Why we started
We kept seeing small businesses either paying lawyers huge sums for a straightforward contract review or negotiation, or signing up to software platforms with apps, demos and sales calls just to get a few documents. Who needs to pay all that money, or implement an entire platform, just for a services agreement? We wanted to help, but in a different way.
There should be a simpler option: good contracts, in plain English, as a Word document you can use straight away. No locked PDFs. No entering all your company details into a website platform, not knowing how the document looks while you work on it.
What Simple Terms is (and isn’t)
| Simple Terms is | Simple Terms isn’t |
|---|---|
| A library of plain-English Australian contract templates (New Zealand and more coming) | HR or legal software, or an app |
| Editable Word documents | A system you need to set up or integrate |
| Clause guides that explain the important bits | A sales team, a demo or an account manager |
| A clear price on the website | “Request pricing” |
| Legal information and templates | Legal advice |
What you won’t get
- No app to download or log in to every time.
- No set-up. Nothing to configure, no onboarding sessions.
- No system integration. It doesn’t need to connect to your payroll, CRM or anything else. It’s a Word file.
- No sales calls or “book a demo”.
- No account manager checking in or upselling you.
- No hidden pricing. The price is on the website.
- No new software to learn. If you can use Word, you can use Simple Terms.
How our templates are built
- We drafted a shared clause library. The same clause reads the same way across our templates, so you don’t need to keep learning new concepts.
- Written for use in Australia. New Zealand versions are coming.
- Clause guides written in plain English for non-lawyers.
- Reviewed regularly as the law and market practice change.
Who it’s for
Trades, subcontractors, owner-builders, consultants, cleaning businesses, suppliers, influencers, hairdressers, service providers, goods sellers, MSA providers, creatives, theatres and media businesses, small businesses with employees, and community groups and not-for-profits.
Our values
Keep it simple
Plain English, no jargon, no fuss.
Be upfront
Clear pricing, clear terms of use, clear limits, no sales.
Respect your time
Download, input and go.
Keep it current
Regular reviews as the law and market practice change.
Who we are
An Australian-owned business based in Melbourne, ABN and GST registered, using a team of specialist contract lawyers to draft our documents.
FAQ
About Simple Terms
What is Simple Terms?
Simple Terms is a library of plain-language contracts, terms and conditions, notices and letters. Everything is written by lawyers that don’t like confusing their clients. You can read and understand them and, most importantly, explain them to others so you can come to an agreement that is fair. You have control over your contract.
Who is Simple Terms for?
These templates have been used on $1 deals to $500m projects. Anyone who wants simple and effective agreements can use them. Small business. Medium business. Big business. Trades. Contractors. Creatives. Developers. Influencers. IT service providers. Manufacturers. Supply & install contractors. Engineers. Theatres. Producers. Not-for-profits. Painters. Electricians. Plumbers. Builders. Bricklayers. Online businesses. Goods and service providers. Anyone who uses a contract and wants to be sure they know what is in it.
Is Simple Terms a law firm?
No. Simple Terms is not a law firm and doesn’t provide legal advice. The documents are a practical, plain-language starting point. You might still need a lawyer, but you can do so from a position where you understand what you need advice on.
Membership and pricing
How much does it cost?
$250 per year for everything. No monthly subscription. No price increases.
What do subscribers get?
Unlimited annual access to editable Word template contracts, terms & conditions, notices and letters, plain-language contract guides. Everything is regularly updated.
How do I sign up?
Go to the Join Simple Terms page, complete the form and pay the $250 annual fee.
Is there a discount for not-for-profits and community groups?
Yes. Eligible not-for-profits and community groups can apply for community pricing. Tell us about your organisation and, if it’s eligible, we’ll email you a discount code to use when you join.
Using the documents
Which countries do the documents cover?
For now, Australia and New Zealand. The library grows regularly as new templates, guides and countries are added. We are working on this every day.
Can I edit the documents?
Yes. Every document is an editable Word file.
Should I just download everything at once?
No. The documents are regularly updated as law changes or a change in market practice. It is safer to log in and download what you need when you need it. Then you can be sure you have the most up-to-date version.
What if I don’t understand a clause?
Hopefully that won’t happen because they are written for non-lawyers. Under the Word document download button there is a guide with explanation boxes covering complex topics. You might also need legal advice from a lawyer for your specific circumstances.
What are the grey [square brackets] in the documents?
They mark the details you need to fill in, such as names, dates and amounts. Just replace the text and delete the brackets.
Using artificial intelligence for legal work
Can I use AI to write my contract and save the $250 annual fee?
It depends if your goal is to take on more risk. You’re here because you are trying to reduce your risk. AI is a very impressive word-guessing tool. It is not a lawyer. It can’t give you legal advice that you can rely on. You are not protected for its mistakes. Most of them tell you as much. It’s the same as asking if I found a lump on my body that I was concerned about, would I rely on AI instead of seeing a doctor? Hopefully your answer to that is no.
Ah ha! Gotcha! Isn’t Simple Terms also not a lawyer? Yes. But we are not confusing you by giving confident-sounding advice that you think is legal advice. We are providing template contracts, T&Cs, letters and notices that are written in words and format you can understand on your own, so you can just insert the deal details and get on with it. You will know if you don’t understand something and when that happens you should see a lawyer.
What can I use AI for?
General things about general public matters that are not private. You should not use it for things that you would expect to be kept private if you had those discussions with a lawyer. AI is not confidential. If you ask AI a legal question, or you talk through a legal matter (such as a contract dispute over payment and defects), you are not having private conversations. If you end up in court, the other side can get access to your AI chats and everything you told it about the weaknesses of your case, or your own responsibility for the dispute, will become public and you are in trouble. Lawyer chats get special protection called privilege. Nothing else does.
Can I have AI review a contract I am negotiating?
Not unless you have the other side’s permission. Why? You are making their (and your) confidential information (like pricing or risk positions) public. Do you think they would agree if you asked? If in doubt, ask them about it.
Also, the comments / negotiation points / departures / changes that AI suggests are not great. You get too many comments, they all look similar, and many would never be proposed by a person. Your client now has to deal with very confident and legal sounding questions from a non-lawyer who can’t defend those positions when asked. If it is that hard, go see a lawyer.
Contact
How do I get in touch?
Email us at hello@simpleterms.help, or use the Contact page.