I’m currently between jobs and have been offered work as a builders labourer. I’m happy to do the work but wondered what the going rate is. It’s a long time since I’ve done anything similar.
What is the going rate for a builders laborer?
Euphemistic on 29/01/2019 - 06:45
Comments
Have you tried the Fair Work Australia website? They have a Pay Calculator you can use to work out what you should be getting…
I threw in some basic stuff about builders labourer and it spat out $26.34/h as a casual.
I know a few builders labourers that are paid much higher rate than usual, because they are asked to get and ABN so they can work as sole trader and so business doesn't have to pay insurance. You then work for yourself essentially, so have to cover your own insurance (or roll the dice, take the risk of injury and zero compo or even medical coverage).
If getting paid off the books, keep in mind if anything goes wrong, you're screwed. Also keep in mind, the person hiring you (under the table) is getting off without paying any insurance for you, and insurance for them I believe is really high. Also they aren't paying super and all that.
Same goes if they ask for ABN and for you to be technically hired as contractor working for yourself. They do this saving paying super and saving paying for insurance for you. Also, asking to pay you under ABN (and cash in hand of course) is a way they can avoid paying you even minimum wage for your work.
$26 an hour was mentioned, but that would be including all the extras (super, insurance if you get hurt, penalty rates, etc).
Also, better to work on the books. If they want to pay you cash in hand, ask if you can work 'on the books' , as that's what you would prefer. Working illegally off the books, can (and mostly will) cause all sorts of problems later on.Maybe I'm wrong re cash in hand work - but i believe I looked this up approx 8 years ago and found that while the employer's insurance may not cover you unless you are a formal employee, the employer may be personally liable for compensation regarding workplace related injuries.
Am I mistaken?
They probably are liable both criminally and with cival law compensation. Whether they are going to admit to it, or just tell you to f off when your injured… well that is another story.
I highly doubt that any employer paying cash in hand, is going to freely admit their guilt, and pay you out and cop charges (and losing builders registration), without a fight and then your word against theirs (plus no paperwork whatsoever to show you were working there, let alone proving you had workplace injury there) .So technically, I believe you are correct.
Practically, you should consider yourself not covered if working cash in hand. Even if the employer was willing to freely admit guilt and pay everything due (lost wages, medical expenses for a lifetime, etc) whose to say they are going to have massive amounts of $$ on hand to pay out compensation from their own pocket.Sounds reasonable to me - practical and enforceable > theoretical every time.
Cheers. Lucky I'm not in that situation, but sympathies to so many workers that are (and find it difficult to find more legitimate employment).
No you're correct. What it will come down to is, is the person really conducting a business or not? Do they do work for others? Do they basically do what they are told and when? It's all fine until someone really hurts themselves and then the employer will be in court.
while the employer's insurance may not cover you unless you are a formal employee, the employer may be personally liable for compensation regarding workplace related injuries.
Just to add to the comments by others which are on point, at that point you're no longer claiming worker's comp (which is a relatively simple, straightforward and near-automatic process) for compensation, you're just claiming under normal civil liability rules which would require the worker to prove fault or negligence, prove damages, etc which is a much more involved and longer process.
On a side note, how is airtasker going? Still worth the effort?
I’ve obly done a few airtasker jobs, being Christmas holiday I have t been looking too hard yet. The first one sucked, mowing job that worked out under $15/hr. The rest have been pretty good, closer to $30/hr. I’ve missed a few jobs because I bidbwhat it is worth to me, not what the tasker budgets. Basically I’m not wasting by time chasing every job at any cost. I’ve got better things to do than bust my a*** for under $20/hr.
Thanks all. Still being confirmed with the builder, but it’s handy to know what the going rate is. I’m aware of then whole workers comp, on and off the books thing. If it is going to be a one off it is a bit different to ongoing in regards to cash vs payroll and the benefits of each.
Even a “one off” cash in hand job puts you at risk of not receiving compensation etc if you are injured.
I might do tutoring or book keeping or similar for cash in hand - I think builders labouring is a field that has inherently more risk of accident or injury, and I would not risk it if the situation was applicable to me.
Fair enough, yes it is risky and not for everyone. I think I have enough safety training and building site awareness to make it through a day or two. I’ve done plenty of my own renovations too.
What did they offer you?
Is the money on the books or under the table? ie are you paying tax on it or are you being paid under a ABN?