Employees in Australia will soon be getting 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave in a 12-month period, the Australian Government’s Fair Work Ombudsman announced.

The new leave policy will take effect on 1 February 2023 for employees of businesses with 15 or more staff, and on 1 August 2023 for employees whose employers have less then 15 staff.

Under the current policy, workers had access to five days of paid family and domestic violence leave.

The leave applies to all employees, including full time, part time, and casual, under the Fair Work System, which covers most Australian workplaces.

Family and domestic violence leave is afforded to employees who need time off to deal with the impact of family and domestic violence such as attending court hearings, counseling, medical appointments, or making arrangements for their or their family’s safety.

The Fair Work Ombudsman said that the new leave will be reviewed after 12 months to consider impacts on small businesses, sole traders, and on people experiencing family and domestic violence.