Small business employees in Australia will now get an important new right: they can take up to 10 days of paid family, and domestic violence leave each year.
This means they have the same benefit that workers in larger businesses already had since February 1, 2023, including those who work casually.
This change was made to make sure all Australian workers have the same protection. Nobody should have to choose between their safety and their job. By giving paid leave for family and domestic violence situations, the government wants to support people going through tough times at home. This way, they can seek help and recover without worrying about money or losing their job.
Small businesses were given an extra six months to adjust to this new rule. The government knows it might take time for them to figure out how to offer this leave properly while keeping their business running.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Tony Burke, said that this benefit should be available for everyone, no matter where they work. He believes it can save lives by helping victims of family violence find support at work.
Social Services Minister, Amanda Rishworth, explained that this measure lets victims of family violence take time off work without losing their income or job security. This support can be crucial in helping them leave abusive situations and start healing.
To help small businesses understand and follow the new rule, the government worked together with the Fair Work Ombudsman. They provided lots of guidance and support to make sure small businesses offer the leave sensitively and legally.
Professor Fitz-Gibbon said: “Today’s legislation represents a key step in building more expansive, effective and accessible workplace supports for domestic and family violence victim-survivors across Australia.
“Access to 10 days paid leave for all employees – regardless of the business size – provides important recognition that employers have a responsibility to support victim-survivors during and in their recovery from violence.
“As always, implementation and monitoring will be key to the success of this legislation. It is imperative that paid domestic violence leave is embedded alongside a suite of workplace supports to ensure that victim-survivors are supported to maintain paid employment during and following their experience of domestic violence.
“The continued implementation of this legislation is a key component of the important role that Australian workplaces can play in addressing the national crisis of violence against women.”
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