wa.man
That's the attitude. We DON'T need more people like you.
Sarah, yes it's true, unfortunately the days of permanent positions being offered with QF are rare and any positions these days seem to be casual through MAM. However there are people who have already been on the shortlist for 12+ months who apparently have been told that they will hear in February what's going to happen to them, the mention of fixed term contracts has come up. As to what this means for the future i have no idea.
In regards to permanent positions, it does happen. They have to offer permanent positions somewhere along the line and i think these positions will always be offered to current MAM casuals as per the current agreement of casuals lodging their expressions of interest for full time which covers a 12 month period. They have to fill out an expression of interest form for full time which covers a 12 month period and if nothing comes up in that time, then they fill out another one for the next 12 months. If permanents are required and they decide to use career progression people, career progression isn't triggered until 32 external applicants (ie casuals or people "off the street") are made permanent like what's recently happened.
I think permanent positions do get offered, but they are minimal and there is a lot of waiting. As for having to fork out money for medicals and first aid certificates etc, that is a basic requirement for the job, if you're not willing to do this, then don't apply, there's plenty of people that will.
Oz