Casual bartender but i’m paid as a contractor :’)

Hi everyone!

I work in hospo in SA. They made me get an ABN to work at a flat rate, which I’ve now realised is under my award rate. I invoice them and they pay me. I don’t really have any autonomy over how I work.

I did call FWO initially for some advice and they said to settle it with the employer first. My employer doesn’t discuss things over text, he calls or asks me to talk to him at the next shift. I’m uncomfortable talking to him in person and I don’t know how to word any communication with him to satisfy FWO requirements. Might just be a me problem where i’m scared of confrontation too.

my questions summed up:

• what’s the safest way to word the message to my employer?
• is it reasonable to request backpay if i’d been paid under the award rate?
• any other advice before I take this up w FWO again?