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 January 1, 2023.

The same paid leave provisions will be provided to casual employees, while access to existing carers' leave will also be 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.

“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 sand their family,” Ms 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 provision was the latest in a raft of improvements the government had put in place to improve work environments for NSW public sector workers and set 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 the services and supports available.

The 1800RESPECT online chat service is an alternative to calling.

Information about other services and supports is available on the ‘Legal and Justice’ page on the Department of Communities and Justice website at https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/justice.html.

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