Pandemic leave helps employees take time to isolate, test, and recover from Covid-19. Certain modern awards contain schedule X, which means they can access up to 2 weeks unpaid leave.
What Is Schedule X?
Put simply, it’s a way for employees to access up to two weeks of unpaid leave as a response to the effects of Covid-19 if required.
In December 2021, the Fair Work Commission decided to extend the unpaid pandemic leave provision of Schedule X, these measures were designed to ease leave issues during the COVID-19 pandemic in 73 awards, and have now been extended until 30 June 2022.
What Reasons Can Your Employee Access This Leave?
If your employee who can’t work due to:
Needing to attend a PCR test centre or find a RAT test
Isolating due to symptoms
Requiring to isolate due to contact concerns
Waiting on test results
Having a positive infection
Which Types of Employment Are Covered?
Any employees under the awards on our list are covered, including full time, part time, and casual employees. Is it not pro- rata. All employees are entitled to the 2 weeks unpaid leave.
Which Awards Contain Schedule X?
Modern Awards containing Schedule X until 30 June 2022
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award
Labour Market Assistance Industry Award
Aged Care Industry Award
Legal Services Award
Airline Operations-Ground Staff Award
Local Government Industry Award
Airport Employees Award
Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award
Alpine Resorts Award
Meat Industry Award
Aluminium Industry Award
Medical Practitioners Award
Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award
Mobile Crane Award
Amusement, Events and Recreation Award
Nursery Award
Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award
Nurses Award
Aquaculture Industry Award
Pastoral Award
Architects Award
Pest Control Industry Award
Asphalt Industry Award
Pharmaceutical Industry Award
Banking, Finance and Insurance Award
Pharmacy Industry Award
Building and Construction General On-Site Award
Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award
Business Equipment Award
Poultry Processing Award
Car Parking Award
Premixed Concrete Award
Cement, Lime and Quarrying Award
Professional Diving Industry (Recreational) Award
Cemetery Industry Award
Professional Employees Award
Children’s Services Award
Racing Clubs Events Award
Cleaning Services Award
Racing Industry Ground Maintenance Award
Contract Call Centres Award
Registered and Licenced Clubs Award
List Of Awards Previously Containing Schedule X- Now Expired
Past Schedule X And Expiry Date
Air Pilots Award
29 March 2021
Aircraft Cabin Crew Award
30 June 2020
Book Industry Award
30 June 2020
Broadcasting, Recorded Entertainment and Cinemas Award
29 March 2021
Clerks – Private Sector Award
30 June 2020
Commercial Sales Award
29 March 2021
Concrete Products Award
30 June 2020
Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award
30 June 2020
Educational Services (Post-Secondary Education) Award
29 March 2021
Educational Services (Teachers) Award
30 June 2020
Higher Education Industry – Academic Staff – Award
30 June 2020
List Of Awards Previously Containing Schedule Y – Now Expired
Modern Award
Schedule Y Expiry date
Aged Care Industry Award
29 March 2021
Health Professionals and Support Services Award
29 March 2021
Nurses Award
29 March 2021
If you have any questions about pandemic leave, please call our 24/7 initial advice line.
COVID Poster Kit
Make great hygiene practices clear and visible in your business with our COVID Poster Kit. This kit contains posters and signs to help your staff stay safe, healthy, and hygienic in the workplace.
