Taking leave from work

The leave you are entitled to will depend on whether you are employed on a full-time, part-time or casual basis and which award or agreement covers your job.

 

Generally, if you work part-time you should receive all the leave entitlements of a full-time employee on a pro-rata or proportional basis.

 

If you are a casual worker you should receive an additional payment, called a loading, instead of getting sick leave and other entitlements, plus an additional 1/12th of the hourly rate each hour for holiday pay. Check your award/agreement for details.

 

The main types of leave available to full-time and part-time employees are:

 

There are also other types of leave:

 

Parental leave

 

Available for all employees having or adopting a child, unless otherwise specified in an award or agreement.

 

Parental leave can be:

  • maternity leave, taken by female employees during or after pregnancy. The period of leave available is up to 52 weeks.
  • paternity leave, for male employees whose spouse is having a child.
  • adoption leave, for parents who have adopted a child under 18 years of age.

 

Personal carers' leave

 

Leave you can take to care for a family member who is sick. If you take personal carers' leave you must be the one responsible for the care of the person who is sick. This type of leave is paid and comes from your current or accumulated sick leave.

 

Leave without pay

 

A form of leave granted when your employer allows you to take time off work, without pay, for a specified period.

 

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