NSW public servants will get 20 days of family and domestic violence leave from next year, doubling existing provisions.

The paid leave provisions will also apply to casual employees, while access to existing carers leave will be extended to all employees who are supporting a family or household member who is a victim of domestic violence.

Women’s safety minister Natalie Ward said everyone has the right to be safe at home and in the workplace.

“As the largest employer in NSW, it is our government’s responsibility to provide workers with the support and security to take time away from work to take the necessary steps to find safety for themselves and their family,” Ms Ward said in a statement on Friday.

NSW was the first Australian jurisdiction to include specific provisions for family and domestic violence leave in enterprise agreements and awards for public sector employees.

It and has also enacted miscarriage leave and leave for government employees who give birth before 37 weeks.

Last year the NSW government provided new paid parental leave arrangements for public sector workers which removed the distinction between ‘primary’ or ‘secondary’ carer, giving both parents access to paid parental leave. 

It has also announced five days of paid fertility treatment leave for public sector workers.

The new domestic violence leave provisions come into effect from January 1.

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