An entitlement to two weeks’ unpaid pandemic leave has been re-introduced for private sector state system employees.  

The unpaid pandemic leave provisions were implemented through the COVID-19 General Order issued by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission on 25 March 2022. The General Order applies until 30 September 2022, unless extended.

The COVID-19 General Order applies to private sector award free employees and private sector employees covered by WA awards or registered industrial agreements. 

Full time, part time and casual employees are entitled to take up to two weeks’ unpaid pandemic leave if the employee is required, by government or medical authorities or acting on the advice of a medical practitioner, to self‑isolate or is otherwise prevented from working by measures taken by government or medical authorities in response to the COVID‑19 pandemic. 

More detailed information on unpaid pandemic leave is available on the Unpaid pandemic leave page and comprehensive information for state system employers and employees on COVID-19 related topics is available on the Employment Impacted by COVID-19 page.