So it depends on the employer. I think there is a mandated 8 days of sick/carers leave per year - on top of the Annual Leave entitlements. Some places (think

So it depends on the employer. I think there is a mandated 8 days of sick/carers leave per year - on top of the Annual Leave entitlements. Some places (think Retail) are going to insist upon a Doctors Certificate to prove you were ill (especiallly on Monday/Friday). I work for a large 3 letter IT multinational and we have some incredible amount of sick-leave available if we need it. (I've used 2 days in 5 years though - sometimes I feel I should get sick more often.). I don't believe that any of these leave dates are paid for by the government - but they are specifies as conditions of employment through Government legislation. It basically becomes a cost of hiring a permanent employee (vs a contractor). An employee will be absent approx 6-7 weeks of the year - 4 weeks annual leave, 1 week sick, 2 weeks public holidays (Christmas, Easter, Melbourne Cup) Yes - In Melbourne, we have a mandated Public Holiday for a horse race.