Part-time employment
Description
Eligibility for Award employees
Eligibility for non-Award employees
Description
Part-time employees are historically persons on a permanent contract who work less than the full-time hours set out in an award or agreement. Generally, part-time work is defined as work involving less than 35 hours per week and part-time arrangements can vary considerably in the number of work hours.
Eligibility for Award employees
Most awards provide for part-time arrangements. The definition of a part-time employee varies from award to award.
-
The Retail Industry Award defines a part-time employee as an employee who is engaged as such and who is employed for not less than 12 hours per week and not more than 32 hours per week.
-
The Hospital Nurses Award defines a part-time employee as an employee who is employed for a minimum of 15 hours per fortnight and less than 76 ordinary hours per fortnight.
Eligibility for non-Award employees
Employers are free to make flexible work arrangements and introduce them after consultation with employees. There are no restrictions or obligations for part-time work arrangements for non-award employees. However, employers may be mindful of work, family and lifestyle responsibilities of their employees when considering such provisions.
Employers and employees may negotiate an informal arrangement, a formal policy or a formal agreement registered or approved by an authority or tribunal. Employees should contact their human resource department or employer to find out what provisions may already be available through any such arrangement.
Last updated 21 July 2009
Other languages