HSE Contracting FAQs

Employees are permanent workers within a company, either in a part-time or full-time capacity. They have a fixed role and responsibility in an organisation, receive employee benefits such as a salary, superannuation, annual leave, and have taxes with held from these wages. 

On the other hand, contractors are brought in for a fixed period of time, to address a specific need or assist with a project within a company. This timeframe can range from one day to months, or even years.

In most instances we will employ you as a PAYG contractor. This means you become an employee of The Safe Step for the duration of the contract assignment. As a PAYG contractor we take care of your tax, superannuation payments and insurance costs.

If you wish to be employed as an ABN contractor, you will need to have a valid ABN, carry current and valid public liability, professional indemnity, and workers compensation (not required if you are based and working in QLD) These insurances need to be remain valid for the duration of your placement.

Please speak to your TNS/TSS consultant if you wish to be employed as an ABN/PTY contractor.

Once you have accepted a contract role with us, your consultant along with the contracting administrator will guide you through the process of setting you up as a contractor.

We will need your tax file number, superannuation information, bank account details all of which can be entered directly into our Astute payroll system.

Any relevant information proving your right to work in Australia (e.g., passport, citizenship certificate, or visa information).

If you wish to be employed as an ABN contractor, you will need to have a valid ABN, be GST registered and carry current and valid: 

• Public Liability (5 million)
• Professional Indemnity (10 million)
• Workers Compensation (this is not required if you are based and working in QLD)

These insurances need to be remain valid for the duration of your placement.

All contracts vary, some might be a year or two, while others are only for a few months. 

The length of the contract will depend on the employer, the type of contract, and the industry you’re in.

For short-term roles, you can look absolutely look for permanent work at the same time. 

We do ask that you make it clear to any new potential employee, that you are only available to commence the role once your contract assignment is complete.

For longer-term contracts, you will need to step out of the job market until your contract nears an end. 

The uncertainty of contracting can be unpleasant, and we understand that you may wish to have a new contract lined-up to avoid down-time between assignments. Speak to your consultant so that we can assist you in setting up a smooth transition.

Your contract will provide you with an approximate / estimated length of contract and required notice period.

Your consultant will maintain contact with both you and your line manager during the duration of your placement and will communicate any possible extensions prior to your estimated end date. 

You will need to contact your line manager and your consultant at The Safe Step.

Please advise how long you will need to be off work and if there is anything you need from us to support you during this time. 

If in doubt, ask your Safe Step consultant. They will inform you what the environment is like before you commence so that you can ensure you are dressed appropriately, whether that is in a suit and tie or hi-visibility workwear.

Timesheets are submitted through The Next Step Astute payroll system (link).

You will be issued login details (username and password) via email when you are set up as a The Next Step contractor. 

Timesheets need to be approved before they can be processed. 

You must submit your timesheet by midday (12pm) on a Monday to ensure your approver has time to approve your timesheet for payment each fortnight. 

For issues with your pay, please contact our accounts team: finance@thesafestep.com.au

For problems accessing Astute’s online payroll system, please email Astute directly: helpdesk@astutepeople.com.au

Payroll is processed via EFT fortnightly on a Wednesday. (Payroll schedule attached).

Timesheets will need to be approved by your timesheet authoriser by midday (12pm) on the Tuesday of a payroll week. 

Your payslip will be sent as a pdf document via email to you after each payroll. To ensure you receive your payslips, please provide your correct email address when submitting your details into Astute. 

Alternatively, you can login into your Astute profile and then go to the profile section. 

Click on Pay Advice and all your payslips should be available for you download as a PDF or Print.

If you are experiencing any issues with your pay, please contact your The Safe Step consultant or our payroll department: finance@thesafestep.com.au.

If you’re having problems accessing Astute’s online payroll system, we recommend emailing Astute directly: helpdesk@astutepeople.com.au.

You can update your details at any point by accessing your astute account. 

From here you go to the 'profile' tab and then update the necessary fields. Don't forget to click the 'Save and Complete' button at the bottom of the screen.

If you accidentally miss a pay run, or if your timesheet is submitted or approved prior to the cut off, please email finance@thesafestep.com.au and a member of our team will be able to help you and let you know when it can be paid out. 

If you are contracting under a PAYG arrangement, your superannuation payment will be equal to 10.5% of your base pay rate.

Super is paid into your nominated account by the 28th of each month.

Most of our contractors are employed as casual staff. As a casual employee you are only paid for the days/hours you are contracted to work and are not entitled to paid sick leave or paid annual leave.

The rate of your assignment is pre-set for all the hours/days you work, and overtime pay at higher rates does not apply.

If your line manager has offered to pay sick or annual leave or overtime, this will need to be discussed with your consultant and our finance team first so we can ensure it is paid correctly.

All expense claims will need to be approved by your line manager preferably prior to your expense. 

Currently the expenses our contractors claim can range from: motor vehicle and car expenses, travel expenses, fuel costs, meals while away overnight. 

Expenses can be claimed via the Astute Payroll system. Once approved by your line manager it will be paid into your next payroll.

Please report workplace incidents, concerns, or injuries immediately to your consultant or call our office.

We recommend talking directly to your line manager / appropriate manager as a first point of contact.

If this isn’t possible, or it doesn’t resolve the problem then please contact your Safe Step consultant immediately.

Please report workplace incidents, concerns, or injuries immediately to your consultant or call our office.

You will be required to undertake our online OHS induction within your first week of starting an assignment and your OHS responsibilities are detailed in the online training; please ensure you know what is expected of you to protect your health and safety. 

 Please let your consultant know if you are not given an induction (including emergency procedures, etc) when you first start with the client. 

Our policies and procedures can also be found within the astute system under the tab: “Compliance Docs”

For any questions or concerns about your position, please don’t hesitate to contact your The Safe Step consultant and they will either answer or your questions or point you in the direction of the right person within our business to help. 

If you’re not sure who your consultant is, just email: finance@thenextstep.com.au and the right person will be in touch.