This report details research conducted to understand the impact of the new entitlement for 10 days of paid family and domestic violence (FDV) leave. 

FDV victim-survivors and employers were interviewed, and 594 FDV victim-survivors, 1,437 employers and 3,008 other Australian workers were surveyed. Early indicators reveal that paid FDV leave has broad support and a meaningful impact. 

The report concludes that the leave entitlement is providing meaningful support for victim-survivors in crisis and has the potential to reduce workplace stigma and discrimination.

Key findings

• Victim-survivors (90% of females and 79% of males), employers (77%) and workers (87%) were supportive of the paid FDV leave entitlement.
• The leave is being used as intended: to help employees experiencing FDV remain in work (89%), maintain income (91%) and access services. Victim-survivors used the leave to arrange for their (41%) or their children’s safety (43%), and access police (39%), medical (22%) and legal (24%) services.
• The leave entitlement has the potential to reduce workplace stigma.
• Uptake is constrained by low awareness, especially for and among casual staff.
• Employer-employee conversations are crucial, though concerns about privacy, trust, confidence, and the provision of evidence remain critical hurdles.