Temp work is vastly different from being a permanent employee of an organisation. While you are performing work which is similar to that of a permanent employee, as a temp worker you have different rights and responsibilities to them.

There is no set definition of temporary when it comes to working. Australia operates on the ‘award’ system, with each award having its own definition of what it means to be casual. This lack of a consistent definition presents a challenge for employers and employees alike. For example, the definition for Clerks – Private Sector Award 2010, defines a casual employee as “an employee engaged as such”. This definition presents problems because it doesn’t define what is meant by ‘casual’. We’ll make things easier though. Here is what a temporary employee should define casual work as;

There will, of course, be some variations that don’t perfectly fit these definitions. Overall though, a casual/temporary position is one that is intended to last for a limited amount of time, or be undertaken for a specific reason.

There are many awards without a clear definition of what notice an employer needs to provide a temporary employee and, vice-versa, what notice a temporary worker has to give their on hire employer/recruiter. This means that there can be a lot of confusion for both parties involved. No matter the lack of definition though, there are some basic business guidelines that should be followed;

Should you need to leave your temporary assignment, no matter the reason, you should always give as much notice as possible. If your recruitment agency has the time to secure a replacement, then the on hire employer will be left with less risk of being caught out. That allows you to leave the position in good standing and prevent ill will.

There are several benefits to working on a temporary basis. If you are looking for something to fill in time between permanent jobs, then a temporary role can ensure you are still making some money during your downtime.

If you are coming back to the working world after taking a break, then temporary employment provides a great opportunity for you to update your work experience and showcase that you are still employable. If you’ve worked in the same industry for some time and aren’t sure how you’ll adjust to a different one, then taking on temporary work in the new sector is a great way to gain practical insight into the industry. You want to minimise accepting a permanent role and then having to leave because it’s not right for you after all. Think of it as allowing you to try before you buy. Temporary work also helps to ensure your skills are up-to-date.

Temporary work gives you lots of exposure to plenty of different companies, industries, business cultures, and systems. It helps you to better decide what you want out of your long-term work and open brand new doors and create new opportunities for you.