The NSW Business Chamber has filed a groundbreaking application to create a new type of employee in between a casual and a permanent worker, as a prelude to extending the approach across the nation's hospitality and retail sectors.

The new category of employment - "permaflexi" - would be established within the community services industry award if a test case filed with the Fair Work Commission late on Wednesday is successful.

NSW Business Chamber chief executive Stephen Cartwright says he expects workers to welcome the proposed new 'permaflexi' category. Credit: Jessica Hromas

Workers hired under the proposed "flexible ongoing employment" category would get a 10 per cent loading on top of what permanent full or part-time employees are paid per hour, in exchange for flexible rostering subject to minimum hours.

Unlike casual workers, they would have access to all the benefits available to permanent employees under the National Employment Standards - such as sick leave and holiday pay, accrued relative to the number of hours they work.