Support is available for employees experiencing family and domestic violence.

Violence against anyone, of any gender, is unacceptable. Evidence shows that women experience the majority of family and domestic violence, with an average of one Australian woman killed each week by a current or former partner.

Public sector workplaces have an important role in supporting employees affected by family and domestic violence.

Paid and unpaid leave is available for employees experiencing or escaping domestic and family violence. This includes 15 days special leave with pay, in addition to existing leave entitlements.

Leave for employees experiencing family and domestic violence.

All public sector employees can access these leave provisions. For more information, see page 66 (Section F Part 1. F) of
Commissioner’s Determination 3.1 – Employment Conditions – Hours of Work, Overtime and Leave.

The Guideline of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment: Family and Domestic Violence provides further information for employees, managers and HR professionals.

Employees experiencing or escaping family and domestic violence are encouraged to speak with their manager or HR representative so appropriate supports and safety measures can be put in place.

All information is treated as strictly confidential, except where disclosure is required on a ‘need to know’ basis to maintain the safety of the employee or others.

Supports and safety measures may include:

  • assessing risks to the employee’s safety in the workplace
  • developing a safety plan (including travel to and from work)
  • adjusting work hours or location
  • providing flexible work arrangements to support ongoing employment.

The following services are available to support employees experiencing family and domestic violence.

  • Emergency: Call 000
  • 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Free 24/7 confidential counselling and support
  • Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 1800 800 098 Crisis counselling and access to safe accommodation
  • Women's Information Service 08 8303 0590
  • QLife: 1800 184 527 https://qlife.org.au.  Free telephone and webchat counselling service available from 3pm to midnight for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people, families, and friends, delivered by trained LGBTQIA+ community members.
  • 13YARN: 13 92 76 https://www.13yarn.org.au 24-hour,7 day a week confidential crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • Lifeline: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Provides all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
  • KWY: 08 8377 7822 https://www.kwy.org.au/ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Services Provides group services and support in domestic and family violence, child protection, youth work, kinship care, disability, mentoring, Aboriginal education outcomes and perpetrator intervention.
  • Nunga Mi Minar: 1800 003 038 Provides support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children escaping family violence by providing immediate safety response, accommodation and material assistance, advice, information and advocacy.
  • Women’s Safety Services SA: 1800 800 098 (24-hour Domestic Violence Crisis Line) https://womenssafetyservices.com.au Supports women and their children who are experiencing domestic and family violence by helping people find safety and support during and after experiencing abuse. T
  • Consumer and Business Services: https://www.sa.gov.au/tenancy/renters. Residential tenancy protection Information about your rights and options if you are currently renting accommodation and experiencing family and domestic violence.
  • Victim Support Service SA (1800 842 846): Support for victims of crime, witnesses, and their families.
  • Working Women’s Centre SA (08 8410 6499 metro / 1800 652 697 regional): Support for women experiencing work-related issues.

  • You can request information about a current or former partner through the SAPOL Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), or call 131 444
  • If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, contact the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) on 131 478 (24/7)
  • Public sector employees can access confidential counselling through their Employee Assistance Program (EAP)