Unions push for 10 days of reproductive health leave to be added to the National Employment Standards

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 5 March 2026

Queensland Unions has lodged a submission to the Federal Government's inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standards, backing the QCU's now national 'It's for Everybody' campaign to introduce 10 days of paid reproductive health leave for all workers.

The submission, lodged last Friday, calls on the Albanese Government to strengthen the National Employment Standards by recognising reproductive health leave as a universal workplace entitlement.

Queensland Unions joined the ACTU in supporting the reform, arguing that reproductive health issues affect workers at every stage of their working lives and should be recognised as a legitimate workplace health need.

In Queensland, the union movement has already demonstrated the benefits of the policy. In 2024, with the support of the Miles Labour Government, 10 days of paid reproductive health leave was secured for over 300,000 Queensland public sector workers.

Reproductive health issues include menstruation, pregnancy, contraception, miscarriage, perimenopause, menopause, chronic conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis, hormone therapy and fertility issues, as well as vasectomy, hysterectomy, terminations, and breast and prostate cancer screenings.

Evidence from research commissioned by the Queensland Council of Unions, Health Services Union and Aware Super, shows reproductive health conditions are already costing the Australian economy around $21.3 billion every year in lost productivity, as workers are forced to miss work, work through pain, or leave the workforce earlier than planned.

The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre report found that providing up to 12 days of reproductive health leave would cost around $3.6 billion annually, with more than half of those costs offset by productivity gains for employers. Even at its net cost, the policy would amount to around $140 per worker per year, far less than the current cost of unsupported reproductive health in Australian workplaces.

Quotes attributable to QCU General Secretary, Jacqueline King:

"Workers across Australia deserve the same dignity and support that Queensland public sector workers already have. Reproductive leave can affect anyone at any stage of their working lives."

"We're calling on the Albanese Government to strengthen the National Employment Standards and ensure every worker has access to this vital leave entitlement."

"For too long workers, particularly women have been forced to use sick leave, annual leave or go unpaid while managing reproductive health issues, adding financial stress and reinforcing stigma at work during a cost-of-living crisis."

"Queensland Unions will continue working alongside the ACTU to secure nationally recognised reproductive health leave so that every worker, in every industry, has the support they need to stay healthy and stay in work."