Free Contractor Work Order Generator — Australia
Create a professional work order tailored for contractor businesses in Australia. Create work orders to authorise and track jobs or maintenance tasks.
Create Your Work Order Now →Common Work Order Line Items for Contractors
Here are typical items you might include on a contractor work order:
| Description | Unit |
|---|---|
| Contract labour | hour |
| Day rate | day |
| Project milestone | each |
| Equipment hire | day |
| Site allowance | day |
| Travel and accommodation | each |
Typical Contractor Pricing in Australia
Rates vary by state and job complexity, but these are the kinds of ranges contractors commonly charge:
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Contract labour | $70–$130 per hour |
| Day rate | $500–$1,200 per day |
| Project milestone | $1,000–$20,000+ |
| Equipment hire | $100–$400 per day |
| Site allowance | $40–$100 per day |
Compliance Tips for Contractors
- ABN must appear on all invoices; otherwise the payer must withhold 47% under PAYG.
- Taxable payments annual report (TPAR) may apply — check if your industry is covered.
- Contractor agreements should clarify GST status, payment terms, and intellectual property ownership.
How to Create a Contractor Work Order
Follow these steps to put together a contractor work order with our free generator:
- Enter the job details, site address, and the personnel assigned to complete the work.
- List required materials and tasks as line items so scope is clear before work begins.
- Add the expected timeline and any special instructions (access, safety, client preferences).
- Download the work order as a PDF for the assigned team to take on-site.
What to Include on a Contractor Work Order
A contractor work order should cover these fields, plus a few billing norms specific to how contractors typically operate in Australia.
Fields to include
- Job scope and location: Describe exactly what work is authorised and where, to avoid disputes about what was included.
- Assigned personnel: Naming who is responsible keeps accountability clear, especially for multi-person jobs.
- Materials and timeline: List required materials and an expected completion date so the job can be tracked against plan.
How Contractors typically bill
- Day rates or hourly rates are the norm for site-based contracting; fixed project fees are more common for defined deliverables.
- Invoices are usually issued fortnightly or monthly to match the client's accounts payable cycle.
- A purchase order number from the client is commonly quoted on the invoice to speed up processing.
- Site allowances and travel are billed as separate line items rather than folded into the day rate.
Contractors must quote an ABN to avoid 47% no-ABN withholding, and register for GST once turnover reaches $75,000 — many industries covered by contractors also require a Taxable Payments Annual Report from the businesses that hire them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Watch out for these common errors when preparing a contractor work order:
- Starting work before the order is approved, which can leave you unpaid if the client disputes the scope.
- Leaving the timeline open-ended, making it hard to flag delays or hold anyone accountable.
Frequently asked questions
Am I a contractor or an employee?
The ATO looks at the whole working arrangement — control over how work is done, tools ownership, financial risk, and ability to delegate. If the business controls how and when you work, you may be an employee regardless of your contract.
Do contractors need to pay their own super?
If you are genuinely self-employed, you are not entitled to super from the hiring business. However, you can (and should) make voluntary contributions. If the ATO deems you an employee, the hirer must pay super.
Should a contractor issue a tax invoice or a recipient-created tax invoice (RCTI)?
Normally the contractor issues the tax invoice. An RCTI arrangement, where the payer creates the invoice, requires a written agreement and is common in mining and transport industries.
What should a work order include?
A work order should include: job description, location, assigned personnel, required materials, timeline, special instructions, and approval signatures.
Who authorises a work order?
For a small business this is usually the owner or job manager; for larger operations it is often a supervisor with budget authority, since the work order commits labour and materials before the job starts.
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