The Australian government has flagged its intention to introduce new laws to give casual workers more security. 

The proposed changes will make it easier for casual workers to convert to permanent employment, giving them more certainty about their hours and pay. 

One of the key changes is casual workers will be able to request a conversion to permanent employment after 12 months of continuous service with their employer. Previously, casual workers had to wait two years before they could make this request. 

Over 850,000 casual workers will be covered by these proposed changes, however, it is expected that most employees will not request to be converted to permanent status. 

Federal Employment Minister, Tony Burke, has described the proposed changes as a win-win for business and employees. 

“By giving people secure jobs, you get a more loyal workforce and you get a workforce that appreciates the security that’s been given to them,” Mr Burke said. 

“I don’t see in a million years how this can add costs to business, because instead of paying the loading, you pay leave, you never pay both… and they’re calculated to offset each other.”  

That Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has welcomed the proposal, describing it as “modest”. 

“People who are working regular jobs with regular hours deserve regular rights,” ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said. 

“The government is leaving it in the hands of the worker to decide, if they’re working regular hours, if they want to be a permanent employee, get sick leave and annual leave or whether they want to keep their loading and remain a casual.” 

The ACTU has been campaigning for changes to the laws governing casual work as part of its Secure Jobs, Better Pay campaign.