Domestic Violence Leave Provisions Enhanced for NSW Government Employees

The NSW Government has doubled family and domestic violence leave provisions for all NSW public sector workers, with staff able to access 20 days of paid leave per calendar year from 1 January 2023.

The same paid leave provisions will also be provided to casual employees, while access to existing carers leave will be also extended to all employees providing support to a family or household member who is a victim-survivor of domestic violence.

The Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Natalie Ward, said the increase of family and domestic violence leave was a key priority of the Perrottet Government.

“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.

“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,” Mrs Ward said.

Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said the new leave provision is the latest in a raft of improvements our government has put in place to improve work environments for NSW public sector workers, and sets the standard for other jurisdictions and the private sector to follow.

The NSW Domestic Violence Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 656 463 to explain services and support available. The 1800RESPECT online chat service is available as an alternative to calling.

Information about other services and support is available on the “Legal and Justice” page on the Department of Communities and Justice website: https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/justice.html

• Topics:

• The Workplace
• Health & Wellbeing