Casual vs Permanent Aged Care Work: Which Is Right for You?
Here's the honest comparison to help you decide.
What "casual" means in aged care
A casual worker is engaged shift by shift with no guaranteed ongoing hours. In return for that flexibility and insecurity, casuals are paid a casual loading on top of the base hourly rate (under the Aged Care Award) instead of paid leave. In practice that means:
- Higher headline hourly rate
- No paid annual or sick leave
- Flexible availability — you can often accept or decline shifts
- Less predictable income — hours can vary week to week
What "permanent" means in aged care
Permanent work can be part-time (set, regular hours) or full-time. Permanent employees get:
- Paid annual leave and paid sick/carer's leave
- Guaranteed, regular hours and steadier income
- More job security and a set roster
- A lower base hourly rate than a casual's loaded rate
The honest trade-offs
| Casual | Permanent (part-time / full-time) | |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | Higher (casual loading) | Lower base rate |
| Paid leave | No | Yes (annual + sick) |
| Hours | Flexible, can vary | Guaranteed, regular |
| Income stability | Less predictable | Steadier |
| Flexibility | High | Lower |
| Security | Lower | Higher |
For how these rates and loadings are set, see our aged care pay guide — and always check current figures with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
When casual makes sense
Casual can be the right choice if you:
- Are new to aged care and want to try different settings and shifts before committing
- Need flexibility around study, family or another job
- Value a higher hourly rate now over paid leave
- Want to build experience and contacts quickly across multiple workplaces
Many people begin casual for exactly these reasons — it's a low-commitment way to get started. See how to become an aged care worker if you're just entering the sector.
When permanent makes sense
Permanent is usually better if you:
- Want predictable income and a regular roster
- Value paid leave and greater job security
- Are ready to commit to an employer and settle into a team
- Are planning around a mortgage, family or longer-term stability
Can you switch later?
Yes — it's common to move between the two. Plenty of workers start casual, prove themselves, and are offered a permanent part-time or full-time role. In some circumstances long-term regular casuals may also have a pathway to request permanent employment. So your first choice isn't locked in forever; pick what fits your life now.
So which should you choose?
If you need flexibility, are testing the waters, or want the higher hourly rate, start casual. If you want security, paid leave and steady hours, go permanent. A lot of successful aged care careers begin with casual shifts and settle into permanent work once the fit is clear — there's no wrong first step.
Frequently asked questions
Is casual or permanent aged care work better?
Neither is universally better. Casual pays a higher hourly rate and offers flexibility but no paid leave; permanent pays a lower base rate but includes paid leave, guaranteed hours and more security. It depends on your priorities.
Why is casual aged care paid more per hour?
Casuals receive a casual loading on top of the base rate under the Aged Care Award to compensate for not getting paid leave and having less secure hours.
Do casual aged care workers get paid leave?
No. Casuals don't get paid annual or sick leave, which is reflected in their higher hourly rate. Permanent employees do get paid leave.
Can I switch from casual to permanent in aged care?
Often, yes. Many workers move from casual to permanent, and long-term regular casuals may have a pathway to request permanent employment in some circumstances.
