Independent Contractors of Australia is frequently asked for statistics on the numbers of self-employed persons. The statistics below have been collated in response to those requests. ICA tracks these figures and updates them as new statistics become available. Self-employed people are people who work for themselves and who might either employ or not employ other people.
Statistics from
Definitions used
There seems to be considerable confusion over terms and definitions used. To assist with clarity, ICA has accumulated and put various definitions into groups below.
ICA says:
Self-employed is the generic term for all working people who are not employees.
This is split into two major sub-categories
- Independent contractors. Work entirely on their own without employing anyone.
- Small business employers. They own and operate their business which has grown to a size where they employ other people.
| Self-employed who … | … do not employ anyone | … do employ others | |||
| Aust Bureau Stats | Aust | Independent contractors | Other business operators | ||
| International Labour Organisation | ILO | Self-employed
Small business |
Independent contractors | Employers | |
| Entity Solutions
|
Aust | Link | IPros (independent Professionals) | ||
| UK ‘Visual’ | UK | Link
|
Work for themselves
Self-employed |
||
| Professional Contractors Group | UK | Freelancers | |||
| General usage | Home workers |