Create a Service Agreement Online in Australia

It's not a legal requirement for most work, but it's the single biggest thing that prevents disputes — unpaid invoices, scope arguments, and "that's not what we agreed" conversations almost always trace back to terms that were only ever spoken. A written service agreement protects both sides, not just you.

For most project-based work, yes — a deposit (commonly 25-50% upfront) reduces your exposure if a client disappears partway through, and filters out clients who were never serious. Your agreement can set the deposit amount and when the remainder is due.

By default, unless your agreement says otherwise, the creator generally retains rights until they're explicitly transferred or licensed. Most service agreements transfer intellectual property to the client on final payment — but that should be stated clearly, not assumed, especially for design, development, or creative work.

This is exactly what a scope clause is for — your agreement can state that changes beyond the original scope require a written variation and additional fee, rather than being absorbed as "just a small tweak." Without this in writing, scope creep is one of the most common ways freelancers end up doing unpaid extra work.

Start with a clear written reminder referencing the payment terms in your agreement. If that doesn't resolve it, the next step is usually a formal letter of demand, and small claims tribunal after that if the amount remains unpaid. Having a signed agreement with clear payment terms makes each of those steps far more effective.

Yes, provided the fee (or interest rate) is stated in the agreement before work begins — you can't add a late fee retroactively that wasn't agreed to. A common approach is a flat late fee or a small percentage per week overdue.

Set a specific number of included revision rounds, and state what happens beyond that (an hourly rate, or a fixed fee per extra round). This is one of the most common sources of scope creep when it's left undefined — "unlimited revisions" written or implied almost always costs more time than expected.

Yes. Electronic signatures are recognised for standard contracts like this under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth) and equivalent state legislation. SignedSorted captures a timestamped e-signature from both parties and delivers a sealed PDF once complete.

They overlap heavily and the terms are often used interchangeably. "Service agreement" typically frames the relationship around a specific project or deliverable; "contractor agreement" sometimes leans more on an ongoing working relationship. Either way, the important terms — scope, fees, IP, termination — are the same things to get in writing.

The core structure is similar, but a retainer arrangement benefits from clearer terms around ongoing monthly scope, renewal or cancellation notice, and what happens if a given month's work isn't fully used. Describe your specific arrangement when creating the agreement and it'll be reflected in the draft.