Leave entitlements
As from 1 July 1999 the
Industrial Relations Act 1999 (PDF, 1.9MB) provides that minimum leave entitlements apply to all Queensland employees (excluding those covered by federal awards or agreements).
Unless otherwise indicated these entitlements do not apply to casuals, pieceworkers or school-based apprentices and trainees.
Generally employees are entitled to:
- Annual leave
For each completed year of employment employees are entitled to four weeks paid annual leave. (Five weeks paid annual leave for shift workers - as defined). An additional 17.5% leave loading applies only to employees covered by awards or agreements.
- Sick leave
A maximum of eight days paid sick leave per year, accruing at the rate of one day for each six weeks service.
- Long service leave
Long service leave on the basis of 8.6667 weeks leave after 10 years service.
- Family leave
Various types of leave that employees can use to balance their work and family responsibilities
- Parental leave
Generally unpaid leave for when an employee becomes pregnant or adopts.
- Carer's leave
Use of up to 10 days paid sick leave per year (i.e. carer's leave) to care for and support members of their immediate family, or household, when they are ill.
- Bereavement leave
At least two days paid bereavement leave on the death of a member of their immediate family, or household, in Australia.
- Cultural leave
At least five days unpaid cultural leave to attend a ceremony as part of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island traditions or customs.
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