Taking annual leave
Annual leave accumulates based on an employee's ordinary hours and allows them to take paid time off from work.
On this page:
- Requesting annual leave
- Rules for taking annual leave
- How much annual leave can be taken at one time?
- Tools and resources
- Related information
Requesting annual leave
An employee needs to request to take annual leave before going on leave. The process for requesting annual leave is often set out in an award or registered agreement, company policy or contract of employment.
An employer can only refuse an employee's request for annual leave if the refusal is reasonable.
Rules for taking annual leave
Awards, enterprise agreements and other registered agreements can set out rules about:
- taking annual leave in advance
- managing large amounts of leave.
Find information in your award by selecting from the list below.
If you're covered by a registered agreement, check the terms of your agreement for information about taking leave in advance or excessive leave. To find an enterprise agreement, go to the Fair Work Commission website.
How much annual leave can be taken at one time?
There's no minimum or maximum amount of annual leave that can be taken at a time. Provided both parties agree, an employee can take a part day, single day or a number of days or weeks off.
Employees don't need to take all of their annual leave at once.
Source reference: Fair Work Act 2009 s.88
