Leave Australia
Every kind of leave Australian law guarantees you — annual, sick, parental, compassionate and more — what’s paid, what’s not, and what it’s worth when you cash it out.
Last updated: July 2026 · Fair Work Act 2009 (NES) · Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 · FY 2026–27
What Leave Are You Entitled To?
The National Employment Standards in the Fair Work Act set the leave floor no employer can go below: 4 weeks of paid annual leave a year (5 for many shiftworkers), 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave that accumulates year to year, paid family and domestic violence leave, compassionate leave, unpaid parental leave with your job protected for 12 months, and public holiday pay. Awards and enterprise agreements build on top of that floor — they can only ever improve it.
Separate from your employer’s obligations, the government pays Parental Leave Pay — now 130 days (26 weeks) at the national minimum wage for children born from 1 July 2026, plus a super contribution. And when you leave a job, every hour of untaken annual leave converts to money. The tools below cover the three moments that matter most: knowing your entitlements, valuing your leave balance, and navigating parental leave pay.
Leave 2026–27 Key Entitlements
| Leave | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Annual leave | 4 weeks/year (5 for shiftworkers) |
| Personal/carer’s leave (sick leave) | 10 days/year, accumulates |
| Family & domestic violence leave | 10 days paid/year — casuals included |
| Unpaid parental leave | 12 months, job protected |
| Parental Leave Pay (government) | 130 days at minimum wage |
What You’ll Find in This Section
- Leave Payout Calculator: your leave balance and hourly rate in, the gross value of your untaken leave out
- Leave Entitlements Table: every NES leave type — days, pay status and who qualifies — in one verified table
- Complete guide: Paid Parental Leave — the 130 days, who’s eligible, and how to claim it
In this section:
📋 Entitlements verified — Official sources: Fair Work Act 2009 · Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 · Fair Work Commission
⚠️ This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. KnowMyGovt is an independent service with no affiliation with or endorsement by the Fair Work Commission, Services Australia or the Australian Government, and is not responsible for decisions you make based on it.
