Workers can be employed in a number of ways:

• Full-time
• Part-time
• Casual
• Apprenticeships and Traineeships
• School based apprenticeships

It is important to identify which category your employees fall into and to inform them when they are recruited as this will affect their working conditions and rate of pay.

Full-time work

Full-time work is permanent work that is based upon a contract of employment for a standard number of hours engagement (generally between 35 to 40 hours per week).

Full-time employees have a guarantee of on-going employment and are paid either a wage based upon an hourly rate or a set salary.

Part-time work

Part-time work is performed by any employee who is engaged for a number of hours, fixed or variable, but that are fewer than those specified as standard hours in the relevant award. Some awards stipulate the maximum and minimum hours for which part-time employees can be engaged.

Part-time workers have a guarantee of on-going employment and are entitled to accrue holiday and other leave entitlements on a pro rata basis according to the ratio of hours worked to standard hours.

Employees may work part-time under an applicable award or enterprise agreement or under a Part-time Work Agreement.

Casual work

A casual employee is temporarily employed for a specified number of hours in a day or week. A maximum limit is usually stipulated in awards regarding the number of hours that can be worked in each engagement.

Casual employees, unlike part-time employees, have no guarantee of on-going employment and do not usually receive pro rata sick or holiday leave entitlements but instead tend to be paid a higher hourly rate.

What is the difference between a part-time and casual employee?

Part-time employees are generally engaged under similar conditions as full-time employees but with reduced hours. They are entitled to pro rata annual leave and sick leave.

Casual employees generally work irregular hours and may not have to work every week. They usually receive a loading to compensate for there being no regular or continuous employment or sick leave entitlements and public holidays are only paid if worked. However, casual employees are entitled to receive pro rata annual holiday pay, which is paid on an hourly basis.