Full-time, part-time, and casual employees in Western Australia are now entitled to 10 days paid leave for family and domestic violence

• NEW ENTITLEMENT: All employees—including casuals—can access 10 days paid leave annually for family and domestic violence, available immediately and resetting each work anniversary.

• POLICY IMPACT: The scheme supports victims by letting them take time off to secure safety, attend court, seek medical or legal help, or access police and counselling services without losing income.

• ECONOMIC & SOCIAL BENEFITS: Paid leave empowers employees to escape violence and maintains their financial stability, reducing employment gaps for affected women by up to 9.4%.

• COST TO EMPLOYERS: New studies estimate the annual employer cost to be between $13.1–$34.3 million, but highlight positive cultural and productivity outcomes for businesses implementing the policy.

• LEGAL & INDUSTRIAL CONTEXT: The entitlement is part of the National Employment Standards—expanding from five days unpaid leave—and applies to small and large businesses under state and federal laws.

• EMPLOYEE PROTECTIONS: The definition of family and domestic violence covers a wide range of abusive behaviours from relatives, partners, or household members; confidentiality is strictly managed

▢ Employers must update leave policies and educate managers about documentation and confidentiality requirements.
▢ HR teams should promote the leave entitlement and create support mechanisms for affected staff.
▢ Businesses can seek further guidance from Wageline, Fair Work Ombudsman, or advocacy groups to ensure compliance and best practice.