What Is Seasonal Work? Meaning & Examples
What is seasonal work? It is work that is only available at certain times of the year, such as harvest, summer tourism or the Christmas rush. Under Australian law you are usually engaged as a casual or on a fixed-term contract, and you keep the minimum pay and conditions that your award or the National Employment Standards provide.
The same rules apply whether the job lasts a few weeks or most of the year, so check your engagement type and your award.
What is seasonal work and how it works
Seasonal work follows demand. Employers hire more people for the busy period and let them go, or reduce hours, when it ends.
- The employer hires for a defined season, usually as a casual, on a fixed-term contract or through a labour hire provider.
- You are paid at least the award rate for the classification, and casuals receive a loading in place of paid leave.
- Your hours change with demand, so a roster in peak season can look very different from the quiet months.
- At the end of the season the engagement finishes, and the employer pays final wages and any leave owed.
- If you return each season, ask whether your service counts as continuous, since it can affect leave and your right to ask to convert from casual.
Examples of seasonal work
Seasonal work shows up in many industries, and some roles overlap with shutdowns and intermittent work. The examples below show the range.
- A fruit farm hires pickers and packers for the harvest and ends the engagements once the last crop is in.
- A builder hires extra labourers to finish projects before the summer break, then stands crews down over the shutdown.
- A retailer brings on casuals for the Christmas trading period, with more hours in the weeks before the holiday.
- A cleaning contractor adds crews for a stadium season, so the work is intermittent and follows the event calendar.
- A manufacturing plant closes for its annual shutdown, and staff take leave, work elsewhere or are stood down depending on the award.
Seasonal work rules and key numbers
Your pay and leave depend on how you are engaged. The table covers the main rules that apply.
| Item | What the rule is |
|---|---|
| Minimum pay | Award rates rose 4.75% from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026; check the pay guide |
| Award-free casual floor | At least $33.05 per hour from 1 July 2026, including the 25% loading |
| Casual loading | 25% under most awards, paid in place of paid annual and personal leave |
| Casual conversion | You can ask to convert after 6 months, or 12 months with a small business employer |
| Annual leave (non-casual) | 4 weeks per year for full-time employees, paid out when the job ends |
| Super | 12% of ordinary time earnings for 2026-27, reaching your fund within 7 business days of payday |
| Shutdowns and intermittent work | Terms come from your award, agreement or contract, so check them before the break |
| Labour hire licence | Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT license providers; NSW has no scheme |
Related seasonal work terms
- Labour hire licence: approval to supply workers, required in some states and relevant to seasonal labour hire.
- Construction labour hire: supplying labourers and trades for building projects, which often peak before a shutdown.
- Employer of record: a third party that employs a worker on paper while the client directs the day-to-day work.
- Temp agency: an agency that places temporary workers, often for seasonal or short-term demand.
Seasonal work FAQ
What is seasonal work in Australia?
It is work available only during a particular time of year, such as a harvest or holiday trading period. Seasonal workers are usually casual or fixed-term employees. They are covered by the National Employment Standards and the relevant award, so pay, super and safety protections still apply.
Do seasonal workers get leave and a casual loading?
Casual seasonal workers receive a 25% loading under most awards instead of paid annual and personal leave. Fixed-term or part-time seasonal employees accrue leave like other employees. Annual leave that is unused is paid out when employment ends, so check your payslip.
What happens to pay during shutdowns?
It depends on your award, agreement or contract. Some employers direct staff to take annual leave over a shutdown where the award allows it, and casuals are usually paid only for hours worked. Ask for details in writing before the break, or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.
Next steps
This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice, so check the Fair Work Ombudsman, the ATO or an employment lawyer for your situation. To see how agencies supply workers, read our guide on what is labour hire.
If you are looking for seasonal or ongoing work, visit our recruitment page to register with us.