In Australia, there are more than two million workers employed as a casual.
Workers in Australia now have new laws that offer greater protection to casual workers from exploitation and make it easier for casual workers who want to convert to permanent to do so!
Note: This is general information only, and for more specific advice you should speak to your union.
Note: This is general information only, and for more specific advice you should speak to your union.
The legal definition of ‘casual employee’ that existed until very recently effectively let an employer call any employee a casual. It has been replaced with a new definition.
The new definition says that an employee is a casual only if:
Under the new definition, if you are working the same hours on the same days each week, there’s a good chance you might be casual in name only.
As part of the new changes, a pathway will be introduced for some employees to change to permanent employment if they want to:
There are certain eligibility requirements. You need to:
You can’t request to change to permanent employment if you’ve already made this request in the last six months, among other grounds.
You need to make the request in writing, and your employer must respond to you within 21 days and must give reasons if they deny the request.
Reach out to your union for more specific information about how you and your workmates can make the most of casual rights in your workplace, or enter your details below to receive updates on your rights at work.
Read more about your new rights at work.
This publication has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations through the Productivity, Education and Training Fund grant program.