From 6 December 2023, employers can no longer employ an employee on a fixed-term contract that:

·    is for 2 or more years (including extensions)

·    may be extended more than once, or

·    is a new contract:

         • that is for the same or a substantially similar role as previous contracts

         • with substantial continuity of the employment relationship between the end of the previous contract and the new contract, and either:

      - the total period of the contracts is 2 or more years,

      - the new contract can be renewed or extended, or

      - a previous contract was extended.

The changes were introduced as part of the Pay secrecy, job ads and flexible work amendments. See the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website for more details.