In a long-overdue move applauded by creatives across the Australian TV landscape, Home and Away has officially transitioned its entire script department from unstable fixed-term contracts

to permanent employment. The major change, confirmed by Variety Australia, means writers will no longer be left without pay or security during the show’s annual Christmas production hiatus—

a routine that had been quietly accepted for years.

The decision marks a pivotal win for the Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG), which had been lobbying hard to end what it called an “exploitative loophole.” Under the previous system, writers’ contracts would expire every December as Home and Away paused production, only to be reinstated in January. This practice left dedicated script professionals without income during the holiday season—a time when most families are focused on financial stability and connection.

AWG Director of Industrial and Policy, Bryant Apolonio, shared the victory in a statement:

“The members came to the Guild for advice on whether 2022 changes to the Fair Work Act applied to them, and we believed they did. Together, we raised the issue with Seven, and they ultimately agreed.”

As a result, script team members will now enjoy full-time contracts, including pay over public holidays and protections under national employment laws—an unprecedented move for Australian serial drama.

The Legal Trigger: Fair Work Act Pushes Reform

This industry-defining shift comes in the wake of the 2022 amendments to Australia’s Fair Work Act, which limited the repeated use of short-term contracts in ongoing roles. Soap writers questioned whether these protections extended to them, and with legal backing from the AWG, they challenged the Seven Network.

To the surprise of many, the network agreed.

“The shift to permanent positions comes with benefits, including payment for public holidays during the 2024 production break,” Apolonio noted.

The announcement sets a new precedent not just for Home and Away, but potentially for all long-running television series relying on rotating short-term contracts.

What’s Next On Screen: Cliffhangers and Returns

While the writers secure their futures behind the scenes, the Home and Away storyline promises just as much drama on-screen.

The show ended 2025 with a heart-stopping cliffhanger involving a catastrophic train tunnel collapse. With multiple characters trapped, fan favorites Levi Fowler and Tane Parata defy police orders in a desperate rescue attempt. When the soap returns on 19 January 2026, viewers will finally see who survives—and who doesn’t.

Meanwhile, Home and Away is set to venture into the Western Australia Outback with the return of two beloved characters: Darryl “Brax” Braxton and Ricky Sharpe. Their comeback, teased for months, promises to inject new life into the series and possibly unlock storylines that reconnect to older, darker arcs.

A New Era Begins—for Writers and Fans

This behind-the-scenes transformation signals more than just a contract update—it reflects a broader evolution in how serial dramas value the people who keep stories alive. As Home and Away heads into a high-stakes 2026, both its writers and its characters are facing bold new chapters.

Will this change ripple across the industry? And will Brax and Ricky’s return reignite old passions—or uncover new dangers?