Work/Family/Personal Life Balance

Leave Arrangements for Work/Family/Personal Life Balance
Foster Parent Leave

General and Academic Staff

General and Academic staff (other than a casual employee) are entitled to Foster Parent Leave. From the time that the child enters their care, if the employee is acting as the primary carer of a foster child on a long-term placement, they will be entitled to three weeks leave on full pay or six weeks leave on half pay if the child is younger than five, or two weeks leave on full pay or four weeks leave on half pay if the child is older than five.

These provisions may vary for staff on an AWA. If you are on an AWA you must consult with Human Resources in relation to your entitlements.

TAFE Teaching Staff

There are currently no foster parent leave provisions avaliable for TAFE teaching staff.

How to apply for Foster Parent Leave

•	Fully understand your own foster parent leave entitlements, appropriate options and notification timelines, and decide on a plan that best suits your circumstances.
•	Read UCA clause 52.5 (extract below) AND/OR discuss your situation and plans confidentially with Human Resources (Richelle Brehaut, Human Resources Co-ordinator, x9367 or r.brehaut@ballarat.edu.au) AND/OR with your Supervisor.
•	Give at least 4 weeks notice in writing of when you wish commence foster parent leave.
•	Provide documentation that substantiates your Foster Parent status.
•	Complete and submit a Leave Form and submit it with documentation that substantiates your Foster Parent status and a Letter of Request.

AWARD / ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT - EXTRACT

Parental Leave
University of Ballarat - Union Collective Agreement 2008-2009, Academic & General Staff Employees

52.	PARENTAL LEAVE
	52.5	Foster Parent Leave
		From the time that the child enters their care, an employee (other than a casual employee) acting as the primary carer of a foster child on a long-term placement will be entitled to:
		52.5.1	three weeks leave on full pay or six weeks leave on half pay if the child is younger than five;
		52.5.2	two weeks leave on full pay or four weeks leave on half pay if the child is five and over.