NSW public sector workers, including temporary and casual staff, will have access to 20 days of paid family and domestic violence leave, starting from January 1 next year.
Current domestic violence leave provisions will be doubled for hundreds of thousands of workers, whose access to carers’ leave (providing support to a family or household member who is a victim-survivor of domestic violence) will also be extended.
Currently, the state government provides employees with ten days domestic violence leave, while casual employees miss out entirely.
The increased leave was developed after extensive consultations involving government employers, family and domestic violence policy experts and Australian Unions.
NSW’s Women’s Safety Minister Natalie Ward released a statement on Friday, saying the increased leave accomplishes one of the Perrottet government’s key priorities.
“As the largest employer in NSW, it is our government’s responsibility to provide workers with the support and security to take time away from work to take the necessary steps to find safety for themselves and their family,” she said.
“That is why we have made this commitment to double the amount of paid family and domestic violence leave available to all public sector employees from 10 to 20 days, to give our workers greater support at a time when they need it most.”
“Everyone has the right to be safe both at home and in the workplace, which is why we have made addressing the issue of women’s safety and the prevention of domestic and family violence a priority with record funding to increase support across the sector.”
Currently, roughly 1.3 million employees across Australia have access to paid family and domestic violence leave.
Once the latest proposals are enacted, the number will rise to 11 million.
NSW Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope insists the state’s new provisions will help NSW government employees facing challenging and traumatic situations to seek guidance and support.
“NSW was the first Australian jurisdiction to include specific provisions for domestic and family violence leave into enterprise agreements and awards for its public sector employees and once again we will be leading with comprehensive leave provisions to support victim-survivors seeking safety and care,” Tudehope said.
“This enhanced arrangement will apply across the NSW public sector and has been developed following discussions with unions, government employers and DFV policy experts.”
Under the National Employment Standards, all working Australians are granted five days of unpaid family and domestic violence leave every year.
In July, the federal government submitted a proposal to parliament that allows any Australian worker, including casuals, to access ten days of paid family and domestic violence leave by August 2023.
Employment Minister Tony Burke told parliament the bill “…is a result of the tireless efforts of frontline workers, unions and gender equity advocates who have been campaigning for this entitlement for close to 15 years.”
“Family and domestic violence devastates (the) lives and livelihoods of those who directly experience it, and its damaging impacts reverberate throughout our communities, our workplaces and our national economy,” he said.
“As a nation we can and must do better … workplaces have a key role to play as a source of critical support for people experiencing family and domestic violence.”
Australian Services Union branch secretary Natalie Lang believes the bill marks a significant moment for survivors of domestic violence and an opportunity to remember the victims who have died.
“This entitlement is long overdue and will show women they are valued and their needs are a priority for this government,” she told AAP.
“On average it takes 140 hours and $20,000 to leave violence and set up a new life. [the bill] will make all the difference to women to be able to leave a violent relationship safely.”
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au