What is casual loading?
If you’re managing a business or team with casual employees, there are a few key differences to note when it comes to entitlements – especially in comparison with permanent staff. While it’s true casual employees typically receive fewer benefits, entitlements such as casual loading exist to compensate for the disparity. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about casual loading, including casual loading rates and how to calculate it.
How casual loading works
Casual loading is an additional rate of pay given to casual employees. It is to compensate for the lack of benefits (e.g. sick leave) available to casual employees in comparison to permanent staff. For example, a casual employee will receive a higher hourly rate than a permanent employee for doing the same job.
When is casual loading paid?
Casual loading is paid during each pay period and included in a casual employee's regular wage. It is not accumulated like leave entitlements because casual employees don’t receive paid leave. Instead, it is only paid for the hours actually worked and usually after the work has been completed.
What does casual loading compensate for?
Unlike full-time or part-time permanent employees, casual workers are not entitled to paid leave. When a casual employee is sick, needs to take time off or goes on holiday, they are not paid for the days they don’t work. Casual loading is used to compensate for the lack of these entitlements, as well as the uncertainty of guaranteed hours and job security.
Is casual loading mandatory?
IIn Australia, casual loading is legally required. Casual workers are typically employed under an award, enterprise agreement or employment contract, which includes an employer’s obligation to pay casual loading. Different awards or agreements may specify different casual loading rates but regardless of the variation, it is mandatory. Similarly, different states may have minimum casual pay rates, but casual loading applies regardless of the base rate or industry. Australia also has National Employment Standards (NES), a set of mandatory employment conditions that include casual loading where applicable.
What is the casual loading rate?
In most industries, the standard rate for casual loading is 25%. This means casual employees typically earn 25% on top of their base hourly rate. For example, if the base hourly rate for an IT specialist is $100, a casual employee doing this job would be paid $125 per hour. You can apply the same method to a week’s wages by adding 25% of the total on top of the base rate.
Who is entitled to casual loading?
Only casual employees are entitled to casual loading. It must be clearly stated in the employee contract or agreement that they are employed on a casual basis. Permanent full-time or part-time employees are not entitled to casual loading as they receive other benefits such as paid annual and sick leave. If a casual employee transitions to permanent employment, they will no longer be paid casual loading.
Does casual loading apply to weekends?
Yes, casual loading applies to weekends. It may be paid in addition to penalty rates (an extra payment received for working irregular hours) depending on the award or agreement. While penalty rates can vary according to the day or hours worked (e.g. 10% extra on Saturdays and 20% extra on Sundays), the casual loading rate will remain the same regardless of days or hours worked. Although permanent and casual staff can be entitled to weekend penalty rates, casual loading is still only applicable for casual employees on weekends.
Is casual loading paid on overtime?
Casual employees are entitled to higher pay rates when working overtime, which may include (or not include) casual loading, depending on the award or agreement. Here are three of the most common scenarios:
No double compensation: Casual loading isn’t paid when a casual employee works overtime. Instead, they receive overtime penalty rates (which are typically higher).
Cumulative compensation: Casual loading and the overtime penalty are added separately to the base hourly rate.
All-purpose rate: The overtime penalty is applied to the casual employee’s usual hourly rate (base rate + casual loading).
Whether an employee is permanent or casual, the Fair Work Act 2009 stipulates that overtime rates must be paid when an employee works beyond set limits (e.g., more than 12 hours a day).
Penalty rates vary depending on industry-specific regulations and company policy but are often between 100% and 200%. Some companies may also have enterprise agreements that modify the parameters regarding overtime, i.e. different overtime rates for different days or an annual allowance to compensate for any encountered overtime.
How to calculate casual loading
You can calculate casual loading for an employee in two easy steps.
- Determine the hourly base rate
- Add 25% of the base rate to your original number
For example, $22 (base rate of pay) + $5.50 (25% of the base rate of pay) = $27.50 (total hourly wage).
The same calculation can be used for varying casual loading rates by simply replacing 25% with the applicable percentage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is casual loading always 25%?
No, casual loading rates can vary depending on an employee’s award, enterprise agreement or contract. While 25% is the standard rate under Fair Work Australia, it does not apply to all industries and companies. For example, some enterprise agreements may stipulate a higher or lower casual loading rate. State-based minimum wage laws can also affect the casual loading percentage, so it’s important to always check the relevant award or registered agreement.
Do you pay super on casual loading?
Yes, super is paid on casual loading as it forms part of a casual employee’s ordinary time earnings (OTE). It does not need to be calculated separately. Simply add super to the total hourly wage (base rate of pay + casual loading).
Do you pay tax on casual loading?
Yes, casual loading is treated as part of an individual’s gross income. So, if you are a casual employee, tax will be deducted before your wages are paid. PAYG (Pay As You Go) tax withholding applies to your total earnings (which includes any casual loading).
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