Casual Employment Information Statement

Before an employee commences casual employment (or as soon as practicable), employers are required to give all new casual employees a Casual Employment Information Statement (an Information Statement) along with the existing requirement to provide to all new employees the Fair Work Information Statement.

The Information Statement will provide casual employees with detailed information about casual employment, and additionally how an offer or request for casual conversion can be made, in line with the recent changes to the Act.

From 27 March 2021, Small Business Employers (essentially employers who employ less than 15 employees) are required to give all existing casual employees this Information Statement as soon as possible.

From 27 September 2021, all other employers, i.e. non-Small Business Employers (essentially employers with 15 or more employees) are required to give their existing casual employees (who commenced employment before 27 March 2021), an Information Statement as soon as possible.

Small business employers

• Employers are not required to offer casual conversion, but employees are able to make requests.
• Employees are able to make a request for casual conversion at any point, if they meet the relevant requirements to do so (as per the Information Statement).

All other employers

Employers must offer their employees casual conversion if:

• employee has been employed for a minimum of 12 months;
• employee has worked a regular pattern of hours for the second 6 months of this 12-month period;
• regular hours could continue as permanent without significant changes.

Employees can request conversion from 27 September 2021, if they have met the requirements to do so.

Please refer to the casual employment information statement for additional clarification.

*This article is accurate as at 28 April 2021 but is only intended to provide a snapshot and is provided for general guidance only.  It is not intended to be nor should it be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other professional advice.

Our March 2021 edition of the Award Subscription Service Newsletter provides an extensive article stepping out what you need to do to comply with the new laws and answering FAQs. Please contact us at workplacerelations@amaq.com.au for more information about subscribing to the Award Subscription Service.

Register now for the Casual Conversion Webinar for Private Practices to be held Thursday, 29 April 2021 6pm to 7pm: https://qld.ama.com.au/node/703

It is essential you are across these changes to casual conversion laws in order to remain compliant, so let us support you in bringing your practice in line with these new workplace relations requirements in the simplest and most practical way.