Family and domestic violence (FDV) is a major problem in Australia with extensive health, welfare and economic consequences. Flinders University experts have led an independent statutory review into the operation of the Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Act 2022, coming up with five key recommendations to encourage its expanded adoption in the community.
The new report, tabled in Canberra, found that the first year of paid FDV leave entitlements is operating as intended, enabling employees who have used the leave to access relevant services and take action to improve their safety while maintaining their income and employment.
The review's 12 findings and five key recommendations focus on continuing to build awareness and understanding of the entitlement while affirming the crucial role of businesses and workplaces in preventing and responding to FDV.
The review found that further work is needed to ensure all employers and employees are aware of the entitlement to family and domestic violence leave. It also found that ongoing stigma around family and domestic violence was a barrier to workers accessing the leave.
Flinders Professor in Law and Criminology Marinella Marmo says FDV is closely connected to women's employment and economic security as well as workplace culture and equity more broadly.
"The independent review was informed by consultation with key stakeholders including employers and their representatives, employees and their representatives, frontline FDV services, and academic experts.
"Particular efforts were made to explore the impacts of the entitlement on small businesses and people who have experienced family and domestic violence."
The reform particularly supports women, who are overrepresented as victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.
The 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 1 in 4 women in Australia have experienced violence by an intimate partner, compared to 1 in 14 men.
The review found that of the workers who had taken paid family and domestic violence leave, 91 per cent surveyed said it helped them maintain their income, and 89 per cent said it helped them to retain their employment.
The report assessed the impact of the entitlement since its commencement in February 2023. The Act provides an entitlement of 10 days' paid FDV to all employees under the Fair Work Act 2009.
The recommendations are:
