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Employing a casual worker directly: a checklist for Melbourne businesses

When you employ a casual yourself, these jobs are yours, as they are for anyone you employ. Each step links to the official source, which has the detail and the current figures.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. It is not a complete list of what an employer must do: your award, your business and the work itself can add more.

Before the first shift

  1. 1.The rate for that day

    Pay at least the award rate for the work on that day, with any weekend, public holiday or other penalty rate included, and any minimum engagement your award sets for a casual. Check it in the Fair Work Pay Calculator before you post or advertise the shift.

  2. 2.WorkCover insurance

    Check whether you need to register for WorkCover insurance with WorkSafe Victoria, and how to register if you do.

  3. 3.PAYG withholding

    Register for PAYG withholding before you first need to withhold. Then withhold tax from each pay and report it to the ATO.

  4. 4.Work rights

    If the worker holds a visa, check that it lets them do the work. VEVO shows a visa holder’s work conditions; you need their consent to check.

  5. 5.Sight every licence or ticket yourself

    If the work needs one, ask to see it before work starts and check it is current: a White Card for construction work, a high risk work licence such as a forklift licence, a truck licence for the class of vehicle, or an RSA where alcohol is served.

When they start

  1. 6.The information statements

    Give every new employee the Fair Work Information Statement, and give a casual the Casual Employment Information Statement as well, before or as soon as possible after they start.

  2. 7.Tax file number declaration

    Ask them to complete a Tax file number declaration. The ATO explains what you do with it, and by when.

  3. 8.Choice of super fund

    Offer them a choice of super fund using the ATO’s standard choice form. If they don’t choose one, the ATO explains what to do next.

Paying them

  1. 9.Super

    Pay super for an eligible worker into their fund. The ATO sets out who is eligible, how much and when it is due.

  2. 10.Pay slips and records

    Give a pay slip within one working day of each payday. Keep employee records, including the hours a casual works and what you paid them, for seven years.

Also check

  1. 11.Payroll tax

    Check whether it applies to you. Wages you pay a casual you employ directly count towards your own total wages.

Posting a casual shift on Sagora

You post the shift free and choose who works it. They're your own casual employee: you pay wages, super and PAYG directly. Wages never pass through Sagora. How Sagora works and what it charges

Not advice about your circumstances. If you are unsure, ask your accountant.