From 1 October, casual workers may ask for permanent positions if they have worked that job for 12 consecutive months. 

Fair Work Commission has announced that casuals who have worked a regular shift with regular hours for at least one year may apply for a permanent position, that is to be seriously considered by their employer. 

The grounds of refusal by the employer must be “reasonable”, such as the job not being available in the next 12 months or the significant adjustment to the worker’s hours of work. 

Casual work in Australia usually refers to employment where there is no paid annual leave or sick leave. 

Becoming a permanent employee would guarantee sick and paid annual leave, and a certain number of working hours and pay. For a permanent full-time job, this would be 38 hours. 

The National Secretary for Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) Gerard Dwyer said that casual work has been abused by businesses as a “substitute for decent secure jobs at the expense workers and their families”. 

“Permanent work guarantees workers access to paid sick leave and paid annual leave and removes the very real risk of employers cutting shifts at the last minute, which obviously has a huge impact on people’s ability to plan their lives and manage their finances,” Mr Dwyer said.  

Australian Council of Trade Unions ACTU President Michelle O’Neill said that every employee in Australia should be able to have a secure job.

“Majority of workers that we find and the majority of union members are really looking for the security of permanent employment. And this is a very important change,” Ms O’Neill said.