Employer guide to family and domestic violence

Paid family and domestic violence leave for some employees

From 1 February 2023, employees of non-small business employers (employers with 15 or more employees on 1 February 2023) can access 10 days of paid family domestic violence leave. This includes part-time and casual employees.

The information on this page has now been updated to reflect this new leave entitlement.

Employees employed by small business employers (employers with less than 15 employees on 1 February 2023) can access paid leave from 1 August 2023. Until then, they can continue to take unpaid family and domestic violence leave. Learn more at Unpaid family and domestic violence leave.

Our guide helps employers understand their responsibilities towards employees experiencing family and domestic violence. It also helps them develop a workplace response to managing family and domestic violence.

Family and domestic violence

Millions of Australians experience family or domestic violence every year. When a person is living with family and domestic violence, they often experience heightened financial stress, homelessness, isolation and vulnerability.

Knowledge, awareness and planning can help employers support their employees, meet their workplace obligations and protect their workplaces.

Our employer guide

Our employer guide outlines:

  • the role of the Fair Work Ombudsman and how we can help
  • a checklist for managing family and domestic violence issues in the workplace
  • what family and domestic violence is and how it affects workplaces
  • employers' legal obligations
  • a suggested approach to supporting employees and developing a workplace response to family and domestic violence
  • support and referral services.

Related information

Have a workplace problem?

Problems can happen in any workplace. If you have a workplace problem, we have tools and information to help you resolve it.

Check out our Fixing a workplace problem section for practical information about:

  • working out if there is a problem
  • speaking with your employer or employee about fixing the problem
  • getting help from us if you can't fix the problem.

Help for small business