A landmark Fair Work Commission decision that will see 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave available for employees will save lives, say advocates.
Unions Tasmania secretary Jess Munday said it was a huge and historic win that will be offered to 2.6 million workers across Australia.
Workers on more than 100 award agreements, including retail and hospitality, will be covered by the FWC decision.
She said it would now like to see the leave become available to all Australian workers under the National Employment Standards.
"We all acknowledge that it is sad that this type of leave is required but we have a very strong view that this will save lives, providing women in particular who are over-represented in family and domestic violence cases as victim survivors, financial security that is critical to them being able to leave," Ms Munday said.
"There are still millions of workers who need to be guaranteed paid leave...every worker should have access to it."
Engender Equality chief executive Alina Thomas said it was great to see leadership promoting the rights and needs of victim survivors.
She said the decision provided the opportunity to start conversations in workplaces about domestic violence and help to create supportive workplace cultures.
"It starts to change the culture of reducing our tolerance towards family violence ... safety becomes a shared responsibility across community."
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Ms Thomas said there were many benefits to 10 days paid leave to both women and children and other victim survivors, including access to safety.
"It can be very uplifting and reaffirming for people who have experienced violence and abuse to access this leave," Ms Thomas said.
"It means they can have the time and space to access police services, courts, maybe they need to move out or put their kids in a new school," she said.
"All of these things take a considerable amount of time and if people aren't in supportive workplaces it can mean they stay in relationships longer or are less safe."
One in five organisations already provide paid leave.