Understanding Leave Entitlements in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide for Employers

Navigating Australia's complex leave regulations is essential for any organization operating in this dynamic market. The country's employment framework provides workers with various types of protected leave, balancing employee wellbeing with business operational needs.

Annual Leave Provisions

Under the National Employment Standards (NES) within the Fair Work Act, most Australian employees receive paid annual leave. Full-time and part-time workers typically accrue four weeks of paid leave annually, while shift workers are entitled to five weeks. For example, a Sydney-based financial services firm must ensure their shift workers receive the additional week mandated by law. Importantly, public holidays falling during annual leave don't count against the leave balance, and employees generally receive their normal pay rate during this time.

Parental Leave Framework

Australia's parental leave system supports both primary and secondary caregivers. Employees with at least 12 months of service can access up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave, with the possibility of extending for another 12 months. The government's Paid Parental Leave scheme provides eligible parents with up to 20 weeks of pay at the national minimum wage for children born or adopted after July 1, 2023. Many progressive employers, including SailGlobal, supplement this with additional paid parental leave benefits.

Special Circumstance Leaves

Australian law provides for several specific leave types addressing life events:

Personal/Carer's Leave: Full-time and part-time employees receive 10 days of paid leave annually for personal illness or caring responsibilities
Bereavement Leave: Two days of paid leave following the death of an immediate family member
Family and Domestic Violence Leave: All employees, including casual workers, can access 10 days of paid leave annually
Community Service Leave: Unpaid leave for voluntary emergency management activities, with paid leave for jury duty

Long Service Leave Variations

Long service leave entitlements vary significantly by state. In Western Australia, employees receive 8.67 weeks after 10 years of continuous service, while Victorian workers typically qualify after 7 years. These jurisdictional differences require careful attention when managing multi-state operations.

Public Holiday Calendar

Australia's public holidays include both national observances and state-specific celebrations. When public holidays fall on weekends, employees generally receive substitute holidays. The 2025 calendar includes:

Date	Holiday	Applicable Regions
January 1	New Year's Day	Nationwide
January 27	Australia Day	Nationwide
April 18	Good Friday	Nationwide
April 25	ANZAC Day	Nationwide
December 25	Christmas Day	Nationwide

Understanding these regulations helps organizations like SailGlobal assist international businesses in establishing compliant operations in Australia while supporting employee wellbeing.

Australia Leave Entitlements Guide 2025: HR Compliance for Employers