Changes to casual employment laws

Recent amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act) change the workplace entitlements and obligations for casual employees.

These changes came into effect on 27 March 2021.

By September 27 2021, employers (other than small business employers) need to assess whether any existing casual employees (employed before 27 March 2021) are eligible to be offered to convert to permanent employment. 

Employers now need to give every casual employee a Casual Employment Information Statement (the CEIS) before, or as soon as possible after, they start their new job. 

Small business employers need to give their existing casual employees a copy of the CEIS as soon as possible after 27 March 2021. Other employers have to give their existing casual employees a copy of the CEIS as soon as possible after 27 September 2021.

Quick Links 

• Download the  Casual Employment Information Statement 

Becoming a permanent employee

The National Employment Standards now include an entitlement for casual employees to become full-time or part-time (permanent) in some circumstances. This is also known as 'casual conversion'.

Casual employees can become permanent by their employer offering casual conversion or by making a request to their employer for casual conversion. There are eligibility requirements and exceptions that apply and processes that need to be followed.

However, small business employers don’t need to offer casual conversion to their casual employees. Different rules also apply for offers of casual conversion to existing casuals employed immediately before 27 March 2021 who aren’t employed by a small business.

For more information please visit the Fair Work Website or contact our office on 07 4151 8898.

The Money Edge | Bundaberg