A new version of the Fixed Term Contract Information Statement (FTCIS) has been published, following recent changes to additional fixed term contract exceptions.
Reminder: Fixed term contracts
Since 6 December 2023, there have been limitations on how fixed term contracts can be used. These include time limitations, renewal limitations and consecutive contract limitations.
There are exceptions to when these limitations apply. Some of the exceptions (known as the additional exceptions) relate to specific sectors. Previously, all of the additional exceptions were temporary.
Changes to additional fixed term contract exceptions
From 1 November 2025, changes apply to the additional exceptions.
The changes include:
- ending temporary exceptions for some sectors
- extending temporary exceptions for some sectors to 1 November 2026 with additional requirements
- making the exceptions for some sectors ongoing.
Exceptions that have ended
From 1 November 2025, there are no longer additional exceptions for certain fixed term contracts for:
- the higher education sector
- employees engaged at a public hospital.
This means that in these sectors the limitations will apply to fixed term contracts entered into on or after 1 November 2025, unless another exception applies. For example, exceptions may still apply to employees of some employers covered by the Higher Education Academic Staff Award and the Higher Education General Staff Award in certain circumstances.
Extended exceptions
The temporary exceptions have been extended to 1 November 2026 in the:
- charities and not-for-profit sector
- medical or health research sector.
There are now also thresholds for the employer's total annual revenue for the exceptions to apply in these sectors. These thresholds only apply to fixed term contracts entered into on or after 1 November 2025. Learn more about these thresholds from our Additional fixed term contract exceptions page.
Ongoing exceptions
From 1 November 2025, there is no end date for the exceptions in the:
- organised sport sector
- high performance sport sector.
This means the exception has been made ongoing for certain fixed term contracts in these sectors.
New Fixed Term Contract Information Statement published
We have published a new FCTIS to reflect recent changes to the additional exceptions.
The FTCIS provides fixed term employees with information about fixed term employment, including the rules about when fixed term contracts are allowed to be made.
A fixed term contract terminates at the end of a set period. For example, the contract ends on a set date or after a set period of time or a season.
Employers need to give fixed term employees the version of the FTCIS that's in place when the employer enters into a fixed term contract with the employee. If a contract begins after 1 November 2025, they need to provide this new version.
Download the new version from our Fixed Term Contract Information Statement page.
What you can do now
You can:
- read the updated list of additional exceptions at Additional fixed term contract exceptions
- download an updated copy of the Fixed Term Contract Information Statement.
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