By Kara Porter
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September 29, 2025
Contracting was once seen as a stopgap or stepping stone to something else. Now it’s a strategic career choice. Flexible schedules, diverse projects and faster career growth are all part of the package. And companies that understand this shift can harness some of the best skills and minds in the market. Beyond The Payslip Tech professionals today are looking for more than decent remuneration. They want: Work-life integration: hybrid schedules, remote options and control over hours. Variety and learning: exposure to multiple industries, platforms and problem types. Rapid career growth: contracting can accelerate promotions and broaden skillsets faster than traditional roles. In Australia, independent contractors make up a growing slice of the tech workforce. According to the ABS , there are over 1.1 million independent contractors , accounting for roughly 7.5% of all employed Australians. Flexibility is a major draw - over half of casual and contract workers cite flexible hours as their top reason for choosing contracting over permanent roles, highlighting why top tech talent increasingly values autonomy and choice in their work. The Modern Trade-Off Contracting today isn’t about instability but rather choice . Contractors pick projects that challenge them, pay well and align with their lifestyle.