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24

Speak Out

December 2017

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

A contract is an agreement between two or more parties

to perform a service, provide a product or commit to an

act and is enforceable by law. There are several types of

contracts, and each have specific terms and conditions.

For a contract to be legally binding it must include an

offer and acceptance, an intention to create a legally

binding relationship and consideration – usually a form

of payment. If you are signing a contract you must have

legal capacity to enter a contract of your own free will, as

well as a proper understanding and consent of what is

involved.

There is no specific format that a contract must follow.

For speech pathologists a contract usually takes the

form of an Employment Agreement or an Independent

Contractors Agreement.

If you are producing a contract it is important that these

documents are properly developed. Do not be tempted to

use a proforma contract that will not protect the needs or

interests of either yourself or your staff.

If you are signing any contract you must have read and

understand the terms and conditions and understand

what you are consenting to. Too often individuals sign

contractual agreements only to realise what they have

actually agreed to when something changes in their

workplace.

If you don’t understand any part of the contract it is

important you ask questions and/or seek advice before

you sign it.

For more information contact Speech Pathology Australia

and/or read

SPA’s FAQ Employment/contractor

Contracts for Private Practice

SPA members can also obtain free initial advice about

contracts and other employment issues for both private

and public sectors from WorkPlacePLUS.

For a fee, WorkPlace PLUS can also develop contracts

for your business. Please call Anna Pannuzzo on 0419

533434.

Nichola Harris

Acting Senior Advisor, Professional Practice

in practice

Contracts

Do you know what’s in yours?

SPEECH PATHOLOGY AUSTRALIA STAFF RECEIVE MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS FROM POTENTIAL

EMPLOYEES AND BUSINESS OWNERS.

“You must read

and understand

the terms and

conditions and

understand

what you are

consenting to...”

The contract should include:

commencement date of employment;

the employee’s duties;

how many hours they will work;

the days they will work;

where they will work;

how much they will be paid;

their employment status;

their employment conditions, including leave and other

entitlements; and,

whether an industrial award or collective agreement

covers the employment. The modern award that covers

ALL speech pathologists and outlines the minimum

conditions of employment in Australia is the Health

Professionals and Support Services Award.

You should also consider:

the position and duties of the employee;

the remuneration package, (e.g. use of a vehicle);

if a trial period or probationary period applies;

measures to protect the employer’s business e.g.

confidentiality, intellectual property;

provision of supervision and performance appraisal

(and the frequency of this) – For more details see

SPA’s

Position Statement on Professional Support and the

Supervision Standards;

termination of employment (notice, summary dismissal

and redundancy);

the application of policies and procedures;

requirement to complete pre-existing injury declaration;

process for review of contracts and amendments to

contracts;

use of and return of property to the practice post-

employment;

exclusive service clause; and,

restraint of trade clause post-employment.