You are reading this message because your browser either does not support JavaScript or has it disabled. Please enable JavaScript and Cookies in order to use this site.
If your browser is not JavaScript capable, you can obtain either Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Under Linux, any browser using the latest Mozilla engine should work.
THIS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is dated this ________ day of ________________, ________.
IN CONSIDERATION OF the matters described above and of the mutual benefits and obligations set forth in this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is hereby acknowledged, the Client and the Contractor (individually the "Party" and collectively the "Parties" to this Agreement) agree as follows:
or to such other address as either Party may from time to time notify the other.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have duly affixed their signatures under hand and seal on this ________ day of ________________, ________.
Last Updated January 2, 2025
An independent contractor is someone who works independently by providing services to clients and customers without being considered an employee. The contractor provides their services to the client under an Independent Contractor Agreement. They may be part of a group of contractors working under one contract, or they may be self-employed contractors.
You can use an Independent Contractor Agreement to hire any kind of contractor, including:
While a contractor can work for a client without a written contract, formalising the agreement in writing benefits both parties. An independent contract form allows for both parties to establish and agree upon the details of the arrangement.
For example, you can hire a contractor without completing any paperwork. However, if you only have a conversation about their rates, you won’t have a record of your agreement if they charge you differently than you were expecting. By creating an independent contractor agreement, you can get important details in writing on a signed document.
Creating an Independent Contractor Agreement protects both parties. By outlining the details of the arrangement, such as pay and deadlines, both parties can enter into the working arrangement with confidence.
When someone works for a company, they can either be a contractor or an employee, but not both. Because a contractor and an employee are legally different, it’s important to understand them as two separate roles.
While the kinds of work independent contractors and employees can do is very similar, it’s important to distinguish one from the other because of the legal differences between the two.
An independent contractor usually:
Independent contractors can hire employees or subcontractors to help complete the services they offer.
Conversely, an employee usually:
In New Zealand, employees have established rights under employment laws that employers must uphold. These rights include:
With both independent contractors and employees, companies must adhere to health and safety laws.
Before signing an Independent Contractor Agreement, both the client and the contractor should discuss the following:
You can create a contract for a single job, a fixed duration of time, or indefinitely if the job is ongoing.
Provide details regarding the independent contractor’s services. Be clear and specific when describing tasks, and indicate any important dates. Make sure to provide both the contractor’s and the client’s name and address.
The contractor also has the option of charging the client a retainer fee to secure services The retainer amount depends on the trustworthiness and financial stability of the client, but a reasonable amount is usually 10-50% of the total contract.
Other terms to consider include:
LawDepot’s Independent Contractor Agreement template is customised for New Zealand. Use our questionnaire to personalise your document to suit your needs.
Sample
Independent Contractor Agreement
Personalise your Independent Contractor Agreement. Print or download in minutes.
Create Your Independent Contractor Agreement
Note: Your initial answers are saved automatically when you preview your document.This screen can be used to save additional copies of your answers.