Leave
Leave is time away from work that can be taken for a number of reasons, such as caring for sick family members or going on a holiday. Australian workers and their unions have fought for and won a range of important leave and holiday entitlements that are among the best in the world. Minimum leave entitlements are included in the National Employment Standards. Your award, enterprise agreement or contract of employment may include extra leave entitlements. In this section you will find information on:
Reproductive leave
Reproductive leave is only available at a handful of workplaces in Australia – but union members are working to expand this reach
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/reproductive-leave/
Family and Domestic Violence Leave
This fact sheet outlines the rules for taking 10 days paid Family and Domestic Violence leave
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/family-and-domestic-violence-leave/
Keeping in touch days
Keeping in touch days exist to help employees caring for a new baby or adopted child stay updated with the workplace and their colleagues, refresh their skills and take the pressure off transitioning back to work.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/keeping-in-touch-days/
Paternity Leave and Partner Leave
Note: The ‘Dad and Partner Pay’ scheme has concluded for children born or adopted after 1 July 2023. It has been replaced with an expanded Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme. New parents in Australia may be able to access both paid and unpaid parental leave. To find out more about your right to access PPL, visit our…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/paternity-leave/
Paid Parental Leave
The Federal Government provides new parents in Australia with the Paid Parental Leave scheme. The goal of Paid Parental Leave (PPL) is to provide new parents with a period of time away from work to look after their new child, rest and recuperate. Thanks to a campaign run by union members, Australia’s PPL scheme is improving!…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/parental-leave/
Carer’s Leave & Compassionate Leave
Both sick and carer’s leave (sometimes called personal leave) allow you to take time off work when you need to – without losing income. Like most of your rights at work, these types of leave became law after the union movement campaigned for them and won. You can take this leave if you are unwell,…
Leave entitlements during natural disasters
There is presently no specific universal form of leave to allow employees to be absent from work due to the impact of a natural disaster. If you are affected by a natural disaster, you can apply for annual leave, long service leave or other leave that is available to you. You may also be able…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/leave-entitlements-during-natural-disasters/
Natural disasters and stand downs
Stand downs during a natural disaster In some circumstances, such as during a natural disaster, an employer may have the right to stand down an employee for a period during which the employee cannot be usefully employed. A stand down is when an employer cannot usefully employ a worker because of any stoppage of work…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/natural-disasters-and-stand-downs/
Leave Loading – What Is It and Who Gets It?
Leave loading is an extra payment given on top of annual leave pay. Also known as holiday loading or annual leave loading.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/leave-loading/
Sick and Carer’s and Compassionate Leave
Both sick and carer’s leave and compassionate leave allow you to take time off work when you need to – without losing income. Like most of your rights at work, these types of leave became law after the union movement campaigned for them and won. Sick and carer’s leave Sick and carer’s leave, also known…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/sick-and-carers-and-compassionate-leave/
Long Service Leave
Your long service leave entitlement depends on the state and territory laws where you are employed, or on your Award, enterprise agreement or other registered agreement.
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/long-service-leave/
Public Holidays
Public holidays are government set days of the year where employees can be absent from work for the day, or part of the day. You must still be paid your base rate of pay for this day, unless you are a casual employee. These entitlements form part of the National Employment Standards (NES). Some public holidays can…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/public-holidays/
Annual Leave
Annual leave, also known as holiday pay, allows you to be paid while you take time off work. Annual leave became standard in 1970 after a hard-fought union campaign! Full-time, permanent employees have the right to four weeks of annual leave. If you work part-time you are entitled to the same amount of leave, proportionate…
Maternity Leave
Maternity leave is formally known as parental leave. To find out more about your right to access PPL, visit our Paid Parental Leave factsheet. Maternity leave became standard in 1979 after a long union campaign. Now known as parental leave, the union movement continues to campaign to protect and extend the rights of employees who are having or adopting a…
https://www.australianunions.org.au/factsheet/maternity-leave/