Free Virtual Assistant Contract Template
A freelance contract template built for virtual assistants — with the specific clauses that prevent the disputes most common in your line of work.
About this template
Virtual assistant invoicing has a unique challenge: the work is often invisible. Unlike a designer who delivers a logo or a developer who launches a site, a VA's deliverable is time — spent on emails, scheduling, research, data entry, and a dozen other tasks that keep a business running. This makes clear, detailed invoices especially important. Clients need to see what they got for their money, and you need a paper trail that shows the work you did. Whether you bill by the hour, in task-based packages, or on a monthly retainer, your invoice should itemize the work completed with enough detail that the client understands the value — even for tasks that feel mundane. This template is designed specifically for virtual assistants who want invoices that build trust and get paid on time.
Key clauses in this contract
These are the sections specific to virtual assistants — the ones that actually come up in disputes.
Scope of tasks included and tasks explicitly excluded
Working hours and response time expectations
Confidentiality and data access terms
Retainer rollover policy (unused hours do not carry over)
30-day termination notice
Contract guide for virtual assistants
Time tracking makes invoicing easier and disputes rare
The most important habit a VA can build is real-time tracking. Log your time by task category as you work — not from memory at the end of the week. When your invoice shows '12.5 hours: email management (4.5h), calendar management (3h), vendor research (2h), travel booking (1h), misc admin (2h),' clients can see exactly where their hours went. This level of detail eliminates the 'I don't think that took that long' conversation that hourly billing can produce.
Retainer packages vs. hourly billing
Hourly billing is fine when starting out, but retainer packages are better for both sides of the relationship. The client knows their cost upfront; you have predictable income. Structure your retainer as a block of hours per month at a slightly discounted rate — for example, $50/hr ad hoc, or $40/hr for a 20-hour monthly retainer. Make it clear that unused hours don't roll over — this is standard practice and prevents retainer clients from banking hours indefinitely.
When to raise your rates
As a VA, your rates should increase as your skills and reliability increase. The best time to raise rates is at contract renewal, with 30 days notice. Give your existing clients a 10–20% increase with a clear explanation of the value you're providing. Most long-term clients who trust you will accept a reasonable increase without question. The ones who push back hard are often undervaluing your work — and are worth replacing.
What's in this contract
- Scope of work section
- Payment terms and deposit
- Scope of tasks included and tasks explicitly excluded
- Working hours and response time expectations
- Confidentiality and data access terms
- Retainer rollover policy (unused hours do not carry over)
- 30-day termination notice
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