Labor backs family violence leave

A Labor government would make domestic and family violence leave a workplace right.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says one in six Australian women have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner.

This trauma is often compounded by workplace and financial uncertainty.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the universal right to domestic and family violence leave would benefit those who have experienced violence, as well as business through improved productivity, increased employee retention and reduced absenteeism.

"A Shorten Labor government will provide for five days paid domestic and family violence leave in the National Employment Standards," Mr Shorten said on White Ribbon Day.

The NES provide a statutory baseline for all employees covered by the national workplace relations system.

Labor will work with unions and business to discuss the rollout of the leave.

A number of employers already provide domestic and family violence leave, including Telstra, NAB, Virgin Australia, IKEA and Blundstone Boots for their 1.6 million employees.

"These employers have paved the way and helped reduce the stigma that often accompanies domestic violence," Mr Shorten said.

He called on the federal government to follow Labor's lead.

Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, has previously talked about the importance of such leave.

"The ability to keep your job ... helps secure somewhere to live, it helps you to have that ongoing working contact with your colleagues, it's a really important part of your journey," she said.

The leave could be valuable for such things as attending court, meeting lawyers and financial advisers and counselling.