π’ Websites
Websites
Who needs one
For some time now, it has become abundantly clear that the Independent Contractor (IC) status of Doctors is under scrutiny.
Whilst it has never been a simple process to determine who or what constitutes an Independent Contractor and the ATO website has always given one a whole series of criteria or 'tests' to help determine the correct status, the fees charged by Drs and the management fee paid by Drs to the Surgery have been under review. This has a multitude of implications; most talked about is payroll tax.
I quote an article from The Medical Rebublic which in turn quotes from the ruling:
Direct result of making offers or invitations
99.To meet this condition, the offer or invitation must be the reason that the sole trader or PSE obtained the work from the client and there must be a direct causal effect between the offer or invitation and obtaining the work.
100.A wide variety of activities can constitute making offers or invitations (such as print advertising, printing posters, radio and television broadcasting, public tender, having a website and posting internet advertisements), but all require the involvement of making public announcements.
Who must make the βofferβ
106. The offer must be made by the sole trader or PSE.
Implications
As is clear from the above, the ruling doesn't state that each and every IC must have a website (even the headline of the article quoted is misleading).
The operative wording is "making public announcements" of your fee and offer of service and it has been assumed that in this day and age this means having a website.
Alternate Approach
Having a personal website might seem a bit of overkill and I doubt we will ever reach a stage where each and every Dr working as an IC has a compliant website.
However an internet presence isn't the same as a having a website
Google Business Profile
Google, the pre eminent Search Engine offers a free service to host business profiles here.
Not only is this profile free, it is not even a website in its own right. In fact, inside this profile, you could list your Surgery website as the website for your Business.
But, you can list your locations, fees, opening times etc and these can be done independently of the surgery website and you have control over this profile. If you move locations, you simply point your clients to your new location and website. This is infinitely better than letting your Surgery owner being solely in charge of marketing your services. How many owners broadcast the new location of an IC when he or she leaves you think?
Advantages
Because it is Google, you don't need to worry about marketing or SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) or any other issues to make your Business show up on the Search Engine. Not only are you indexed in the Search Engine, you will also be visible on the map. If someone uses a search term, rather than your own name, you will still show up in the results.
For example have a look at a search I typed (obviously Google is location aware):
As you can see, a rather generic search has brought up my name and it links to the practice website. To be clear, the practice website isn't maintained by me. I can easily add services, define areas of service (instead of a fixed address). I could even add an appointment section with a 3rd party integration. I can advertise my fees and opening times here and this should satisfy the ATO that I, as an IC have made an offer to the public.
In this way, an IC can have an internet presence without the hassle and cost of maintaining a website.
I hope this helps.
If there is sufficient interest, I might make a tutorial on how to set up a Google Business Profile
Till then...
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