Unpaid pandemic leave available again

Employees covered by some awards can access 2 weeks’ unpaid pandemic leave from 15 July 2022 until 31 December 2022. This follows a recent Fair Work Commission decision to add the entitlement back into these awards.

Eligible employees can access up to 2 weeks’ unpaid pandemic leave (or more by agreement with their employer) if they can’t work because:

• they’re required to self-isolate by government or medical authorities, or on the advice of a medical practitioner, or
• of measures taken by government or medical authorities in response to the pandemic (for example, an enforceable government direction restricting non-essential businesses).

The leave is available in full immediately to full-time, part-time and casual employees – employees don’t have to accrue it.

Affected awards

The awards with unpaid pandemic leave entitlements available are the:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services Award
• Aged Care Award
• Ambulance and Patient Transport Award
• Health Professionals and Support Services Award
• Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award
• Supported Employment Services Award.