What is the process and eligibility criteria for taking bereavement leave in Australia, and how is pay calculated?

In Australia, under the National Employment Standards, all employees, including casual employees, are eligible for compassionate leave, also known as bereavement leave. The eligibility criteria for taking this leave include:

• A member of the employee's immediate family or household passes away, or contracts or develops a life-threatening illness or injury.
• A baby in the employee's immediate family or household is stillborn.
• The employee or their current spouse or de facto partner experiences a miscarriage.

Employees are entitled to 2 days of compassionate leave on each occasion that meets these criteria. This leave can be taken as a single continuous period of 2 days, 2 separate periods of 1 day each, or any separate periods mutually agreed upon with the employer.

Compassionate leave is not cumulative and is separate from sick and carer's leave entitlements. Employees may take this leave whenever it is needed and opt to use it instead of other leave types, such as annual leave, if they are currently on another type of leave.

In terms of pay, the bereavement leave entitlement is calculated based on 2 days per occasion.

To apply for bereavement leave, supported employees in Australia should follow these steps:

• Communicate with their manager regarding the need for bereavement leave.
• Notify Velocity Global Australia (VGAU) of their leave application.

After completing these steps, the application is processed on behalf of the supported employee.

What is the process and eligibility criteria for taking sabbatical leave in Australia, and how is pay calculated?

In Australia, what is commonly known as sabbatical leave is referred to as "long-service leave." The entitlement to long-service leave varies by each state or territory's laws or applicable industrial instruments. For instance, in Queensland, employees are entitled to 8.6667 weeks of paid long-service leave after 10 years of continuous service.

In Australia, employees are eligible for long service leave after working for the same employer for a significant period, typically between 7 to 10 years. It is important to note that the entitlement to long service leave can vary depending on the specific state or territory.

What are the guidelines for emergency leave in Australia, including length, eligibility, application rules, and pay calculation?

In Australia, the guidelines for emergency leave, including aspects related to length, eligibility, application rules, and pay calculation, are determined by the specific entitlements within an employee's award or employment agreement. If such entitlements are absent, the options available to employers and employees can vary depending on their individual circumstances. Employers and employees seeking more details can refer to this fact sheet, which provides guidance on these alternatives.

What are the guidelines for Jury Service Leave in Australia, including length, eligibility, application rules, and pay calculation?

In Australia, Jury Service Leave is a form of community service leave included under the National Employment Standards (NES). Employees eligible under the NES can take time off work for jury duty, inclusive of the jury selection process, reasonable travel, and rest time.

Eligibility for this leave differs based on individual employment terms, and employees should consult their awards, enterprise agreements, or employment agreements to determine if they include more beneficial entitlements for jury duty leave.

Regarding pay calculation, some employees may be entitled to certain payments while attending jury duty. This depends on whether the employee is full-time, part-time, or casual. For more details on specific payments, refer to the Fair Work website for full-time and part-time employees and casual employees.

Additionally, state and territory laws govern how court payments apply to employees, and more information can be found through State and territory laws.

What are the guidelines for military service leave in Australia, including length, eligibility, application rules, and pay calculation?

In Australia, the guidelines for military service leave are as follows:

• Length: There is no specified duration for military service leave. The length is determined by the nature of the defense service.

• Eligibility: All reservists are eligible for military service leave under the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act. Employers cannot prevent employees from joining the reserve or participating in defense service.

• Application Rules:
• Reservists are required to inform their employers about their intention to undertake defense service.
• Employers must not compel reservists to use their annual or long-service leave for defense service.
• During call-out and specific types of voluntary, continuous, full-time service, employees are considered to be on leave without pay.

• Pay Calculation:
• Employers are not obligated to pay reservists or contribute to workers' compensation or other benefits during their defense service.
• Employers might qualify for payments under the Employer Support Payment Scheme for most periods of continuous defense service conducted by their employees.

• Post-Service Employment: Upon completion of military service, employers are required to reinstate reservists to their former position or an equivalent role without any detriment.

What types of other leave may an employee be entitled to under their employment agreement in Australia?

In Australia, employees are entitled to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave annually. This leave is available to full-time, part-time, and casual employees who are experiencing family and domestic violence. The entitlement is granted in full immediately and resets on the employee's work anniversary. Notably, this leave does not accumulate from year to year. Furthermore, paid family and domestic violence leave is a separate entitlement from other types of leave, such as annual leave or paid sick and carer's leave.