Personal leave

Personal leave, or sick leave, is a provision that allows employees to take time off with pay when they are unwell or injured. This ensures that employees do not have to choose between their health and their income. The minimum amount of leave and how it accumulates are set by the National Employment Standards, and some employment contracts, awards or agreements give more.

Personal leave under the NES

Full-time employees get 10 days of paid personal/carer's leave each year, and part-time employees get the same pro rata. It builds up progressively, carries over from year to year and is paid at the employee's base rate for their ordinary hours. Casual employees do not get paid personal leave. You can ask for evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person, such as a medical certificate or statutory declaration, and the employee must give notice as soon as practicable. For example, an employee who is sick for 2 days can use 2 days of their balance.

Read our guide to personal/carer's leave.