100% free leave & attendance HR policy templates
Clear, professional templates to help manage leave entitlements, attendance expectations and timekeeping requirements. 100% free, fully editable and aligned with Australian workplace laws.
Browse templatesWhat are leave & attendance HR policies?
Leave and attendance policies establish clear rules for managing employee time off and ensuring consistent attendance. They cover everything from annual leave entitlements to sick leave procedures, parental leave and timekeeping requirements.
These policies help businesses comply with the National Employment Standards (NES), modern awards and state-based legislation like long service leave. Essential for any business with employees, they reduce disputes and ensure fair, consistent treatment.
Absence Notification Policy
Establishes clear procedures for employees to report absences, including who to contact, when to notify, and required documentation. Ensures consistent absence management.
Read moreAnnual Leave Policy
Covers entitlements, accrual, requesting procedures, approval processes and leave loading. Aligned with the National Employment Standards for full-time and part-time employees.
Read moreAttendance & Punctuality Policy
Sets expectations for arriving on time, recording attendance and consequences for lateness. Essential for shift-based workplaces where punctuality impacts operations.
Read moreFlexible Working Arrangements Policy
Outlines eligibility, request procedures and types of flexible arrangements available. Covers remote work, adjusted hours and compressed work weeks in line with Fair Work requirements.
Read moreLeave Policy
A comprehensive overview of all leave types available to employees including annual, personal, parental and other leave entitlements. Provides a single reference point for leave management.
Read moreLong Service Leave Policy
Explains long service leave entitlements which vary by state and territory. Covers eligibility periods, accrual rates, payment calculations and taking leave provisions.
Read moreParental Leave Policy
Details unpaid parental leave entitlements under NES, including eligibility, notice requirements, keeping in touch days and return to work provisions. Covers birth, adoption and partner leave.
Read morePersonal / Sick Leave Policy
Covers personal/carer's leave entitlements, evidence requirements and notification procedures. Includes guidance on managing sick leave patterns and supporting employee wellbeing.
Read morePublic Holidays Policy
Outlines employee entitlements on public holidays, penalty rates, substitute days and reasonable requests to work. Covers state-specific holidays and part-time employee provisions.
Read moreTimekeeping & Timesheets Policy
Sets requirements for recording work hours, break times and timesheet approval processes. Essential for accurate payroll, award compliance and managing overtime.
Read moreCommon leave & attendance issues employers face
Without clear policies, these situations become harder to manage
Chronic lateness
Staff arriving late without consequences
Leave disputes
Unclear entitlements causing confusion
No-shows
Absences without proper notification
Timesheet errors
Inaccurate hours causing payroll issues
Parental leave confusion
Misunderstanding NES entitlements
Inconsistent approvals
Different treatment for similar requests
These templates help you handle leave and attendance consistently and fairly.
What should a leave & attendance policy include?
Essential sections for comprehensive policies
This is why we offer multiple templates—each covers different aspects of leave and attendance management.
Who these templates are best for
What happens without these policies?
Without policies
- Unclear leave entitlements
- Inconsistent attendance management
- Payroll errors from poor timekeeping
- Risk of NES non-compliance
With policies
- Clear entitlements for all staff
- Fair and consistent processes
- Accurate payroll and records
- Reduced legal risk
Legal disclaimer
These templates are designed to reflect Australian workplace standards, the National Employment Standards and Fair Work principles at the time of publication. They are provided as a general guide only and do not constitute legal advice.
Leave entitlements can vary based on your modern award, enterprise agreement or state legislation (particularly for long service leave). You should review and tailor each template to suit your specific circumstances. For complex situations, independent legal or HR advice should be sought.
Why these policies matter
Well-defined leave and attendance policies reduce confusion, prevent disputes and ensure employees understand their entitlements and obligations.
Clear policies also protect your business by demonstrating compliance with the National Employment Standards, modern awards and state-based legislation. They provide a framework for consistent decision-making and fair treatment.
These templates give you a strong foundation for managing leave and attendance professionally and legally.
Leave & attendance policies FAQ
- Full-time employees get 4 weeks (20 days) per year. Part-time employees accrue leave pro-rata. Shift workers in some awards get 5 weeks. Our Annual Leave Policy covers accrual, requesting and approval procedures.
- Personal leave covers both sick leave and carer's leave. Full-time employees accrue 10 days per year to use when ill or caring for family. Our Personal Leave Policy explains entitlements and evidence requirements.
- Eligible employees get up to 12 months unpaid parental leave under NES. This applies to birth parents, partners and adoptive parents. Our Parental Leave Policy covers eligibility, notice requirements and return to work provisions.
- No, long service leave rules vary by state. Generally it's 8-10 weeks after 10 years service, but accrual rates and pro-rata entitlements differ. Our Long Service Leave Policy template needs customising for your state.
- No, casual employees receive a loading instead of paid leave entitlements. However, long-term casuals may be eligible for unpaid parental leave or long service leave in some states.
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This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.