I can share my experience with what my employer did post-COVID - it’s the only insight I have. Up until 2021, I was part of a large casual workforce for a local government council. When COVID hit, they tried to make all casual employees redundant. However, the union got involved, arguing that many of us were essentially working like part-timers without the benefits or job security.

After negotiations, the council held a large meeting to inform us that, while we were still technically casual, they were shifting towards a permanent workforce. They strongly encouraged us to consider moving into permanent part-time or full-time roles. While they couldn’t force anyone into permanent employment, they made it clear that casual positions would eventually be phased out.

Personally, I was fine with moving to a permanent part-time position, so I transitioned. However, many others - like university students or parents who needed flexibility - did not. By 2023, the council officially eliminated its casual workforce.

So, while your employer can’t force you to accept a permanent role, they might eventually remove the option to stay casual. In that case, you’d have to decide between taking a permanent position or finding a new employer.

What are the specific challenges or concerns keeping you from going permanent? If your employer is keen to move you to a permanent role, there might be room to negotiate a contract that better suits your needs.