The Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) sought to identify the key issues associated with the employment of casual staff in the red meat processing industry and identify the true costs and benefits to the industry of casual versus permanent employment. The findings of this study have been drawn from a review of relevant literature and statistics, a survey of industry representatives and discussions with labour hire companies and representatives of the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU).

Casual employment is generally defined as those persons who were not in receipt of paid holiday leave or paid sick leave in their main job. They do however receive a loading above the ordinary hourly rate which, under the Meat Industry Award 2010 (the Award), is a 25% loading. Individuals can be employed under a casual contract on either a full time or part time basis. Casual employment is also not necessarily "temporary" - there are many casual employees who work a full 38 hour week on a continuing basis.

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