Daily vs Weekly vs Casual Employment in Building and Construction Award (MA000020)

Selecting the right engagement type is very crucial in the Building & Construction Award (MA000020). The Award recognises daily hire, full‑time weekly hire, part‑time weekly hire, and casual categories—each with different rules for notice, leave, loadings and costing across projects. Ultimately, only tradespersons and labourers can be engaged as daily hire, and apprentices must be weekly hire (never daily or casual). Misclassification can snowball into leave, allowance and termination underpayments across multi‑site builds and labour‑hire arrangements. This guide helps employers match roles to the correct classification and pay them correctly.  

Who Can You Engage in Each Category? 

Under MA000020, you may engage employees as daily hire, full‑time weekly hire, part‑time weekly hire, or casual. Daily hire is restricted to tradespersons and labourers; it’s not available for apprentices. Apprentices must be employed on a weekly hire basis. Casual engagement is permitted but must meet the statutory definition of casual (no firm advance commitment). Document the category in writing at commencement. 

Which Type Fits Which Worker?

When Should You Use (or Change) an Engagement Type?

Decide the employment type during onboarding; review regularly. If a “casual” is rostered in regular, systematic patterns, conversion or reclassification questions arise (and back‑pay risk if leave loading was wrong). Daily hire offers flexibility for short projects but still entitled to leave; they can also be terminated with 1 day’s notice. 

Where Does MA000020 Apply?

MA000020 covers on‑site general building, civil construction, and metal & engineering construction work nation‑wide. It does not apply where another modern award more specifically covers the work (e.g., Electrical, Plumbing, Manufacturing, Mining, Pre‑mixed Concrete). Always check coverage clause and classification descriptors when work crosses industries or when subcontract trades operate under a different award. 

Why Getting Classification Right Protects Your Business?

Misclassifying a worker can trigger leave disputes, wrong loadings, and back pay claims across projects. The Building & Construction Award (MA000020) sets distinct rules for daily hire, weekly hire (full‑time & part‑time), and casual engagements — and even restricts who can be daily hire. 

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FAQs About the Building & Construction Industry Award

Q1: Who can be hired as a daily hire employee under the Building & Construction Award?

A1: Only tradespersons and labourers can be engaged as daily hire; other roles (including apprentices) are excluded.

Q2: Can an apprentice be engaged as daily hire or casual?

A2: No. Apprentices must be employed on a weekly hire basis—not daily hire or casual—under the Building & Construction Award.

Q3: Do daily hire employees get leave and what notice applies?

A3: Daily hire employees are permanent (leave accrues) and either party can end employment with 1 day’s notice (or pay in lieu); tradespersons also get 1 hour to gather tools at termination. 

Q4: What’s different about weekly hire (full‑time or part‑time)?

A4: Weekly hire employees—including apprentices—work an average of 38 hrs (full‑time) or agreed part‑time hours, receive the full NES leave suite, and require standard notice periods. 

Q5: What is the casual loading (and minimum engagement) I must pay?

A5: Casuals get a 25% loading in lieu of paid leave/notice and must be paid for a minimum shift period (commonly 4 hrs—check your sector clause). 

Q6: When should I review long‑term casuals for conversion to permanent?

A6: If a casual person has worked a regular pattern long enough to meet NES thresholds, they can request (or be offered) conversion to full‑time or part‑time—review patterns at least every 6–12 months (timelines vary by business size).

Read More：

Building & Construction Award [MA000020] 2025: Pay Rates & Rights

Apprentice Wages in Building & Construction Award 2025

Legally Compliant Rosters for Building & Construction in 2025

Building and Construction General On-site Award Guide [MA000020]

How to Avoid Fair Work Penalties for Unpaid Wages in Construction