Casual loading

Casual loading is an Australian pay loading, typically 25%, paid on top of the applicable hourly rate because casual employees do not receive paid annual leave and other entitlements that permanent staff get.

It applies to award/agreement-free casuals on the national minimum wage or modern-award rate, and to award-covered casuals on the award rate. It is not a US overtime premium, not UK worker-status pay, and not a bonus for picking up extra shifts.

For a US reader, there is no direct equivalent. US casual or on-call hourly staff do not automatically receive a 25% loading in place of paid leave.