Trades & Construction · Brisbane
Accountants for Contractors
Contracting through an ABN is simple until the personal services income rules, super obligations and instalment system all arrive at once.
How are independent contractors taxed in Australia?
You're taxed on business income less expenses, at personal rates if you're a sole trader or through your entity if you use one. The critical overlay is the personal services income (PSI) rules: where more than half your contract income is for your personal skills, and you don't pass the results test or the 80/20 and business-premises/employment/unrelated-clients tests, the income is attributed to you personally and many deductions — including income splitting to a spouse — are denied regardless of your structure.
- Specialist support for independent contractors
- Fixed monthly packages from $220
- BAS, payroll and year-end handled together
- Benchmarked against ATO industry figures
What we watch
What matters most for independent contractors.
PSI tests, applied honestly
We work through the results test and the personal services business tests properly. Interposing a company doesn't defeat the rules, and the ATO reviews this area actively.
Instalments and set-asides
PAYG instalments, quarterly GST and super all need funding from irregular income. We set the rhythm so nothing is a shock.
Contract terms matter
Whether you're paid for a result, supply your own tools and can delegate affects both your tax position and whether the payer owes you super.
Insurance and protection
Income protection, professional indemnity and public liability — deductibility differs by policy type and who holds it.
Deductions
Contractors — what you can claim.
A working checklist we go through with every client in this sector. Substantiation requirements differ by item — we'll tell you which need records and which don't.
- Home office and dedicated work space costs
- Vehicle and travel between client sites
- Computers, software and subscriptions
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Industry registration and professional memberships
- Self-education directly related to current work
- Accounting and legal fees
- Phone and internet on work-use percentage
- Deductible personal super contributions
How we help
Services independent contractors use most.
Tax Returns
Individual and business returns prepared accurately, lodged fast, with every deduction claimed.
Learn more →Tax Planning
Year-round planning that lowers your tax bill before 30 June — not after it.
Learn more →Business Accounting
Bookkeeping, BAS, payroll and management reporting handled end to end.
Learn more →Self-Managed Super (SMSF)
SMSF setup, administration, compliance and audit coordination in one place.
Learn more →Business Advisory
Structuring, cash-flow forecasting, growth strategy and succession planning.
Learn more →Financial Reporting
Clear statutory and management accounts you can actually make decisions from.
Learn more →FAQ
Contractors — questions we're asked most.
What are the PSI rules and do they apply to me?
They apply where more than 50% of your income from a contract is for your personal skills or effort. You escape them if you pass the results test (paid for a result, supply your own tools, liable for rectifying defects) or, failing that, the 80/20 rule combined with an unrelated clients, employment or business premises test. If they apply, income is attributed to you personally and deductions are restricted. It's the first thing we assess for any new contractor.
Am I owed superannuation as a contractor?
Possibly. Where a contract is wholly or principally for your labour, the payer generally must pay super guarantee even if you invoice through an ABN. Many contractors are unaware of this and never claim it. If you contract through a company, the obligation usually doesn't arise.
Will a company reduce my tax as a contractor?
Only if it achieves something — liability separation, client requirements, or genuine retention of profits. If PSI rules apply, a company won't reduce your tax and will add cost and complexity. We model the actual saving before recommending it.
How do I handle irregular income?
Separate accounts for tax, super and operating; a target set-aside percentage from every invoice; and quarterly instalments reviewed so they track reality. If income drops, instalments can be varied down rather than overpaying and waiting for the refund.
Related
Related pages.
Accountants for Tradies
Specialist tax and accounting support for Brisbane tradies.
Learn more →Small Business Accountant Brisbane
Sole traders to companies
Learn more →Tax Planning
Year-round planning that lowers your tax bill before 30 June — not after it.
Learn more →Accountants for Digital Nomads
Specialist tax and accounting support for Brisbane digital nomads.
Learn more →Local coverage across Brisbane
We work in person from our Wakerley office and by secure video across 200 suburbs. Start with your region:
- Accountants Brisbane CPA accountants for the wider Brisbane metro area.
- Accountants South Brisbane South Brisbane, West End, Annerley and Sunnybank.
- Accountants Brisbane Northside Chermside, Stafford, Aspley and the northern corridor.
- Accountants Brisbane Bayside Wynnum, Manly, Wakerley and Tingalpa.
- Accountants Redland City Cleveland, Capalaba, Victoria Point and the bay islands.
- Accountants Logan City Springwood, Beenleigh, Browns Plains and 50 Logan suburbs.
- Accountants Ipswich Ipswich CBD and the western Brisbane corridor.
Ready when you are
Accountants for contractors — let's talk.
Free 15-minute consultation, fixed monthly fee, and an accountant who already knows your sector.