What is the difference between full time, part time, and casual work in Australia?

What is full-time employment?

Full-time employees:

• Work a regular pattern, typically 38 ordinary hours per week
• Have a guaranteed schedule
• Receive the full set of leave entitlements under the National Employment Standards
• Get 4 weeks of annual leave per year
• Get 10 days of personal/carer's leave per year
• Receive the base hourly rate (no casual loading)
• Have the most job security

Few working holiday makers are in full-time employment because the visa is intended for shorter-term work and travel.

What is part-time employment?

Part-time employees:

• Work fewer than 38 ordinary hours per week
• Have a regular, agreed schedule
• Receive the same entitlements as full-time employees on a pro-rata basis
• Accrue annual leave and sick leave at the pro-rata rate
• Receive the base hourly rate (no casual loading)
• Have schedule certainty week to week

Part-time work is more common for working holiday makers than full-time, but still less common than casual.

What is casual employment?

Casual employees:

• Work on an as-needed basis without a guaranteed schedule
• Receive no annual leave or sick leave accruals
• Receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate
• Can typically refuse or accept shifts (subject to reasonable notice)
• May or may not be offered shifts week to week
• Have less job security but more flexibility

Casual is the most common arrangement for working holiday makers, particularly in hospitality, retail, and harvest work. Make sure the 25% loading is included in your rate. The casual minimum from 1 July 2025 is $31.19/hour (national minimum + 25%).

How can you tell which one you are?

Check your employment contract or letter of engagement:

• It should explicitly state full-time, part-time, or casual
• A fixed weekly schedule suggests part-time (not casual)
• "Permanent" usually means full-time or part-time, not casual
• Variable shifts week to week typically mean casual
• A 25% loading on your hourly rate is a casual indicator

If your classification looks wrong, get in touch with our team. We help working holiday makers identify misclassification and recover any underpaid amounts.

How does each classification affect your tax?

The 15% working holiday maker tax rate applies to all three:

• Full-time wages: 15% withheld
• Part-time wages: 15% withheld
• Casual wages (including loading): 15% withheld

All income, regardless of classification, must be declared in your tax return. Our team handles tax returns covering any combination of these arrangements.