Freelancing expands into professions such as law, management, accounting, PR and human resources

While freelancing has traditionally been the domain of writers, photographers and other creative artists, a new face of freelancing is emerging.

White collar workers are swapping job security for contract work – and a taste of the freelance lifestyle. Dubbed IPros, or Independent Professionals, research conducted by Monash University indicates it's the sense of freedom, variety of work and a perceived ability to earn more that lures people to make the swap.

Freelance lawyer Chantel Ryan says, for her, lifestyle factors were the main drawcard. After spending seven years in legal practice, the "routine of reporting to an office every day became really tedious and boring," she says. With visions of studying naturopathy, travelling and simply being able to meet up with friends on a whim, Ryan says she decided to "design a life for myself where work fits my lifestyle, not the other way around." Since launching Themis Legal Consulting in January, her initial uncertainty about freelancing has been replaced with optimism.

"I've been amazed and humbled at the support within my own network ... I've also signed up several clients and have been engaged by a professional services firm to consult for them." Ryan is enjoying the mix of work and clients: "I'm still finding my way but it's been great so far." Her experience is typical, according to Monash University research; IPros are generally a satisfied and happy bunch, with 89 per cent reporting they are proud of the work they do and 84 per cent feeling enthusiastic about work.

Communications/PR consultant Chantal Omodiagbe is another happy freelancer. "I've found it really inspiring and almost liberating ... there's a free rein with how you manage your work life and that brings with it a huge sense of excitement that anything can happen in a positive way ... that's a huge motivation."

It's not for everyone, though. It takes "guts" to take the leap and a certain personality to make it work, says Omodiagbe.

"You can't sit at your office or home just waiting for work to come to you, you have to be quite proactive ... attend conferences and business networking events and be happy to exchange business cards without feeling stupid ... all those sorts of things are key to being a good freelancer." The inconsistent workload can also create "scheduling and new business challenges," she says.

Despite the challenges, freelancing is becoming an attractive option for many professionals, says Samantha Wong. In 2014, Wong created a technology platform and business, CapacityHQ, to match freelance lawyers with law firms and corporate clients in need of temporary extra resources or lawyers with specialised skills not available internally.

Wong says the idea for her business began to form when she was working as a lawyer in a top-tier firm. "We would experience rush periods where we desperately needed extra resources and there was nowhere you could go to find experienced lawyers who could step in on a short-term basis to relieve the pressure." Wong expects the number of professionals working on a freelance basis to increase over time given the demand she's observed from both workers and businesses along with "bigger global trends" like the widespread adoption of the internet and smartphones and the specialisation of work.

"The precedent is there in the IT consulting and creative industries and it is now happening in management consulting, accounting, human resources and other professional services... People increasingly want more control over when, where and how they work."