Important information for long term casual employees

Have you been employed as a casual for more than 12 months? You may be entitled to convert to permanent full-time or part-time work under new rules for casual employees. Find out more about this important union win!

If you:

• Work for a business with more than 15 employees;
• Were employed before 27 March 2021;
• Have been employed by your employer for 12 months; and
• Have worked a regular pattern of hours on an ongoing basis for at least the last six months; and
• Could continue working these hours as a full-time or part-time employee without significant changes,

then your employer is probably required offer you permanent work by 27 September 2021.

They don’t need to offer you permanent employment if you’re not eligible or they have ‘reasonable grounds’ not to offer you permanent work. This depends on the circumstances of the business. If you receive an offer of permanent work, you have 21 days to make up your mind about accepting it. You should put your response in writing.  If you say ‘no’ to the offer, you can’t ask to be made permanent for another six months. After 28 September, you can make a request to be made permanent at any time. If your employer turns you down, you need to wait six months before making another request.  

For employees of small businesses (less than 15 employees) the rules are different. Your employer doesn’t need to make an offer but you can ask to be made permanent at any time.

If you’re an ASU member we can provide you advice about converting to permanent employment. Join the ASU at www.asu.asn.au/ASUJOIN.

If you would like more information, please contact your branch: