During the month of August 2021 there were 2.4 million casual employees (23% of employees, 19% of all employed), down from 2.6 million in May 2021, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The main indicator ABS uses for casual employment is whether an employee is entitled to paid leave, which includes paid sick leave or paid holiday leave. These entitlements are usually reserved for non-casual employment (or what some people consider to be 'permanent employment', although there are many people that work as casuals on a long-term basis).

The data also showed that 36% of employed persons had an agreement to work flexible hours, up from 32% in 2015 and 34% in 2019. Less than half, or 41%, regularly worked from home in August 2021, up from 30% in 2015 and 32% in 2019. Approximately a third, or 34%, usually worked extra hours or overtime, down from 36% in 2015. Meanwhile, 23% were usually required to be on call or standby, down from 24% in 2015.

The proportion of staff who worked from home due to flexible working arrangements increased from 13% in 2015 to 22% in 2021.

Meanwhile, in August 2021, the industries which had the highest percentage of independent contractors were Construction (25%), Administrative and support services (18%) and Transport, postal and warehousing (13%).

The largest proportional increases for independent contractors from August 2014 to 2021 was seen in Information media and telecommunications (6% to 10%). The largest proportional decrease was seen in Construction (30% to 25%).