{"id":168855,"date":"2025-12-05T03:21:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T03:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/168855\/"},"modified":"2025-12-05T03:21:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T03:21:11","slug":"home-and-away-makes-a-significant-behind-the-scenes-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/168855\/","title":{"rendered":"Home and Away makes a significant behind-the-scenes change"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"1\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/home-and-away\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/home-and-away\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Home and Away\" data-node-id=\"1.0.0\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Home and Away<\/a> has just implemented a behind-the-scenes change to a long-standing practice right as the show hits pause for the Christmas period.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"4\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The long-running Aussie soap has just seen the Seven Network made a big decision over its writers&#8217; jobs and security as the script department have been promoted to rolling fixed-term arrangements to permanent employment (via <a href=\"https:\/\/au.variety.com\/2025\/tv\/news\/home-and-away-permanent-employment-30649\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/au.variety.com\/2025\/tv\/news\/home-and-away-permanent-employment-30649\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Variety Australia\" data-node-id=\"4.1.0\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\">Variety Australia<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"6\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The news comes after months of advocacy from the Australian Writers&#8217; Guild (AWG), who lobbied to put a stop to the practice of ending contracts as the soap paused production over Christmas.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"10\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">AWG Director of Industrial and Policy Bryant Apolonio said the contract lapses left script personnel without pay or job security at the exact moment the show went on hiatus.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"12\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;The Australian Writers Guild and the Seven Network came to an agreement about moving our members on the script department team to permanent employment contracts,&#8221; Apolonio said.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"sonny baldwin in home and away\" title=\"Sonny Baldwin in Home and Away\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2867\" height=\"1912\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/home-and-away-1-sonny-baldwin-6910797d8e925.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Channel 5<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"15\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Best streaming services\" data-node-id=\"15.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Best streaming services<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"17\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;Previously, those members were engaged in fixed-term contracts that terminated in December of each year, and then were reissued in January the following year, leaving the writers without pay or employment during the holiday period.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"19\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The decision follows the 2022 amendments to the Fair Work Act, which restrict the use of fixed-term contracts, with soap writers asking whether the changes applied to their roles.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"21\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;The Fair Work Act was amended in 2022 to prohibit certain kinds of fixed-term contracts. The members came to the guild for advice on whether those changes applied to them, and we thought that they did,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"23\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;Together, we raised the issue with Seven, and they ultimately agreed to transition the employees to permanent contracts,&#8221; he continued, explaining that the shift to permanent positions comes with benefits, &#8220;including payment for the public holidays that fell during the 2024 production break periods&#8221;.<br data-node-id=\"23.1\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"mackenzie booth in home and away\" title=\"Mackenzie Booth in Home and Away\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2867\" height=\"1912\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/home-and-away-4-mackenzie-booth1-6917c87c2635e.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Channel 5<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/home-and-away\/g69517940\/home-and-away-spoiler-pictures-theo-killer-fate\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/home-and-away\/g69517940\/home-and-away-spoiler-pictures-theo-killer-fate\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Home and Away reveals fate of Theo&#039;s killer in 20 spoiler pictures\" data-node-id=\"26.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Home and Away reveals fate of Theo&#8217;s killer in 20 spoiler pictures<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"28\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Meanwhile, the soap has given fans a glimpse of what lies ahead for the characters <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/home-and-away\/a69501521\/home-and-away-2026-stories\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/home-and-away\/a69501521\/home-and-away-2026-stories\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"after the train accident\" data-node-id=\"28.1\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">after the train accident<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"30\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Ending on a dramatic cliffhanger before the Christmas break, Home and Away will resume on 19 January 2026 in the aftermath of the crash. As multiple characters are trapped inside a tunnel, Levi Fowler and Tane Parata push against police orders to go help their loved ones.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"32\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The soap will also take a look at the Outback as fan-favourite characters <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/home-and-away\/a69080439\/home-and-away-first-look-brax-ricky-return\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/home-and-away\/a69080439\/home-and-away-first-look-brax-ricky-return\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Darryl &quot;Brax&quot; Braxton and Ricky Sharpe\" data-node-id=\"32.1\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Darryl &#8220;Brax&#8221; Braxton and Ricky Sharpe<\/a> are back for a Western Australia storyline.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"34\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5, with repeat screenings at 6pm on 5STAR and first-look screenings at 6.30pm on 5STAR. Selected classic episodes are available via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/amazonprime?tag=digitalspy.com-21\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/amazonprime?tag=digitalspy.com-21\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Prime Video\" data-vars-ga-product-id=\"9d553471-cfb7-4112-9e92-d1b504e9eb3a\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-node-id=\"34.0.2\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/amazonprime?tag=digitalspy.com-21\" data-product-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/amazonprime?tag=digitalspy.com-21\" data-affiliate=\"true\" data-affiliate-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/amazonprime?tag=digitalspy.com-21\" data-affiliate-network=\"{&quot;site_id&quot;:&quot;53fd7fa5-d43c-401b-823b-b21cf6cddcd6&quot;,&quot;metadata&quot;:{&quot;links&quot;:{&quot;default&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/amazonprime?tag=digitalspy.com-21&quot;,&quot;sem&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/amazonprime?tag=digitalspy.co.uk-lift-21&quot;,&quot;social&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/amazonprime?tag=digitalspy.co.uk-soc-lift-21&quot;}},&quot;network&quot;:{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Amazon&quot;},&quot;product_metadata&quot;:null,&quot;afflink_redirect&quot;:&quot;\/_p\/afflink\/10PfQ\/amazon&quot;}\" data-vars-ga-product-brand=\"amazon.co.uk\" data-vars-ga-product-retailer-id=\"aa3dfd4f-079b-40e1-9879-28636a0c2a95\" data-vars-ga-product-sem3-brand=\"amazon.co.uk\" data-vars-ga-link-treatment=\"(not set) | (not set)\" class=\"body-link product-links css-1lh7k7j e1aq0z090\" data- target=\"_blank\">Prime Video<\/a> in the UK.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"36\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 and streams on 7Plus.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"38\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/home-and-away\/\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"http:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/home-and-away\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage\" data-node-id=\"38.0\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage<\/a><br data-node-id=\"38.1.0\"\/><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"41\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The new edition of Living Legends, celebrating music icon Dolly Parton, is here! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/special-editions-subscriptions-lvldollyparton\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/special-editions-subscriptions-lvldollyparton\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Buy Dolly at 80 in newsagents or online\" data-node-id=\"41.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Buy Dolly at 80 in newsagents or online<\/a>, priced at just \u00a38.99.<br data-node-id=\"41.1\"\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Home and Away has just implemented a behind-the-scenes change to a long-standing practice right as the show hits&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":168856,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[635,100266,637,146,1345,85,46,636,100265,411],"class_list":["post-168855","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-85508522-d667-4784-bf15-006e92a98d8e","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-entertainment","tag-hasproduct-true","tag-il","tag-israel","tag-locale-gb","tag-shorttitle-home-and-away-makes-a-significant-bts-change","tag-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168855","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=168855"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168855\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/168856"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=168855"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=168855"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=168855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}