Australia
Sick and carer's leave are one combined entitlement under the National Employment Standards: 1/26 of ordinary annual hours, which lands at 10 days on a standard week. The employer pays at the base rate, there are no waiting days, unused balance rolls over indefinitely, and casuals are excluded (their loading compensates).
- Entitlement10 days a year full-time, pro-rata part-time
- Who paysEmployer, at base rate
- Waiting daysNone
- CarryoverUnlimited
- Not paid out on termination, unlike annual leave.
- Strictly an hours-based entitlement: 10 days assumes a five-day pattern.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman (NES, in force since 2010). Checked July 2026.
New Zealand
The Holidays Act gives 10 days' sick leave once an employee reaches 6 months' service, and the entitlement is not pro-rated, so part-timers get the full 10 days. Up to 10 unused days carry over each year, capped at 20 days held. The employer pays at relevant daily pay; there is no state reimbursement.
- Entitlement10 days a year from 6 months' service
- Part-timeFull 10 days, not pro-rated
- Cap20 days held
- Who paysEmployer
| Length of service | Entitlement |
|---|
| 0 to 6 months | None (contract can be more generous) |
| From 6 months | 10 days a year, capped at 20 held |
- The Employment Leave Bill would move sick leave to pro-rated, hours-based accrual from day one, but it is still a bill; nothing changes before roughly 2028.
Source: Employment New Zealand (Holidays Act 2003, 10 days since 2021). Checked July 2026.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the government source for its market.
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