Casual Employment Changes from 26 August 2024

Casual employment was first defined in the Fair Work Act in 2021 as employment lacking an advance commitment to an ongoing pattern of work. The contract of employment is central to determining whether there was an advance commitment to an ongoing pattern of work under this definition. The amendments at the time also introduced a casual conversion mechanism triggered at the employee’s 12-month anniversary. However, the definition, relevant characteristics and conversion rights of casual employment are set to change again from 26 August 2024.