner managers of unincorporated enterprises (OMUEs).

There were just over 1 million persons who were independent contractors in August 2015. Almost three quarters (73%) of all independent contractors were males. More than half (55%) of all independent contractors were aged 45 years and over. (Datacube 14)

The Construction industry Division had the most independent contractors (30%) followed by the Professional, scientific and technical services industry Division (17%). These industry Divisions also had the most male independent contractors (40% and 15% respectively). By comparison, the Professional, scientific and technical services industry Division had the most female independent contractors (19%) followed by Health care and social assistance (16%).
(Datacube 15)

Graph Image for Distribution of Independent Contractors, Occupation of main job - By sex

Source(s): Distribution of Independent Contractors, Occupation of main job - By sex-Independent contractors, Occupation by Sex 2015



The occupation groups with the highest proportion of independent contractors were Technicians and trades workers (27%) and Professionals (25%). These occupation groups also employed the highest proportions of male independent contractors (35% and 20% respectively). In contrast, for female independent contractors, the occupation groups with the highest proportions were Professionals (36%) followed by Clerical and administrative workers (16%).

Other characteristics of independent contractors include:
  • 93% expected to be with current employer/business in 12 months;
  • 20% of those who did not expect to be with current employer/business in 12 months reported that they would be retiring;
  • 14% had been with their current employer/business for less than one year, while 40% had been with their current employer/business for 10 years or more; and
  • 30% of independent contractors reported their highest level of educational attainment was a Certificate III/IV. The most common educational attainment for males was a Certificate III/IV (37%), whilst for females the most common level of educational attainment was a Bachelors degree (24%).