I want to take leave
Annual leave, personal leave, parental leave, and other NES leave entitlements explained.
Annual leave
Full-time and part-time employees get 4 weeks (20 days) of paid annual leave per year, pro-rata for part-time. Leave accumulates from day one and rolls over year to year. Some awards provide 5 weeks for shift workers. Your employer can't unreasonably refuse a leave request, but they can refuse if it would cause significant operational problems.
Personal/carer's leave
Full-time and part-time employees get 10 days of paid personal/carer's leave per year. This covers your own illness or injury, and caring for an immediate family member or household member. It accumulates and carries over. Your employer can ask for evidence (like a medical certificate) for absences of 1+ days, or if you've been warned about a pattern of absences.
Parental leave
After 12 months of continuous service, you can take up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave (with a right to request an additional 12 months). The Australian Government also provides Paid Parental Leave of up to 24 weeks (increasing to 26 weeks by 2026) at the national minimum wage. Both parents can access this entitlement.
Compassionate leave
All employees (including casuals on an unpaid basis) get 2 days of compassionate leave per occasion. This applies when a member of your immediate family or household dies, or contracts or develops a life-threatening illness or injury.
Family and domestic violence leave
All employees (including casuals and part-timers) are entitled to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave per year. This leave doesn't accumulate and renews each year. Information about this leave must be kept confidential by the employer.
Long service leave
Long service leave is governed by state and territory laws, not the NES. Typically, you're entitled to 8.67 weeks of long service leave after 10 years of continuous service with the same employer. Some states allow pro-rata access after 7 years.
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FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
Related reading
You get 4 weeks (20 days) paid annual leave per year in Australia. Check your rights: leave loading (17.5%), payout on resignation, employer refusal rules, and part-time pro-rata entitlements.
Sick Leave Rights Australia 2026 — 10 Days, Medical Certificates & Casual RulesFull-time workers get 10 paid sick days per year. When do you need a medical certificate? Can your boss say no? What about casuals?
Long Service Leave by State 2026: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA — Side-by-Side ComparisonLong service leave varies dramatically by state. NSW: 8.67 weeks after 10 years. VIC: 8.67 weeks after 7 years. Compare all 8 states + free calculator for your exact entitlement.
Leave Loading: The 17.5% Bonus Most Workers Don't Know They're OwedMost Australian awards require your employer to pay 17.5% extra when you take annual leave — worth $600+ per year. Millions of workers don't get it. Check if you're owed leave loading.
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