When you start looking for work in Australia, almost every job ad says one of three things: casual, part-time or full-time. The choice between casual vs part-time work (and full-time) changes your hourly rate, your leave, your job security and even how easy it is to plan your week.
This guide explains each type of employment in plain English, shows the 2026 minimum pay rates, and helps you decide which one suits you best as a working holiday maker, international student or new migrant. All pay and leave rules below were checked against the Fair Work Ombudsman website in October 2026.
Quick Summary
| Topic | Casual | Part-time | Full-time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours | No firm commitment to ongoing work. Shifts can change week to week. | Less than 38 hours a week, usually regular | Average of 38 hours a week |
| Extra pay | Casual loading (usually 25%) or a special casual rate | No loading | No loading |
| Minimum rate (award-free, 21+) | $33.05 an hour (includes 25% loading) | $26.44 an hour | $26.44 an hour ($1,004.90 a week) |
| Paid annual leave | No | Yes, 4 weeks a year (pro-rata) | Yes, 4 weeks a year |
| Paid sick and carer’s leave | No | Yes, 10 days a year (pro-rata) | Yes, 10 days a year |
| Notice if your job ends | Not required under the NES | Yes | Yes |
| Superannuation | Yes, 12% | Yes, 12% | Yes, 12% |
What Is Casual Work in Australia?
Casual work is the most common way for newcomers to start working in Australia. Cafés, restaurants, retail shops, farms, warehouses, cleaning companies and hospitality venues hire many casual staff.
Under the Fair Work rules, you are a casual employee if, when you start the job:
- there is no firm advance commitment to ongoing work, and
- you are entitled to a casual loading or a specific casual pay rate under an award, agreement or your contract.
In practice, this usually means your employer can offer you shifts when they need you, and you can accept or say no. Your roster may change from week to week.
The casual loading explained
Because casuals do not get paid annual leave, paid sick leave or notice, they are paid a higher hourly rate. This extra amount is called the casual loading. In most awards it is 25% on top of the base rate.
For example, from 1 July 2026 the National Minimum Wage for adults (21 and over) who are not covered by an award is $26.44 an hour. A casual worker in the same situation must get at least $33.05 an hour, which includes the 25% loading.
Most employees in Australia are covered by an award for their industry, such as hospitality, retail or horticulture. Award rates are often higher than the National Minimum Wage, and many awards also have penalty rates for evenings, weekends and public holidays. Use the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool to check the exact rate for your job.
What casual employees still get
Being casual does not mean you have no rights. Under the National Employment Standards (NES), casual employees get:
- a pathway to become a permanent employee (explained below)
- 2 days of unpaid carer’s leave per occasion
- 2 days of unpaid compassionate leave per occasion
- 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave per year
- unpaid community service leave
- superannuation paid by the employer (12%)
- protection under Australian workplace laws, including minimum wages
If you have worked for the same employer as a casual on a regular and systematic basis for at least 12 months, and you expect that to continue, you can also request flexible working arrangements and take unpaid parental leave.
What casual employees do not get
Casuals do not get most types of paid leave, notice of termination or redundancy pay, even if they work regular shifts for a long time. If you do not work on a public holiday, you are usually not paid for it. In some states and territories, long-serving casuals can get long service leave.
What Is Part-Time Work?
Part-time employees work less than 38 hours a week, and their hours are usually regular. For example, you might work Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am to 5 pm every week.
Part-time workers are usually employed on a permanent basis or on a fixed-term contract. They get the same minimum entitlements as full-time staff, but on a pro-rata basis. That means you get leave in proportion to the hours you work.
Part-time leave example
A full-time worker on 38 hours a week gets 10 days (76 hours) of paid sick and carer’s leave per year. A part-time worker who averages 19 hours a week gets half of that, about 38 hours.
Annual leave works the same way. A part-time worker on 20 hours a week builds up 80 hours of annual leave over a year, which is equal to four weeks of their normal work.
The one exception is family and domestic violence leave. Part-time workers get the full 10 days of paid leave per year, and it is not pro-rated.
Why part-time can be a good middle ground
Part-time work gives you a stable roster and paid leave, but leaves time for study, a second job or travel planning. Many awards also require the employer and employee to agree on the regular hours in writing, so your schedule is more predictable than casual work.
What Is Full-Time Work?
Full-time employees work an average of 38 hours a week. The exact hours can depend on your award, enterprise agreement or contract. Full-time jobs are usually permanent, but some are fixed-term contracts.
Full-time employees get the full set of NES entitlements, including:
- 4 weeks of paid annual leave per year (shift workers can get more)
- 10 days of paid sick and carer’s leave per year
- compassionate and bereavement leave
- parental leave
- 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave
- public holiday entitlements
- notice of termination, and redundancy pay in some cases
Notice of termination for permanent staff
If your employer ends your permanent job (and it is not for serious misconduct), they must give you notice or pay you instead of notice. The minimum notice under the NES is:
| Length of continuous service | Minimum notice |
|---|---|
| 1 year or less | 1 week |
| More than 1 year to 3 years | 2 weeks |
| More than 3 years to 5 years | 3 weeks |
| More than 5 years | 4 weeks |
Employees over 45 with at least 2 years of service get one extra week. Casuals, seasonal workers and people on set-period contracts do not get NES notice.
Casual vs Part-Time vs Full-Time: Which Is Better for You?
There is no single best option. It depends on your visa, your plans and how much flexibility you need.
Casual work suits you if…
- you want the highest hourly rate now and do not need paid leave
- you are travelling and may move cities or states every few months
- you are studying and need to change your hours around classes and exams
- you want to try different jobs before settling down
Part-time or full-time suits you if…
- you want stable, predictable hours and income
- you want paid annual leave and paid sick leave
- you plan to stay with one employer for a long time
- you want more job security (notice and, in some cases, redundancy pay)
A simple pay comparison
At first, casual work can look like it pays a lot more. But remember what the loading replaces. A permanent worker gets around 4 weeks of paid annual leave and up to 10 days of paid sick leave each year. When you take a holiday or get sick as a casual, you earn nothing for those days. Over a full year, the difference is often smaller than the hourly rate suggests.
From my own experience
I have worked casual, part-time and full-time jobs. Casual suited me best at the time. I did miss having paid days off and paid public holidays, but I could shape my own hours, working when I wanted and resting when I wanted. That freedom felt great.
How Your Visa Affects Your Choice
Your visa conditions matter more than your job type. Always check your own work conditions in VEVO or your visa grant letter.
Working Holiday visa (subclass 417 and 462)
Working holiday makers can do any kind of work. However, you can usually only work for the same employer for 6 months. Because of this, most working holiday makers take casual jobs. Casual work also fits well with farm or regional work done for a second or third Working Holiday visa.
Student visa (subclass 500)
Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while their course is in session. Students studying a master’s by research or a doctoral degree have no work limit. Casual or part-time jobs are the most common choices because they fit around classes. Keep a record of your hours so you never go over the limit.
Permanent residents and other visa holders
If you have permanent residency or a work visa without hour limits, you can choose any job type. Many people start in casual roles to get local experience, then move to part-time or full-time positions.
How to Change From Casual to Permanent
You can change from casual to part-time or full-time at any time if you and your employer both agree.
Since 26 August 2024, the NES also includes an “employee choice pathway”. Under this pathway, you can give your employer a written notice saying you want to become permanent if:
- you have worked for the employer for at least 6 months (or 12 months for a small business), and
- you believe you no longer meet the definition of a casual employee (for example, you have a regular pattern of work and it is likely to continue).
What happens after you give notice
- Your employer must talk with you about what would change, such as full-time or part-time status, your new hours and the start date.
- They must reply in writing within 21 days, either accepting or not accepting the change. An employer can only refuse for certain reasons.
- If they accept, the change usually starts from your first full pay period after their response.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has a free notice template you can use. If you and your employer cannot agree, you can follow the dispute process described on the Fair Work website.
Tips Before You Accept a Job Offer
- Ask what type of employment it is. Get it in writing, ideally in a contract or offer letter.
- Check the award and pay rate. Use the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool. Make sure casual offers include the loading.
- Check your payslip. It should show your hours, rate, any loading or penalty rates, tax withheld and super.
- Watch for sham arrangements. It is illegal for an employer to knowingly mislead a permanent employee into becoming casual, or to dismiss someone in order to rehire them as a casual.
- Give your TFN. Provide your Tax File Number to your employer so you are not taxed at the highest rate.
- Get help if something is wrong. The Fair Work Ombudsman gives free advice to all workers, including visa holders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do casual workers get paid more in Australia?
Yes, per hour. Casual workers usually get a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate. For award-free adult workers, that means at least $33.05 an hour from 1 July 2026, compared with $26.44 for permanent staff. The loading replaces paid leave and notice, which casuals do not get.
Do casual employees get paid sick leave?
No. Casual employees do not get paid sick and carer’s leave. They can take 2 days of unpaid carer’s leave per occasion, and they get 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave per year.
How many hours is part-time work in Australia?
Part-time means less than 38 hours a week, with hours that are usually regular. There is no fixed minimum in the NES, but many awards set a minimum number of hours per shift or per week.
Can my employer change me from permanent to casual?
Only with your agreement and in a genuine way. It is illegal for an employer to make false statements to convince a permanent employee to become casual, or to dismiss them and rehire them as a casual to do the same work.
Is casual or part-time better for international students?
Both can work well. Casual jobs give flexibility around exams and holidays, while part-time jobs give regular hours and paid leave. Whichever you choose, stay within 48 hours a fortnight during study periods unless your visa says otherwise.
Do casual workers get superannuation?
Yes. Employers must pay superannuation for eligible casual, part-time and full-time employees. The Super Guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings.
Final Thoughts
The choice between casual vs part-time and full-time work comes down to flexibility versus security. Casual work pays a higher hourly rate and lets you move freely, which is why it is so popular with working holiday makers and students. Part-time and full-time jobs give you paid leave, steady hours and more protection if your job ends.
Whatever you choose, always check your award rate, keep your payslips and know your rights. Australia’s workplace laws protect every worker, including visa holders, and free help is only a phone call or website away.
Related Guides
- Minimum Wage in Australia
- Average Salary in Australia
- How to Find a Job in Australia
- Working Holiday Visa Australia
- Superannuation in Australia
- Annual Leave in Australia: Holiday Pay and Sick Leave Rules
