A casual contract means you work only when offered shifts, with no guaranteed hours, and you can decline shifts without penalty. Employment New Zealand confirms casual employees still get minimum wage, holiday pay (usually 8% added to each pay), and other basic rights, even without regular hours.
What is a casual contract in NZ?
A casual employment agreement means there is no set pattern of work and no obligation on either side. Your employer doesn't have to offer you shifts, and you don't have to accept them. It's flexible by design, but it still needs to be a proper written agreement, just like any other job.
Do casual workers get the same basic rights?
Yes. Casual employees are still entitled to at least the adult minimum wage of $23.95 per hour, or the starting-out rate of $19.16 per hour if that applies to you. Holiday pay is usually paid as 8% on top of each pay rather than saved up as annual leave, since there's no ongoing pattern of work to calculate leave against.
Source: Minimum wage
Can a 90-day trial apply to a casual job?
A 90-day trial period can be included in a casual agreement, but only if your employer has fewer than 20 employees, and it must be agreed to and signed before you start your first shift. If your employer has 20 or more staff, a trial period cannot legally apply to you at all.
Source: Trial periods
What should you look for before accepting a casual role?
Casual work can be a great way to get your foot in the door with little or no experience, but read the agreement carefully before you sign. Job ads sometimes bury important terms in vague language that's worth decoding before you commit.
- Check whether the role is genuinely casual or actually a regular part time job in disguise
- Look for the hourly rate and confirm it meets at least the minimum wage
- Check if holiday pay is added to each payslip as 8%, and ask if you're unsure
- Ask how shifts are usually offered, by text, app, or roster
- Confirm whether a 90-day trial clause applies and read it before signing
- Clarify if there's a realistic pathway from casual to permanent hours
Key takeaways
- Casual work has no guaranteed hours, and you can turn down shifts without penalty
- You still get at least minimum wage and holiday pay, usually 8% added to each pay
- A 90-day trial can only apply if your employer has fewer than 20 employees
- Always get a written casual employment agreement before your first shift
- Casual roles can be a solid entry point if you have little or no work history
Frequently asked questions
Can I say no to a shift on a casual contract?
Yes, that's the core feature of casual employment. You are not obligated to accept every shift offered, and your employer is not obligated to offer you regular work either.
Do casual employees get sick leave?
Generally sick leave applies once you've worked for 6 months on a regular pattern, but casual work without a regular pattern may not qualify in the same way. Check your specific agreement or ask Employment New Zealand directly.
Is casual work a good option with no experience?
Yes, casual roles are often easier to get into with little or no work history since employers are testing fit with lower commitment on both sides. It can lead to more regular hours over time.
What happens if my casual job starts feeling like a permanent one?
If you're getting regular, predictable shifts week after week, you may actually have grounds to be reclassified as part time or permanent. This affects your leave entitlements, so it's worth raising with your employer.
Before signing anything, run the ad through Decode Job Ad to understand exactly what the terms actually mean.