Christmas Casual Jobs:

Coles, Myer, Kmart 2025 Complete Guide

 

 

Christmas is the busiest retail period in Australia, with major retailers hiring thousands of casual staff to handle the seasonal rush. This guide covers casual Christmas positions at Coles, Myer, and Kmart, including application details, pay rates, expectations, and the hiring process.

 

Quick Overview: Christmas Casual Jobs

Hiring Period: September-November (apply early!)

Work Period: November-January (6-10 weeks)

Positions: Cashier, sales assistant, stock replenishment, gift wrapper, customer service

Pay: $20-30/hour (casual rates with loading) plus penalty rates

Hours: 20-38 hours/week during peak season

Earnings Potential: $3,000-7,000 for the Christmas period

Key Advantage: Easy to get hired – retailers are desperate for staff

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When Retailers Hire for Christmas

Application Timeline

September:

• Major retailers open Christmas casual applications
• Best time to apply – first choice of positions and shifts

October:

• Heavy hiring continues
• Still a good selection of positions

November:

• Final hiring push
• Limited positions remaining
• Mostly filling gaps

December:

• Minimal hiring
• Only emergency replacements
• Too late for most positions

Recommendation: Apply in September for the best chances and to select your preferred position.

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Coles Christmas Casual Jobs

Positions Available

Cashier/Service Team Member:

• Scanning items at checkout
• Processing payments
• Customer service
• Bagging groceries

Service Desk:

• Returns and refunds
• Customer inquiries
• Problem-solving
• Tobacco sales (18+)

Online Shopping Picker:

• Picking customer online orders
• Using a handheld scanner
• Walking throughout the store
• Meeting time targets

Night Fill:

• Stocking shelves
• Unpacking deliveries
• Facing products
• Usually evening/night shifts

Deli/Bakery Assistant:

• Serving customers
• Preparing products
• Food handling
• Customer service

 

Pay Rates (Casual with 25% Loading)

Age-Based Pay:

• 15 years: $14-17/hour
• 16 years: $16-20/hour
• 17 years: $18-23/hour
• 18 years: $21-25/hour
• 19 years: $22-26/hour
• 20 years: $24-28/hour
• 21+ years: $25-29/hour

Penalty Rates:

• Saturday: 1.5x (e.g., $25/hour becomes $37.50/hour)
• Sunday: 2x (e.g., $25/hour becomes $50/hour)
• Public holidays: 2.5x (e.g., $25/hour becomes $62.50/hour)

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Christmas Period Earnings (21+ Adult)

Scenario: 30 hours/week for 8 weeks

• 15 hours weekday: $27/hour = $405
• 10 hours Saturday: $40.50/hour = $405
• 5 hours Sunday: $54/hour = $270
• Total per week: $1,080
• 8 weeks: $8,640

Plus Christmas Day and Boxing Day if working (2.5x pay)

 

How to Apply

Online Application:

1. Visit careers.coles.com.au

2. Search “Christmas casual”

3 .Select your location

4 .Complete online application

5 .Upload resume

What They Look For:

• Full availability (especially weekends)
• Reliability and punctuality
• Customer service attitude
• Teamwork skills
• Flexibility

Timeline:

• Apply: September-October
• Interview: October-November
• Start: Mid-November
• Work through: January

 

Tips for Getting Hired at Coles

✅ Apply early (September)

✅ Emphasize complete availability

✅ Highlight reliability

✅ Mention customer service experience (even volunteer)

✅ Be available for immediate start

✅ Apply to multiple Coles locations

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Myer Christmas Casual Jobs

Positions Available

Sales Consultant:

• Assisting customers
• Product knowledge
• Processing sales
• Maintaining displays
• Gift wrapping

Cashier:

• Processing transactions
• Customer service
• Returns and exchanges

Stock Assistant:

• Receiving deliveries
• Unpacking stock
• Replenishing shelves
• Stockroom organization

Gift Wrapper:

• Wrapping purchases
• Customer service
• Fast, neat wrapping
• Peak Christmas role

Customer Service:

• Information desk
• Handling inquiries
• Problem resolution
• Returns and refunds

 

Pay Rates (Casual with 25% Loading)

Age-Based Pay:

• 16 years: $15-19/hour
• 17 years: $17-22/hour
• 18 years: $20-24/hour
• 19 years: $21-26/hour
• 20 years: $23-28/hour
• 21+ years: $24-30/hour

Penalty Rates:

• Saturday: 1.5x
• Sunday: 2x
• Public holidays: 2.5x
• Late night (after 9 PM): Additional loading

 

Christmas Period Earnings (21+ Adult)

Scenario: 35 hours/week for 8 weeks

• 20 hours weekday: $27/hour = $540
• 10 hours Saturday: $40.50/hour = $405
• 5 hours Sunday: $54/hour = $270
• Total per week: $1,215
• 8 weeks: $9,720

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How to Apply

Online Application:

1. Visit myer.com.au/careers

2. Search “Christmas casual”

3 .Select department and location

4 .Complete application

5 .Upload resume

What They Look For:

• Passion for retail and fashion
• Customer service skills
• Presentation and grooming
• Availability (especially weekends and late nights)
• Sales ability

Departments:

• Women’s fashion
• Men’s fashion
• Children’s
• Homewares
• Beauty
• Electrical
• Toys

Timeline:

• Applications open: Late August/September
• Hiring: September-November
• Training: November
• Work period: November-January

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Tips for Getting Hired at Myer

✅ Apply for the specific department you’re interested in

✅ Dress well for the interview (retail presentation matters)

✅ Show enthusiasm for products

✅ Emphasize customer service skills

✅ Be available for late-night shopping (December)

✅ Mention any fashion/retail interests

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Kmart Christmas Casual Jobs

Positions Available

Team Member (Sales Floor):

• Assisting customers
• Processing sales
• Maintaining displays
• Restocking shelves
• Customer service

Cashier:

• Scanning items
• Processing payments
• Customer service
• Bagging items

Fitting Room Attendant:

• Managing fitting rooms
• Assisting customers
• Returning items to the floor
• Customer service

Stockroom Assistant:

• Receiving deliveries
• Unpacking stock
• Replenishing the floor
• Stockroom organization

Lay-by Assistant:

• Processing lay-by transactions
• Customer service
• Managing the lay-by area

 

Pay Rates (Casual with 25% Loading)

Age-Based Pay:

• 15 years: $13-16/hour
• 16 years: $15-19/hour
• 17 years: $17-22/hour
• 18 years: $20-24/hour
• 19 years: $21-26/hour
• 20 years: $23-28/hour
• 21+ years: $24-29/hour

Penalty Rates:

• Saturday: 1.5x
• Sunday: 2x
• Public holidays: 2.5x

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Christmas Period Earnings (21+ Adult)

Scenario: 32 hours/week for 8 weeks

• 16 hours weekday: $27/hour = $432
• 10 hours Saturday: $40.50/hour = $405
• 6 hours Sunday: $54/hour = $324
• Total per week: $1,161
• 8 weeks: $9,288

 

Staff Discount

10-15% discount on Kmart products – valuable for Christmas shopping!

How to Apply

Online Application:

1. Visit kmart.com.au/careers
2. Search “Christmas casual” or “seasonal”
3. Select your location
4. Complete application
5. Upload resume

What They Look For:

• Flexibility and availability
• Customer service attitude
• Teamwork skills
• Reliability
• Enthusiasm

Timeline:

• Applications open: September
• Hiring: September-November
• Start: November
• Work through: January

 

Tips for Getting Hired at Kmart

✅ Apply to multiple Kmart locations

✅ Emphasize full availability (weekdays, weekends, evenings)

✅ Highlight any retail experience

✅ Show enthusiasm and a positive attitude

✅ Be available for an immediate start

✅ Mention you shop at Kmart (show familiarity)

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Comparison: Coles vs Myer vs Kmart Christmas Casual

Factor	Coles	Myer	Kmart
Pay (21+)	$25-29/hour	$24-30/hour	$24-29/hour
Staff Discount	5%	20-30%	10-15%
Hours Available	High (30-38/week)	High (30-40/week)	Moderate (25-35/week)
Hiring Volume	Very High	High	High
Work Environment	Fast-paced	Fashion-focused	Relaxed
Physical Demand	Moderate-High	Moderate	Moderate
Customer Interaction	High	Very High	High
Late Nights	Some	Frequent (Dec)	Some
Ease of Getting Hired	Easy	Moderate	Easy

 

 

Which to Choose?

Choose Coles if:

• You want consistent, reliable hours
• You prefer a supermarket environment
• You want less fashion/presentation focus
• You live near multiple Coles stores

Choose Myer if:

• You love fashion and retail
• You want the highest staff discount
• You don’t mind late nights
• You want a department store experience
• You have a good presentation

Choose Kmart if:

• You want a relaxed environment
• You shop at Kmart regularly (discount valuable)
• You prefer a variety of products
• You want a more straightforward hiring process

Best Strategy: Apply to all three plus other retailers to maximize chances!

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What to Expect Working Christmas Retail

The Good

✅ Excellent earnings – full-time hours with penalty rates

✅ Festive atmosphere – Christmas music and decorations

✅ Social environment – work with other casuals

✅ Staff discounts – save on Christmas shopping

✅ Potential ongoing work – may be kept on after Christmas

✅ Work experience – valuable for a resume

 

The Challenging

❌ Very busy – Christmas is the peak retail period.

❌ Long hours – standing for 6-8 hour shifts,

❌ Difficult customers – stress and crowds,

❌ Weekend work – miss Christmas social events.

❌ Physically tiring – constant movement,

❌ Repetitive tasks – scanning, stocking, serving

 

Peak Periods

Busiest Times:

• Last 2 weeks before Christmas (December 10-24)
• Boxing Day sales (December 26)
• Post-Christmas sales (December 27-31)
• January sales (first 2 weeks)

Expect:

• Long queues
• Stressed customers
• Fast pace
• Overtime opportunities
• Maximum hours available

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Tips for Success in Christmas Casual Jobs

1. Be Extremely Reliable

Never:

• Call in sick unless genuinely ill
• Arrive late
• Cancel shifts

Why: Reliability is the #1 valued trait. Reliable casuals receive more hours and may be considered for permanent employment.

 

2. Stay Positive

Even When:

• Very busy
• Dealing with difficult customers
• Tired from long shifts

Why: A Positive attitude makes work easier and impresses managers.

 

3. Learn Quickly

Focus:

• Pay attention during training
• Ask questions
• Take initiative
• Learn systems fast

Why: Fast learners get better positions and more responsibility.

 

4. Be Flexible

Offer:

• Work any shifts
• Cover sick colleagues
• Work public holidays
• Stay late if needed

Why: Flexibility earns you more hours and better shifts.

 

5. Provide Excellent Customer Service

Remember:

• Smile and be friendly
• Be patient with customers
• Go the extra mile
• Handle complaints professionally

Why: Good customer service is what Christmas retail is all about.

 

6. Express Interest in Staying On

Tell Manager: “I’d love to continue working part-time after Christmas if positions are available.”

Why: Many casuals are kept on if they perform well and express interest.

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After Christmas: Staying On

Conversion to Permanent Casual

Many retailers keep good Christmas casuals:

• Coles: Often keeps reliable casuals
• Myer: May offer ongoing casual work
• Kmart: Frequently retains good performers

 

How to Increase Chances:

✅ Be extremely reliable during Christmas

✅ Express interest in staying

✅ Demonstrate good performance

✅ Be flexible with availability

✅ Build good relationships with managers

 

Benefits of Staying On

✅ Don’t have to job search again

✅ Already trained and experienced

✅ Know the team and systems

✅ Ongoing income

✅ Career progression opportunities

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Common Questions

When should I apply for Christmas casual jobs?

Apply in September for the best selection. Major retailers typically begin hiring in late August/September. Don’t wait until November – best positions will be filled.

 

How many hours will I get?

Varies, but typically 25-38 hours/week during peak period (mid-November to early January). Hours are reduced after Christmas, but may continue at 10-20 hours/week if kept on.

 

Will I have to work Christmas Day?

Some retailers open on Christmas Day (Coles, some Kmart). It’s optional, but it pays 2.5 times ($62.50/hour for a $25 base rate). Most retailers closed on Christmas Day.

 

Can I request specific days off?

Yes, but be flexible. You can request time off for important dates (family events), but expect to work most of December, including weekends.

 

Do I need experience?

No, Christmas casual positions require no experience. Full training provided. Emphasize enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

 

Will I be kept on after Christmas?

Possibly. Many retailers retain good performers as ongoing casual staff. Express interest and demonstrate reliability to increase chances.

 

How much can I earn during the Christmas period?

$3,000-9,000 depending on hours and pay rate. An adult working 35 hours/week for 8 weeks earns approximately $7,000-9,000.

 

Conclusion

Christmas casual jobs at Coles, Myer, and Kmart offer excellent opportunities to earn $3,000-$ 9,000 during the festive season while gaining valuable retail experience. With thousands of positions available and retailers desperate for staff, Christmas casual work is one of the easiest ways for students to secure employment and earn significant income.

 

Key Takeaways:

✅ Apply early – September for the best selection

✅ Emphasize availability – especially weekends and December

✅ Good pay – $24-30/hour plus penalty rates

✅ High earnings – $7,000-9,000 for 8 weeks full-time

✅ Easy to get hired – retailers need thousands of staff

✅ Potential ongoing work – may be kept on after Christmas

 

Success Factors:

1. Apply in September (not November!)

2 . Apply to multiple retailers and locations

3 . Emphasize complete availability

4  . Be reliable and enthusiastic

5   . Provide excellent customer service

6 . Express interest in staying on

7   . Work public holidays (excellent pay)

 

Christmas retail is a demanding yet rewarding field that offers excellent earnings, valuable experience, and potential for ongoing employment. Apply early, work hard, stay positive, and enjoy the financial rewards of Australia’s busiest retail period.

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