Tips for Christmas casual workers
Dec 17, 2019
If you’ve scored yourself a casual job over Christmas. Whether you are working for a few shifts or over a couple of months, you have rights and entitlements in the workplace. The Fair Work Ombudsman has free information and tips to help you understand these rights.
Casual employees
A casual employee is somebody who:
- has no guaranteed hours of work
- usually works irregular hours
- doesn't get paid sick or annual leave
- can end employment without notice, unless notice is required by a registered agreement, award or employment contract.
Find out more about casual employees.
Entitlements
Most employees will be covered by an award or agreement that provides minimum entitlements like hours of work, uniform allowance, meal breaks and overtime pay. If you’re not sure which award applies to you, use the FWO Award Finder.
Pay rates
Under the Restaurant Industry Award, the minimum adult (20 years and over) casual pay rate is $24.36 an hour.
Under the Fast Food Industry Award, the minimum adult (21 years and over) casual pay rate is $26.76 an hour.
These pay rates are effective from 1 July 2019 but may change over time. Use the Pay Calculator to check your minimum rates under your award and remember you may be entitled to more if you are working in a higher-level role, on weekends, on public holidays or overtime.
Keeping track of your hours and pay
You should make a record of your work hours. You can use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s free Record My Hours app. You should also receive a pay slip from your employer within one working day of getting your pay.
If you think you aren’t getting paid for all the hours you work, raise the issue with your manager as soon as possible. Follow the steps in their Guide to Resolving Workplace Issues
More information
Visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call 13 13 94 to get further information about your entitlements.
