Types of employment

Employers need the right mix of employment arrangements to suit the needs of their businesses. 

However, an employee’s status or type of employment must actually match the nature of the working arrangement.  It is important that employees are correctly classified. 

There are a number of working arrangements available, including:

1. full time employment and part time employment; 
2. casual employment;
3. fixed term or contract employment;
4. apprenticeships and traineeships; and
5. probationary work.

A brief explanation of these options is available in the Types of employment publication.

Subcontracting

Subcontractors are not employees - there are distinct differences between the two arrangements.  The law treats subcontractors and employees differently and it can prove very costly if employers get it wrong.

Whether a worker is an employee or a subcontractor is determined by the nature of the arrangement - not by the label the employer gives the person. 

Labour Relations has produced a publication titled Subcontractor or employee that outlines the key differences between the two arrangements.

Call Wageline on 1300 655 266 for further information on the different types of employment and subcontracting.