Casual employees are not permanent employees and normally work less than full-time hours as prescribed by the applicable industrial instrument. Casual employment attracts the payment of a loading (as prescribed by the applicable industrial instrument) in lieu of sick and recreation leave. Casual employment is characterized by its ad hoc nature with each engagement standing alone. However, because of historical factors there are instances where employees have been employed as casuals on a regular and systematic basis over a long period of time. This is normally not within the strict definition of the term and many such employees should be properly classified as temporaries or part-timers. The difference between casual employment and temporary employment is that casual employment attracts the loading in lieu of sick and recreation leave whereas temporaries are generally entitled to same entitlements as full-time employees.

Temporary employees are employed for fixed term engagements of specific periods of time. The circumstances for engaging temporary employees are many and include specific budget allocation for a particular project, replacing permanent employees who are absent from their substantive position or assistance required to meet peak workloads. Temporary employees are generally employed on the same conditions as permanent employees as prescribed by the applicable industrial instrument.

An employee, who is employed on a continuing basis to perform ongoing functions, and works full-time hours as specified in the award or agreement under which the employee is engaged.

Persons with an employment category of 'Contract ' should fall into one of the following:

• Engaged under Sections 121/122 of the Public Service Act or similar arrangements under applicable legislation; or
• SES and CEO officers engaged under Sections 110 and 92 respectively; or
• Engaged by administrative arrangement outside the terms of industrial instruments other than by Sections 121/122 of the Public Service Act contracts or similar arrangements under other applicable legislation.