As of 1 August 2023, employees of small businesses are able to access 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave in a 12-month period. Note that employees of non-small businesses were able to access this leave from 1 February 2023.

What employers need to know:

• Full-time, part-time and casual employees can take 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave in a 12-month period (it is not pro-rated for part-time or casual employees).
• All 10 days are available upfront – it is not accrued.
• The leave doesn’t accumulate from year to year if it’s not used.
• It’s a separate paid leave entitlement, similar to paid annual leave or paid sick and carer’s leave.
• Employers must not include certain information on an employee’s pay slip about taking paid family and domestic violence leave.
• This leave entitlement replaces the previous 5 days of unpaid family and domestic violence leave under the National Employment Standards (NES).

For additional information on the leave, employers should consult the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ webpage which details the initiative: https://smallbusiness.10dayspaidfdvleave.com.au/