Work & Family

As of 19 December 2005 extra parental leave arrangements apply for NSW working parents on state awards including:

• an additional period of up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave
• a maximum of eight weeks simultaneous unpaid parental leave 
• a part-time return to work.

Eligible parents working under state awards have the right to request these conditions of their employer. The employer is obliged to consider and only refuse on reasonable grounds. Such grounds might include cost, lack of adequate replacement staff, loss of efficiency and the impact on customer service.

Standard carers leave provisions under state awards have also been amended to:

• extend existing paid carer's leave to include emergency situations
• authorise unpaid absences for casual employees who need time off to attend to family care, bereavements and emergencies.

More details on extra parental leave as of 19th December 2005.