Social Justice & Action
10 days family and domestic violence leave for all Australian workers introduced
10 days paid family and domestic violence leave will soon be available for every Australian worker, after new laws passed the federal parliament this week.
The addition of 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave is the result of a decade-long union movement campaign, led by the Australian Services Union, for this leave to be included in the National Employment Standards (NES).
The bill amends the Fair Work Act 2009, updating the current 5 days unpaid leave, to 10 days paid leave for full-time, part-time and casual employees. This new entitlement will give all workers access to essential paid leave to escape domestic violence situations. These changes will come into effect from 1 February, 2023.
Introducing the bill to parliament, Employment and Workplace Relations Minister, Tony Burke, noted while paid domestic violence leave would not solve the problem of family and domestic violence, it would “mean that no employee in Australia will ever again be forced to make a choice between earning a wage and protecting the safety of themselves and their families.”
The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association welcomed the passage of the bill.
“This has been a long-fought campaign lead by union women and it is a day for the history books,” said Shaye Candish, NSWNMA General Secretary.
“We know one in three women are victims of domestic violence. This workplace reform is incredibly important because it will literally save lives.”