Leave policy template
A comprehensive leave policy covering all Australian leave entitlements. Covers annual leave, personal/carer's leave, parental leave, compassionate leave, long service leave and more under the National Employment Standards.
Leave policy
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Why every business needs a leave policy
Under the Fair Work Act, all employees covered by the National Employment Standards have minimum entitlements to various types of leave. A comprehensive leave policy ensures your business manages these entitlements consistently and lawfully.
Without a clear policy, you risk inconsistent decision-making, employee confusion about entitlements, and potential Fair Work claims. A documented policy sets expectations, clarifies request procedures and protects both employees and employers.
A well-drafted leave policy reduces disputes, supports compliance with modern awards, and demonstrates your commitment to employee wellbeing and work-life balance.
Key elements of a leave policy
What your leave policy should include
Leave types overview
Comprehensive coverage of all leave entitlements under the National Employment Standards.
Entitlement calculations
Clear formulas for calculating leave accrual, carryover and payment rates.
Request procedures
Step-by-step process for employees to request different types of leave.
Approval processes
Guidelines for managers on reviewing and approving leave applications.
Documentation requirements
What evidence is required for different leave types and when.
NES compliance
Aligned with Fair Work Act minimum standards for all leave types.
What's included in this template
Comprehensive coverage of all leave types
Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists and who it applies to.
Policy statement
The organisation's commitment to fair and lawful leave management.
Annual leave
Entitlements, accrual, requests, carryover and cashing out provisions.
Personal/carer's leave
Personal illness, injury and caring responsibilities leave provisions.
Compassionate leave
Leave for death or life-threatening illness of close family members.
Parental leave
Maternity, paternity, adoption and unpaid parental leave entitlements.
Long service leave
State-based long service leave entitlements and calculation methods.
Public holidays
Public holiday entitlements and requirements for working on public holidays.
Leave without pay
Process for requesting and approving unpaid leave.
Request and approval process
How to submit leave applications, notice periods and approval workflows.
Who should use this template?
Essential for every Australian employer
Legal disclaimer
This template is designed to reflect Australian employment law requirements at the time of publication. It is provided as a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice.
You should review and tailor this template to suit your business, applicable modern awards and enterprise agreements. For complex employment situations, seek independent workplace relations advice.
Regulatory sources
This template is aligned with the National Employment Standards under the Fair Work Act.
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View templateDisclaimer
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.