The legislation was passed last week in Federal Parliament and means more than 11 million Australian workers will soon have access to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave.
The new workplace entitlement will commence on 1 February 2023 for most employees.
Small businesses will have an extra six months to adjust to the change, meaning the start date for those employees will be 1 August next year.
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said the leave will apply to all employees in Australia, including casuals.
“Family and domestic violence leave has to be a universal entitlement,” Ms Burke said.
“Women can be victims of domestic violence no matter what job they work, how long they’ve been in that job, what sort of agreement they’re on or how many hours a week they work.”
In last week’s budget, the government committed to $1.7 billion in investments aimed at addressing violence against women and children.
These include new investments for an additional 500 community frontline workers, consent and respectful relationships education in schools, safe and affordable housing for women fleeing violence, and a new Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission.
