Working regular hours

After you've been at your job for 6 months, you're legally entitled to at least 5 days' sick leave a year. Your employer might offer more — check your employment agreement.

Casual employees and short-term contracts

If you're a casual employee or have had recurring (but not continuous) fixed-term contracts with the same employer, you're entitled to sick leave after 6 months if you've worked:

• at least 10 hours per week on average, and
• at least one hour every week or 40 hours every month.

Contracting or working for yourself

If you're self-employed, you don't earn any paid sick leave.

Before you've been at your job for 6 months

Your employer can agree to let you take sick leave in advance.