There were 1.1 million people who were independent contractors in their main job in November 2010, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This represented 9.8 per cent of all employed persons and was an increase from 1.0 million (9.6 per cent of employed persons) in November 2009.

In November 2010, one in ten (10 per cent) independent contractors worked seven days a week, compared with 4 per cent of employees. Independent contractors were more likely than employees to work both weekdays and weekends (39 per cent of independent contractors compared with 30 per cent of employees).

Independent contractors worked longer hours than employees: almost a quarter (24 per cent) worked 49 or more hours a week (compared with 12 per cent of employees).They were also more likely to be on call or stand-by than employees (36 per cent compared with 23 per cent). Independent contractors were twice as likely as employees to have their hours vary each week (46 per cent compared with 23 per cent).

Independent contractors tended to be older than employees, with more than half (53 per cent) of independent contractors aged over 45, compared with just over one-third (35 per cent) of employees. Independent contractors also tended to be with their current employer/business longer than employees: almost two-fifths (38 per cent) of independent contractors had been with their current employer for 10 or more years, compared with one-fifth (20 per cent) of employees.