Portable leave scheme flagged for NSW community workers in domestic violence, community housing, homelessness

Up to 250,000 workers in low-paid but essential community jobs could soon be able to access one thing that recognises their commitment despite changing employers.

NSW has flagged plans for workers in community sector roles to be given a portable leave scheme so the workforce, who are largely in contract-based roles, can access the entitlement.

Up to 250,000 workers in jobs like domestic and family violence support, community housing and homelessness services could benefit from the new sector-wide laws that were introduced by NSW Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis last Wednesday.

If passed, employers would be allotted six weeks of paid leave after working in the sector for seven years, down from the current 10, with workforce data suggesting 25 per cent of employees leave their current role in any given year.

The rules will apply to all employees within the sector, regardless of seniority, and whether they are employed on a casual, part-time or permanent full-time basis.

Like similar arrangements introduced for cleaners in 2011, workers who register for the scheme within its first six months will be given a one-off, one-year credit, which means they can access their long-service entitlements after six years of working in the industry.

When workers will begin recording their length of service will be determined once and if the legislation is passed.

NSW Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis has introduced laws that would allow community sector workers access to long service leave regardless of whether they switch employers. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Simon Bullard

Community sector service workers earning minimum wage will also benefit from the 3.75 per cent increase to the National Minimum Wage and minimum award wages announced last week.

Ms Cotsis said it was time community sector workers, who were largely women, had access to the entitlement.

“It’s not good enough that some community sector employees have worked for decades without receiving long service leave because of short-term contracts and job changes,” she said.

“These are tough jobs that are mostly being done by women and they deserve to have a break.”

NSW’s laws will be modelled on provisions that were introduced in Queensland following consultation with employers, peak bodies and the Australian Services Union (ASU).

ASU NSW secretary Angus McFarland called on NSW to “catch up” with Queensland, Victoria, the Northern Territory, and South Australia, which introduced a similar scheme in December last year.

“Portable long service leave recognises the commitment service workers make to the community of NSW,” he said.

“Community workers change jobs due to factors outside of their control. Changes in community needs and re-prioritising government funding may see resources and jobs directed to other areas.”

He added that reducing the period employees must work to access the leave entitlement from 10 to seven years recognised the prevalence of burnout in the sector.

“For workers at the frontline of community services, it’s a stressful, complex and emotionally draining job,” he said.

“Long service leave allows people to take a holiday, do further study, or just spend time with their family, and we hope it will attract and keep people in the sector.”