ARTICLE · 20 FEBRUARY 2023

Employee GPs – the new engagement

You Legal

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The article discusses the benefits of employee doctors from both the practice's and the doctor's perspectives.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Sarah Bartholomeusz

It's not uncommon to read about the difference between independent contractors and employees, however less so about which arrangement is the better choice (for an individual and for a practice). In this article, we explain why you (as a practice) may want to hire a doctor as an employee and why (as an individual doctor) you may want to become an employee as opposed to an independent contractor.

Independent contractor arrangements have been long regarded as the more 'flexible' and popular option for doctors. However, recent legislation and case law have exposed a degree of risk when these arrangements are not properly characterised and do not reflect the true nature of the relationship. Misclassification has implications for a practice's liability to pay worker entitlements and/or payroll tax. As we can see through the public ruling by the QRO and recent case law, including Thomas and Naaz and Optical Superstores, this issue is dynamic and confusing for practice

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