EMI.AI

Getting Back To Work

With Brentdee

Key Points

  • Research suggests that individuals recovering from work-related injuries in Queensland can benefit from transitioning to self-employment as a sole trader,
  • particularly in fields like entertainment
  • (e.g., DJ, MC, AV tech, or remote design), as a backup if liability concerns limit traditional employment,
  • with around 70-80% of small businesses starting this way for its low costs and simplicity.
  • It seems likely that employers increasingly prefer PTY Ltd structures for contractors due to liability protections,
  • but sole traders can affordably register and upgrade later once income supports it, while personal insurance helps manage risks.
  • Evidence leans toward exploring free or low-cost educational resources from WorkCover Queensland for alternative careers,
  • such as remote work in web design (e.g., WordPress), audio production, or programming, which can build skills without formal certification.

Overview of Transitioning to Self-Employment During Recovery

For those navigating recovery from injuries while on workers’ compensation in Queensland,

developing backup plans is essential.

This includes shifting from employed roles

(under a Tax File Number where the employer handles taxes)

to self-employment via an Australian Business Number (ABN) as a sole trader.

This structure suits creative fields like entertainment,

allowing roles in DJing, MCing, AV tech, or remote design work. It provides flexibility during healing, especially when avoiding reinjury in high-risk environments like crowded venues.

Focus remains on recovery—damaged tissues heal over time, with or without surgery—but forward planning ensures financial stability.

Building a Split System: Employed vs. Self-Employed

A practical approach involves maintaining current employment where possible while establishing a sole trader backup.

Employers may now favor PTY Ltd contractors for payment and liability reasons,

a shift noted in recent industry changes.

If income is limited, start with affordable steps:

Register a business name and ABN (low or no cost),

then upgrade to PTY Ltd once revenue allows.

Personal insurance covers self-employed risks,

enabling contracted work without burdening employers.

This split safeguards against job loss due to liability,

offering a fail-proof Plan A (return to employed work),

Plan B (self-employed contracting), and Plan C (remote alternatives).

Addressing Access and Setup Challenges

Digital ID verification for ATO accounts can be frustrating,

often due to identity strength issues despite verified documents.

Common solutions include resetting via myGovID app, contacting ATO support, or using alternative proofs like passports. Once resolved, update details to manage taxes seamlessly as a sole trader.

Exploring Alternative Opportunities

Remote and online roles provide viable backups, such as NDIS support positions

(e.g., coordination or recruitment, many work-from-home in Queensland)

or digital work with companies like X (formerly Twitter),

which offers IT, content, or remote tech roles.

Interest in skill-building—e.g., WordPress websites, audio editing, or programming—can lead to self-employment

without certification, leveraging practical knowledge.

Comprehensive Guide to Developing Backup Employment Plans During Injury Recovery in Queensland

In Queensland, recovering from a work-related injury while on workers’ compensation often involves balancing health priorities with financial stability.

This guide outlines strategies for creating resilient backup plans, particularly for those in dynamic fields like entertainment.

It emphasizes a transition to self-employment as a sole trader, incorporating personal insurance for liability, and exploring remote opportunities.

Drawing from official resources like WorkCover Queensland and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO),

The advice focuses on practical,

low-cost steps to build a split system:

maintaining traditional employment

where feasible while establishing independent structures.

This approach accounts for common challenges,

such as employer preferences for certain business entities and access issues with digital systems, ensuring individuals can focus on healing without financial distress.

Understanding the Need for Multi-Tiered Plans

Recovery from injuries involving damaged tissues,

such as those in the back or nerves, requires time—typically 6-12 months or more—with a focus on avoiding setbacks like reinjury.

During this period, day-to-day progress is key, but forward planning mitigates uncertainties. A robust strategy includes:

  • Plan A: Returning to pre-injury employment, adhering to Rehabilitation and Return to Work (RRTW) plans under WorkCover Queensland, which aim for safe resumption of duties.
  • Plan B: Shifting to self-employment if liability risks (e.g., in crowded or physical environments) limit options, using personal insurance to assume responsibility.
  • Plan C: Pivoting to remote or alternative roles, such as online work or NDIS-related positions, to sustain income.

This tiered framework, documented in personal notes, provides security. Queensland’s workers’ compensation system supports such flexibility, with 85% of claims resolving through collaborative rehab, but alternative paths are crucial when traditional roles aren’t viable.

Transitioning to Self-Employment: Sole Trader Structure

For individuals in entertainment roles like DJing,

MCing, AV tech, or remote design, self-employment as a sole trader offers a straightforward backup.

This structure involves registering an ABN (free via the Australian Business Register) and a business name (low cost through ASIC),

allowing operations under personal tax arrangements. Unlike employed positions (under a Tax File Number where employers handle taxes), sole traders manage their own, but it’s simpler and cheaper than a PTY Ltd company.

Key advantages include:

  • Low setup costs: No need for expensive registrations initially.
  • Flexibility: Contract out services to former employers or new clients, reducing their liability.
  • Scalability: Start small and upgrade to PTY Ltd once income supports it (e.g., after generating revenue to cover ASIC fees of around $538).

Employer shifts toward preferring PTY Ltd contractors common in entertainment for liability protection

can be addressed by starting as a sole trader and transitioning later. If funds are limited

(e.g., through loans for initial name registration),

prioritize essentials like insurance to enable safe work resumption.

Incorporating Personal Insurance for Liability

Liability concerns, such as reinjury in high-energy settings, can be managed through personal public liability insurance (typically $300-600 annually for $10-20M coverage).

Providers like Bluewell or Smart Business Insurance offer tailored policies for entertainers in Queensland.

This allows self-employed individuals to take full responsibility, making them attractive as contractors without burdening employers. In recovery phases, focus on low-risk activities like remote AV design to avoid setbacks while building income.

Resolving ATO and Digital Access Challenges

Accessing ATO accounts via myGovID is essential for tax management in self-employment, but issues with identity strength are common despite verified documents. Steps to resolve include:

  • Checking error codes in the myGovID app and resetting credentials.
  • Contacting ATO support (13 28 61) for assistance, as passports or other IDs may boost strength.
  • Ensuring Standard or Strong identity levels for full access—persistent problems may require in-person verification at Services Australia centers.

Queensland residents can use local support, but once resolved, update details to handle taxes efficiently as a sole trader.

Exploring Remote and Alternative Work Opportunities

If traditional roles prove unfeasible, remote options provide viable backups. In Queensland, NDIS-related work

such as support coordination or recruitment

often allows work-from-home, with over 50 listings in Brisbane/Gold Coast areas for roles paying $70,000+.

Platforms like SEEK and Indeed highlight these, emphasizing skills in client management without formal qualifications.

Interest in digital roles with companies like X (formerly Twitter) aligns with opportunities in IT support, content moderation, or remote tech—X’s careers page lists positions starting from entry-level, valuing practical experience over certifications. Similarly, remote work in WordPress website design, audio production, or programming can be self-taught or enhanced through free resources.

WorkCover Queensland offers educational support for alternative careers via its Injury Prevention and Management (IPaM) program,

providing tailored advice and webinars on rehab and return-to-work strategies.

Accredited courses for Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinators

(e.g., via KINNECT Training or OHSA)

cover skills transferable to remote roles, often free or subsidized for claimants. Inquire through your claims manager about online modules in web design, audio, or coding

while not always specialized, they build foundational knowledge.

Table of Business Structure Comparison for Entertainment Professionals in Queensland

AspectSole TraderPTY Ltd Company
Setup CostLow (free ABN, $42 business name)Higher ($538 ASIC registration, plus accounting)
LiabilityUnlimited (personal assets at risk)Limited (company separate from personal)
Tax ManagementPersonal income tax rates; simpler reportingFlat 25-30% company rate; more paperwork
Suitability for DJ/MC/AV TechIdeal for starters; flexible contractingPreferred by some employers for liability protection
Upgrade PathEasy to convert once income growsN/A (start here if scaling planned)
Insurance NeedsPersonal public liability essentialOften included in business packages

Table of Remote Work Opportunities and Resources in Queensland

Opportunity TypeExamplesRequirementsResources
NDIS RolesSupport Coordinator, Recruiter (work-from-home)Practical skills; no certification needed for entrySEEK/Indeed listings; NDIS Commission careers
Digital Roles with XIT Support, Content ModerationExperience in tech/digital; remote optionsX Careers page; LinkedIn vacancies
Skill-Building CoursesWordPress, Audio, ProgrammingSelf-taught or online modulesWorkCover IPaM; KINNECT/OHSA rehab courses; free webinars
General Remote WorkAV Design, Online TechBasic knowledge; insurance for liabilityBusiness Queensland hubs; ATO self-employment guides

Challenges and Forward Planning

Not everyone starts as a business expert reading official guides from Business Queensland or ATO builds knowledge.

Digital ID hurdles, while frustrating, are resolvable with support. During recovery, prioritize health:

Avoid steps backward by focusing on low-risk activities. Document all plans (A, B, C) to track possibilities, ensuring resilience against uncertainties like surgery needs or job changes.

This guide promotes proactive, compliant strategies,

helping individuals in Queensland transition smoothly while on workers’ compensation.

Key Citations