Local Government News

Domestic violence leave enhanced for NSW public sector workers

Eliza Sayon Sep 23, 2022

2 min read

NSW public sector workers will be able to access 20 days of paid family and domestic violence leave starting 1 January 2023.

The enhanced arrangements, which were developed after discussion with unions, government employers and family and domestic violence policy experts, are expected to be applied across the entire NSW public sector.

The NSW Government will be extending the same paid leave provisions to casual public sector 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.

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 NSW 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,” Minister 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 provisions add to other family and safety-oriented measures that are already in place for all public sector workers.

“NSW was the first Australian jurisdiction to include specific provisions for family and domestic violence leave in enterprise agreements and awards for its public sector employees and once again we will be leading the way with comprehensive leave provisions to support victim-survivors seeking safety and care,” Minister Tudehope said.

“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.”

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

Source: Liberal Party of Australia, NSW Division news release. Content has been edited for style and length.

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.