Updated family and domestic violence leave entitlement

As of 1 August 2018, Australian employees covered by an award are entitled to five (5) days unpaid family and domestic violence leave each year (non-cumulative).

According to Fair Work, family and domestic violence means violent, threatening or other abusive behaviour by an employee’s family member that:

• Seeks to coerce or control the employee
• Causes them fear or harm.

A family member includes:

• An employee’s
  • Spouse or former spouse
  • De facto partner or former de facto partner
  • Child
  • Parent
  • Grandparent
  • Grandchild
  • Sibling
• An employee’s current or former spouse or de facto partner’s child, parent, grandparent, grandchild or sibling, or
• A person related to the employee according to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander kinship rules.

Employees not covered

There are some awards that don’t include the new unpaid family and domestic leave entitlement:

• Enterprise awards
• State reference public sector awards

Employer’s responsibilities

As an employer you will need to update your leave policy to include this new entitlement and advise current employees.

Get more information about this new entitlement here: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/family-and-domestic-violence-leave

Download our leave policy template which includes the new family and domestic violence leave entitlement.

Only $99.00

Get in touch with us today to get help with updating your leave policy.