Leave policy template
A free, ready-to-edit leave policy template for Australian workplaces. One document that covers every National Employment Standards leave type — annual, personal/carer's, compassionate, parental and long service leave — with clear request, notice and evidence rules — no signup required.
Leave policy
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By downloading, you agree to our template disclaimer
This leave policy template reflects the National Employment Standards under the Fair Work Act at the time of publication and is provided as a general guide to adapt for your business, applicable modern award or enterprise agreement. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
Why every business needs a leave policy
Under the Fair Work Act, every employee covered by the National Employment Standards has minimum entitlements to several types of leave. A single, well-drafted leave policy lets you manage all of them consistently and lawfully, rather than answering the same questions case by case.
Without a clear policy you risk inconsistent decisions, confusion about who is entitled to what, and avoidable Fair Work disputes. A documented policy sets expectations up front, explains how to request leave, what notice and evidence are needed, and how approvals work — protecting both employees and the business.
This is an umbrella policy that points to the detail in your specific leave policies: annual leave, personal/carer’s leave, parental leave and long service leave. Store the policy and capture acknowledgements in your HR software so you can show every worker has read and understood it.
What a leave policy should cover
The NES leave types every Australian policy should address
Annual leave
Four weeks' paid leave a year (five for some shift workers), how it accrues, carries over and is paid.
Personal/carer's leave
Ten days' paid leave a year for illness, injury or caring for an immediate family member.
Compassionate leave
Two days' paid leave per occasion for the death or serious illness of a close family member.
Parental leave
Up to 12 months' unpaid leave, with a right to request a further 12, plus government paid parental leave.
Long service leave
State and territory-based entitlements that build up over years of continuous service.
Requests & evidence
How to apply for leave, the notice required and the evidence that supports each type.
What's included in this template
A complete leave framework aligned with the National Employment Standards
Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists, who it applies to and how it sits with awards and agreements.
Annual leave
Entitlement, accrual, carryover, cashing out and direction to take leave.
Personal/carer's leave
Paid and unpaid personal leave, caring responsibilities and notice and evidence.
Compassionate leave
Paid leave for the death or life-threatening illness of a close family member.
Family & domestic violence leave
Ten days' paid leave a year available to all employees, including casuals.
Parental leave
Unpaid parental leave, the right to request an extension and return-to-work arrangements.
Long service leave
State-based entitlements and how continuous service is calculated.
Public holidays & community service leave
Public holiday entitlements, working on a holiday, and jury duty.
Unpaid leave
How employees can request leave without pay and how it is approved.
Request & approval process
How to apply, notice periods, approval workflow and employee acknowledgement.
Getting NES leave entitlements right
The Fair Work rules that keep your leave policy compliant
Awards and agreements can give more — never less
The NES sets the floor. A modern award or enterprise agreement can provide additional leave or more generous terms, but it can never undercut the legal minimum. Always check the instrument that covers your employees and reflect the better of the two in your policy.
Casuals have limited but real entitlements
Casual employees don’t accrue paid annual or personal leave — their casual loading compensates for that. They are still entitled to unpaid carer’s leave, compassionate leave, and the full 10 days’ paid family and domestic violence leave.
How a leave request flows
Apply
The employee submits a request with dates and leave type, giving reasonable notice.
Provide evidence
Where required, a medical certificate or statutory declaration supports the request.
Review & approve
The manager checks balance, coverage and notice, then approves or discusses options.
Record
The approved leave is logged so balances and rosters stay accurate.
Personal/carer’s leave can’t be unreasonably refused, and accrued leave is available from day one of employment — including during a probation period. Use the leave application form to capture requests consistently.
Annual leave accrues progressively across the year and rolls over if it isn’t taken; in limited circumstances employers can direct staff to take excessive accrued leave or close down over a period. Long service leave is governed by the law of each state and territory, so the qualifying period and rate vary. For the calculations behind each entitlement, see our guide on how to calculate leave entitlements.
Who should use this template?
Essential for any Australian business with employees
Especially useful for managers approving requests and for businesses without a dedicated HR team.
Compliance resources
Official guidance on leave entitlements under Australian law.
Manage every leave type in one place
RosterElf tracks balances, handles requests and approvals, and syncs leave with your roster automatically — so you stay compliant without the spreadsheets.
Related templates
Build out your leave framework with the specific policies
Leave policy FAQ
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A complete leave policy should set out its purpose and scope, the types of leave available — annual leave, personal/carer’s leave, compassionate leave, parental leave and long service leave — plus eligibility, accrual rates, notice periods, evidence requirements and the request and approval process. It should align with the National Employment Standards and any applicable award or agreement.
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Start with this template, then tailor it to your business. Confirm the modern award or enterprise agreement that covers your staff, add any state-based long service leave detail, set your notice periods and evidence rules, and distribute it during onboarding using HR software with policy management so acknowledgements are tracked.
Before you download
General information only — not legal advice
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.