Conditions applying in common to all trades and services staff

This Part shall apply in common to all trades and services staff except where otherwise expressly provided.

Section 5 - Leave of Absence and Holidays

42. Ceremonial Leave

Staff members who identify as, and are accepted as members of the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community shall be entitled to up to a maximum of 5 days of paid leave per calendar year plus an additional period of up to a maximum of 10 days leave without pay per calendar year for the purpose of preparing for, or attending to, community organisation business, National Aboriginal and Islander Observation Committee Week functions or other relevant cultural duties and events and/or fulfilling ceremonial obligations.

Such cultural duties and ceremonial obligations may be traditional or urban in nature and may include initiation, birthing and naming, funeral, smoking or cleansing and sacred site or land ceremonies.

Under normal circumstances the staff member must provide at least 2 weeks' notice in writing (usually by furnishing an “Application for Leave” form) of the staff member's intention to take leave pursuant to this clause.

A staff member may elect to use annual leave in lieu of any unpaid leave granted in accordance with this provision.