Paid family and domestic violence leave helping workers cope in crisis

An independent statutory review of the Albanese Government’s paid family and domestic violence leave has found the program is succeeding in supporting the financial security of those escaping or experiencing violence.

The Government has today tabled the review of the Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Act 2022 in the Parliament. This was the first of several pieces of legislation passed by the Albanese Government to increase the wages and conditions of working Australians.

Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave entitles all employees experiencing family and domestic violence to 10 days of paid leave each year. This includes full-time, part-time and casual employees.

The review found that of the workers who had taken paid family and domestic violence leave, 91 per cent surveyed said it helped them maintain their income, and 89 per cent said it helped them to retain their employment.

The reform particularly supports women, who are overrepresented as victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

The 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 1 in 4 women in Australia have experienced violence by an intimate partner, compared to 1 in 14 men.

The review, conducted by Flinders University, found the legislation was “life changing” for those who accessed it and that there was broad stakeholder support from both employers and unions.

A total of 12 findings and five recommendations resulted from the review. The most notable, was there should be a focus on increasing awareness and understanding of the leave entitlement through communities and workplaces.

Flinders University found that further work is needed to ensure all employers and employees are aware of the entitlement to family and domestic violence leave.

It also found that ongoing stigma around family and domestic violence was a barrier to workers accessing the leave.

The Albanese Government will now carefully consider the review’s final report and recommendations, as part of our ongoing work to deliver secure jobs, better pay and safer workplaces for all Australians.

The full report can be viewed here.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher:

“Australian women experience unfathomably high rates of domestic, family and sexual violence, and this is something the Albanese Government is determined to change.”

“We legislated 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave because no one should have to choose between their job and their safety.

“We want to ensure that women are not trapped in a violent relationship because they can’t afford to leave.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth:

“No one should ever be put in a situation where they must choose their financial security or their safety.”

“We know the experiences of those who are escaping or experiencing family and domestic violence can be absolutely crippling. Legislating paid leave for those in the midst of violence, undoubtedly has saved lives.

“Along with states and territories, our Government is committed to ending violence against women and children within a generation. It’s something I as Minister have worked on every day since coming to Government.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Murray Watt:

“The review has shown that the legislation is acting as intended - ensuring workers do not have to choose between their safety and their pay cheque.”

“Financial independence is critical in helping women to leave or respond to violence, and this entitlement saves lives, plain and simple.

"This leave entitlement is one of a number of measures taken by the Albanese Government to ensure Australians have secure jobs, better pay and safer workplaces.”