Casual work is insecure, report finds

CASUAL workers are worried about their job security and have unstable pay, the latest official data shows.

The nation's 2.1 million casual employees were more likely to be young, part-time workers in jobs in which their hours varied.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data released on Tuesday showed almost half, or 47 per cent, of casual workers had earnings, excluding overtime, which changed with each pay.

By comparison, 16 per cent of permanent employees saw their pay packets change each time.

The ABS social trends report identified a high level of concern about job security among casual workers.

"Particular area of concern include the fact that casuals may not be given notice, or severance pay, in the case of dismissal and uncertainty around pay amounts from pay period to pay period," it said.

"While some casuals keep their jobs for long periods, many are in short-term, irregular jobs characterised by high levels of employment insecurity and high turnover."

The data, covering 27,000 workers, also showed 35 per cent of casuals had varying shift hours from week to week, compared with 17 per cent for non-casuals.

The information based on household surveys was compiled between April and July 2007, when the previous Howard government's WorkChoices regime was in place.

Labor is in the process of dismantling the previous regime, and replacing it with Fair Work Australia, which includes more protection from unfair dismissal.

Casual workers made up a quarter of the labour force in 2007, compared with 21 per cent in 1992.

Two-fifths of them were aged between 15 and 24, versus 14 per cent for other employees.