Government now seeking public feedback on draft bill
The New South Wales government released for consultation a new draft bill that aims to expand the leave rights of community sector workers.
Under the draft bill, community sector workers will be allowed earlier access to their long service leave after seven years, rather than 10.
It will also update existing rules to allow community sector workers to accrue long service leave across multiple employers within the sector.
"By basing long service on time employed in the sector, workers will be able to accrue long service leave no matter how often they change jobs, providing an added incentive to choose and remain in the sector," said Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis in a statement.
"A portable entitlements system aims to reduce the high level of staff turnover among community service workers, provide these essential workers with greater financial security, and improve the level of care provided to clients."
The bill is expected to benefit up to 250,000 community sector workers, including those in disability care, family and domestic violence services, homelessness services, and many other essential services.
According to the government, 75% of the 250,000 community service workers are women, and many of them struggle from stress, burnout, and job insecurity, with high levels of casualisation.
Other jurisdictions in Australia that introduced portable leave schemes for these sectors include the Australian Capital Region, Victoria, and Queensland.
The government is now pooling feedback from the public on the Community Services Sector (Portable Long Service Leave) Bill 2024.
"Whether you are a worker, employer, or someone interested in the scheme, I encourage you to have your say on how we can build a fair and robust scheme that better supports our community and disability service sectors in NSW," Cotsis said.
Public consultation on the draft bill will close on April 30, 2024.
