Managing family responsibilities

We recognise that family commitments can sometimes make it difficult to meet work responsibilities. We offer flexibility and a range of benefits to help you with your family responsibilities.

Carer's leave

Staff other than casuals can take up to 25 days of paid personal leave a year (pro rata for part year or part time service) which includes carers leave to look after children or family members who are ill, injured, incapacitated or have a disability.

Parental and surrogacy leave

We offer paid or unpaid leave for the birth (or adoption or fostering) of a child. This is on top of Australian government entitlements. Eligibility requirements apply. Full details are outlined in the Parental Leave Booklet.

Partner's leave

Partners of primary carers can take three weeks paid leave for the birth (or adoption or fostering) of a child. This is on top of Australian government entitlements. Eligibility requirements apply. Full details are outlined in the Parental Leave Booklet.

Keeping in touch during parental leave

As per page 14 in the Parental Leave Booklet, the Enterprise Agreement, which reflects the Fair Work Act 2009, includes provision for keeping in touch during your period of leave. This allows for contact, by mutual consent, between the employee on leave and their manager. While there is no obligation to keep in touch, many staff like being kept informed of what is happening in the workplace as it assists in their return to work plan. Discuss with your manager if, and how, you will keep in touch during your period of leave.

Parenting rooms

Accredited Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace

We are an accredited Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace. Two 30 minute breaks per day are available for mothers who wish to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. Download the accreditation flyer (PDF, 904KB). Download the BFW Colleague card (PDF 900KB).

We offer comfortable and private facilities for breastfeeding; expressing and storing milk; and nappy changing:

Facilities include: Lockable door and window coverings, comfortable chair, table on which to place expressing equipment, access to a power point for expressing equipment, hand sanitiser and paper towel, fridge for storing expressed breastmilk (EBM), cupboard for storing breast pump equipment. Facilities available close by (if not in room): Hot/cold running water with soap and paper towel is available in the nearest staff room – please ask a staff member to direct you, microwave is available in the nearest staff room. Please refer to the Room use guidelines (PDF, 74.6 KB) for more information.

The University’s Equity and Diversity Team receives the Australian Breastfeeding Association’s quarterly e-newsletter ‘Essence’ as part of our accreditation membership. If you would like to receive an e-copy, please email  EDI@newcastle.edu.au

Childcare centres on campus

We have two KU childcare centres at Newcastle campus at Callaghan and one at Central Coast campus (at Ourimbah). The KU Kooinda Work Based Childcare Centre at Newcastle campus is specifically for the children of staff and students.