Have you ever needed to take time off work to care for a family member or attend an appointment and wondered if you could claim it as paid leave?
In addition to four weeks of annual leave, Australians are also entitled to a range of personal leave entitlements each year. These are designed to support employees through illness, caring responsibilities and other challenging life situations.
However, many workers are unsure about exactly what personal leave can be used for and what evidence may be required.
So, what are the different types of personal leave and what are the requirements for accessing them?
When you can take sick leave
Full time employees are entitled to 10 days sick leave each year while part-time employees receive a commensurate amount based on their working hours.
Permanent employees are entitled to take sick leave if they are unable to work due to personal illness or injury. Under the Fair Work Act, employees taking sick leave must provide sufficient evidence “to satisfy a reasonable person” that they were genuinely unable to work due to illness, injury or an emergency.
In many cases this evidence comes in the form of a medical certificate. A statutory declaration is also another option.
While employers may not always request evidence for very short absences, such as a single day, they are still entitled to do so.
Notice for sick leave must be provided as soon as possible. This could be after the leave has already commenced.
Any uunused sick leave is carried over until the next year.
When you can take carer’s leave
Paid carers leave is available to full and part-time workers and is deducted from the same balance as sick leave.
It can be taken when an employee needs to care for a family member or household member who requires care or support due to a personal illness, injury, or emergency.
Immediate family includes your spouse or partner (including de facto), your children, and you or your partner’s parents, grandparents and siblings.
Workers also have an entitlement to unpaid carers leave which can be used when your paid carers leave is used up.
In addition to carers leave, workplaces are required to offer flexible working conditions to those caring for a loved one.
What compassionate leave is for
Compassionate leave can be taken if a member of an employee’s immediate family or household dies. It also applies if they have a life-threatening illness or injury. It can also be used if a baby in their immediate family or household is stillborn. Employees can also take compassionate leave if they or their spouse or de facto partner experience a miscarriage.
Workers are entitled to a minimum of two days of compassionate leave per occasion.
Casual workers are allowed to take unpaid compassionate leave.
Domestic and family violence leave
Since 2023, all Australian workers including those who are casual have access to 10 days paid domestic and family violence leave. To be able to take this leave an employee must be experiencing family and domestic violence leave.
Understanding your leave entitlements is an important part of managing your working life. Knowing what you’re entitled to can help you make informed decisions, avoid misunderstandings, and communicate more confidently with your employer.
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Article References
Johnson, D (4 May 2026) ‘What can you use your personal leave for?’, ABC News, accessed 4 May 2026.