Australian HR Must Expand Domestic Violence Support Beyond 10 Days' Leave as NSW Reforms Tighten
Updated
Updated · HRD America · Jun 15
Australian HR Must Expand Domestic Violence Support Beyond 10 Days' Leave as NSW Reforms Tighten
1 articles · Updated · HRD America · Jun 15
Summary
Cilla Robinson said Australian employers are still falling short on family and domestic violence support, arguing the 10 days of paid leave under the Fair Work Act is only a legal minimum.
NSW coercive control reforms and tighter national psychosocial safety duties mean HR can no longer treat domestic violence as a private matter when it creates physical or psychological risks at work.
Robinson urged employers to add practical protections—manager training, safety planning with security, payroll confidentiality, technology checks, and roster or location changes—so staff are safe, believed and supported.
Her guidance to HR is to start with care rather than investigation, keep disclosures confidential on a need-to-know basis, and avoid intrusive questions or using victim-survivor leave for alleged perpetrators.
The push reflects the scale of the issue: AIHW data show 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men have experienced intimate partner violence since age 15.
With new laws in place, why do employees still fear using domestic violence leave?
Directors now face personal liability for domestic violence risks. Are Australian boardrooms truly prepared?
How can employers support remote staff at risk without invading their privacy?
NSW Leads with Criminalisation of Coercive Control and 10 Days Paid Domestic Violence Leave: New Laws, Workplace Duties, and Trauma-Informed Support
Overview
New South Wales has taken a strong, proactive approach to domestic and family violence by criminalising coercive control and launching a comprehensive strategy to address abuse. These changes aim to better protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable, as seen in the state’s first prison sentence for coercive control. The new laws and policies reflect a deeper understanding of how controlling behaviours can harm victims, and they empower authorities to act more effectively. Together, these reforms show NSW’s commitment to treating domestic violence seriously and creating safer communities.