Leave Policy

This Leave Policy is used to outline the leave entitlements and obligations that are in place for your employees. This Policy covers the key types of paid and unpaid annual leave available to your employees and the procedure for taking each type of leave.

calendar_month

Last updated October 23, 2025

flag

Suitable for Australia

Leave Policy

Create & Customise Legal Templates Online

legal documents graphic

What is a leave policy?

A leave policy is a document that outlines the types of leave employees can take, the procedures for requesting leave, and the obligations of both employees and employers regarding leave entitlements.
legal documents graphic

When should you use a leave policy?

You should use a leave policy when you want to clearly communicate leave entitlements and procedures to employees, reduce confusion, and protect your business from disputes about leave.
legal documents graphic

What should be in a leave policy?

A leave policy should include the types of leave available, eligibility criteria, notice and evidence requirements, leave application procedures, and how leave interacts with public holidays and operational needs.
docs

Create unlimited legal documents and eSignatures for only $39/month.

Upgrade to a Lawpath legal plan to boost your new business.

View plans & pricing

How to create a legal document

  • check_circle

    Access the Document Library

  • check_circle

    Select the template that matches your needs

  • check_circle

    Customise by adding or removing clauses with assistance from Lawpath AI

  • check_circle

    Personalise with your headers, footers, logos, or additional text

  • check_circle

    Store all documents securely in your account for easy access

Start creating your first document

Frequently asked questions

What types of leave does this policy cover?

keyboard_arrow_up

How does this policy help protect my business?

keyboard_arrow_up

Does the policy apply to all employees?

keyboard_arrow_up

Can managers refuse leave requests under this policy?

keyboard_arrow_up

What are the notice and evidence requirements for leave?

keyboard_arrow_up

What limitations should I be aware of?

keyboard_arrow_up

What steps are recommended after adopting this policy?

keyboard_arrow_up

View Sample Leave Policy

Leave Policy
risk level indicator at Low level

The Legal Risk Score of a Leave Policy Template is Low

Our legal team have marked this document as low risk considering:

  • The document grants managers significant discretion in approving various types of leave, which could lead to inconsistencies in how leave requests are handled across different parts of the company.
  • The conditions under which unpaid leave can be taken are not fully specified, potentially leaving employees uncertain about their options or rights in situations where they have exhausted other forms of leave.
  • The requirement for employees to provide evidence for certain types of leave, such as community service or compassionate leave, could pose a risk if the necessary documentation is not readily available or if the requirements are interpreted strictly by management.

Meet Our Users

Articles about Leave Policy

How Does Negative Leave Work?
By Shantelle Dang|May 15, 2025

How Does Negative Leave Work?

Are you wanting to lock-in that summer vacation but haven’t accrued enough leave? Find out how negative leave could work for you here.

Can An Employee Be Terminated While on Sick Leave?
By Ilyas Omari|May 14, 2025

Can An Employee Be Terminated While on Sick Leave?

Can an employee be terminated while on sick leave? Read this article to find out when employers can do this.

9 months On, 2 weeks Off
By Dominic Woolrych|Sep 1, 2015

9 months On, 2 weeks Off

Read about Marissa Mayer's plans for her pregnancy and the maternal leave policies at Yahoo and Netflix which give future mothers more freedom.

What is Long Service Leave in Western Australia?
By Zoe Spanos|May 20, 2025

What is Long Service Leave in Western Australia?

Long Service Leave in Western Australia may have different requirements to other Australian jurisdictions. Find out how it works in this article.

Can Employers Refuse Long Service Leave?
By Zoe Spanos|May 28, 2025

Can Employers Refuse Long Service Leave?

Want to take some extended time off? Read on to find out whether an employer can legally refuse your long service leave request.

What is Long Service Leave in the Australian Capital Territory
By Zoe Spanos|May 20, 2025

What is Long Service Leave in the Australian Capital Territory

Interested in taking some time off work? Here's what you need to know about long service leave in the Australian Capital Territory.

What is Portable Long Service Leave?
By Zoe Spanos|Oct 19, 2022

What is Portable Long Service Leave?

Portable long service leave is much more flexible than long service leave. Find out what it is and whether you're eligible to receive it.

What is Long Service Leave in Queensland?
By Zoe Spanos|May 15, 2025

What is Long Service Leave in Queensland?

Been at the same place for a while and want to take some time off? Here's what you need to know about long service leave (LSL) in Queensland.

What is Long Service Leave in South Australia
By Zoe Spanos|May 23, 2024

What is Long Service Leave in South Australia

Interested in taking some time off work? Here's what you need to know about taking long service leave in South Australia.

Looking for more documents?

Privacy Policy

A Privacy Policy outlines how your business will use, store and collect your customers' information. A Privacy Policy is required by law in certain circumstances.

Get document

Loan Agreement

This Loan Agreement can be used by lender when offering a loan to a Borrower.

Get document

Non-Disclosure Agreement (Mutual)

A Non-Disclosure Agreement (Mutual) allows you and another party to share confidential information while legally forbidding either party from disclosing that information to any other person or entity.

Get document

Non-Disclosure Agreement (One Way)

A Non-Disclosure Agreement (One Way) allows you and another party to share confidential information while legally forbidding the other party from disclosing that information to any other person or entity.

Get document

Employment Agreement (Casual)

This Employment Agreement (Casual) is suitable for casual employees in any industry. This agreement is essential when hiring new casual employees for your business.

Get document

Business Sale Agreement

A Business Sale Agreement is used to clearly set out all relevant terms of the sale when selling or buying a business.

Get document

Contractor Agreement (Individual)

The Contractor Agreement (Individual) allows you to hire a contractor that is an individual (ie. not a company).

Get document

Shareholders Agreement

A Shareholders Agreement allows you to clarify the relationship between shareholders of your company.

Get document
Browse all legal documents