Casual or permanent hospitality work: which is right for you?

Casual work

• Hours can change from week to week
• Casual employees are generally paid a loading on top of the base rate, 25% under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020
• No paid annual or sick leave in the usual way
• You can often say yes or no to shifts

Permanent work (full time or part time)

• More regular hours and a more predictable income
• Paid leave, such as annual and personal leave
• Longer notice periods when the job ends
• Less flexibility, because the roster is part of the job

Which suits whom

• Casual suits students, people who need flexibility, and people trying different venues
• Permanent suits people who want stable income, such as a mortgage or rent, and a clear path to a supervisor or manager role

Can casual turn into permanent?

Often yes. Venues like reliable casuals and many offer permanent roles to people who show up and do the job well. There are also rules about when long-term, regular casual staff can ask to move to permanent. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman website for the current rules.

Check your own pay

Minimum rates depend on the award, your classification, your age and the hours you work. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman pay calculator, and compare it with your payslip.