An employee is not a casual unless specifically engaged and paid as a casual.

Casual employees are in effect terminated at the end of each day's work.

They get a higher hourly rate than other employees to recognise they are not entitled to personal leave/sick pay, paid annual leave, redundancy pay (in many cases) or pay for public holidays (unless actually worked), etc. In most cases the loading is 15-20%.

Casuals do have access to parental leave in many cases.

Casuals are entitled to Long Service Leave in some states.

Casuals' rights to make a claim for unfair dismissal are different to other workers' (see Termination of Employment).

The Federal government's "Workchoices" laws came into effect on March 27th 2006. The new laws remove the previous right many casuals had to request permanency after 6 months as a casual.

For a small fee - as little as $44 - Working Today can help you to understand your specific situation. Use our online response form, or write us a letter at PO Box 207 Fitzroy Victoria 3065.