Casual Employee Rights Australia (2026)

Casual employees have different rights and entitlements compared to permanent workers in Australia.

Casual loading

Casuals typically receive a 25% loading on top of the hourly rate to compensate for not having paid leave entitlements.

Key rights

  • Right to refuse shifts (with reasonable notice)
  • Anti-discrimination protections
  • Same minimum wage as permanent workers

Converting to permanent

Many casuals can request permanent employment after 6-12 months of regular work.