The NSW Government is doubling 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.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said this change was so important when it comes to supporting those impacted by domestic and family violence.

“The public sector remains one of the biggest employers in our region and this important change gives workers the support they require when they require it, making safety a priority without having to exhaust other entitlements like sick leave or annual leave,” Mr Anderson said.

“We are committed to improving women’s safety after the pandemic saw an increase in domestic violence cases, particularly in our region.”

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,” Mrs Ward 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.

Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said the new leave provisions build on other family and safety-oriented measures the NSW Government had already put in place for all public sector workers.

“This 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.”

“Already our Government has enacted nation-leading measures to ensure families, women and children are front of mind in the public sector, including new parental leave policies, and leave in the event of a miscarriage,” Mr Tudehope said.

Leave is available to NSW Government employees who give birth to a pre-term child (prior to 37 weeks). The parent with the caring responsibility is entitled to paid special pre-term parental leave from the date of birth of the child (or children from a multiple birth) up to the end of 36 weeks.

In the 2022-23 NSW Budget, the NSW Government announced new paid parental leave arrangements for public sector workers in which there will be no distinction between ‘primary’ or ‘secondary’ carer, with both parents entitled to 14 weeks of paid parental leave and an additional 2 weeks leave where leave is more equally shared between parents. 

As part of the Budget, the NSW Government also announced five days of paid fertility treatment leave for public sector workers.

The improved family and domestic violence leave entitlement builds on the NSW Government’s record $687 million investment in 2021/22 for a range of for Women’s Safety initiatives, as well as a further $100 million in the 2022/23 Budget.

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 Department of Communities and Justice website.