Section 2

Casual and part-time work

Many ALIA workers are engaged in work that is short-term, or for limited hours per week. Much of this work is incorrectly categorised as casual work. Genuine casual work is irregular. Casual employees have no guarantee of continuing work and each period of employment is legally separate. For that reason, casual employees do not accrue entitlements to annual and sick leave.

In recognition of the non-accrual of leave, a loading of at least 20% of wages is paid in lieu of these entitlements. This is the minimum loading required under Australian law.

Employees who work regular hours are not casuals and should be paid as permanent part-time workers accruing, pro rata, all entitlement that apply to full-time workers.

Calculation of hourly rates for casual workers
This is done by dividing the annual salary attaching to particular work and dividing it by 52.2 weeks per year, then by number of hours worked. A 20% loading is then added.

Any queries on these rates or the basis of calculations should be addressed to ALIA National Office (please remove '.nospam' from address) or 02-6215 8228.