Job security in Australia had become more elusive for many workers in the country. According to the Australian Council of Trade Unions, casual employment rates have doubled in 25 years.

Besides casual form of employment, other work arrangements considered insecure, such as fixed or short-term contracts, labour hire and contracting, make up 40 per cent of Australia's workforce, said ACTU President Ged Kearney.

To address this growing problem the ACTU launched Monday an independent probe on insecure work on the growth and spread of such types of employment and how it affects workplace rights, family finances and the Australian society.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Brian Howe will chair the inquiry and Paul Munro, a former senior member of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, will be the deputy chair.

"Workers have told us that insecure work makes it harder for them to manage the household finance, to spend time with their family and friends, and to plan for the future. The job of our new inquiry is to shine a light on the plight of insecure workers in Australia, and work out what government, employers and unions should be doing to help them," Kearney said in a statement.

"I am concerned that as work become more insecure, it not only puts pressure on the mortgage and household finances if people can't get decent paid work, but it is also putting a terrible strain on their family lives and their communities," Howe said.

Australia Industry Group Director of National Workplace Relations Stephen Smith disputed the figure provided by ACTU. He maintained that the current level of casual employment in Australia is the same as five and 10 years ago, which is 20 per cent of the workforce.

Smith said another investigation into insecure employment forms in not necessary because over the years different independent probes into non-standard forms of employment had been conducted by various government bodies.

"The ACTU attempts to limit flexible work arrangements are not in the interests of employers, employees or the community. Employers need flexibility to maintain productivity and competitiveness. Employees need flexibility to meet family responsibilities and lifestyle choices. The community needs flexibility to achieve economic growth, high levels of employment and increased workforce participation," Smith said in a statement.

He said that there are casual conversion clauses for many companies that give workers the right to request for conversion to permanent employment after six continuous months on the job which employers could only refuse if there are reasonable circumstances. Smith said when offered to become fulltime and permanent workers, very few casuals opt because they do not want to lose their flexibility of casual loading.

"Australia's future success depends upon the maintenance of flexible workplaces," Smith insisted.