If you care for a child with disability, you have the right to ask for flexible work under the Fair Work Act. This can help you balance work and caring responsibilities, especially when your child needs extra support.
What does the law say?
Under the Fair Work Act, employees who are carers have the right to ask for flexible working arrangements. You must have worked for your employer for at least 12 months to be eligible.
You can apply for flexible arrangements if you:
- care for a child who is school aged or younger
- care for someone with a disability
- are a person with disability
Flexible arrangements can include:
- changes to hours, or start and finish times
- changes to patterns of work, like split shifts or job sharing
- working from home or at another location
Your request must be in writing, state what changes you are asking for, and the reasons you are requesting a flexible arrangement.
What kind of evidence should I provide?
All parents have the right to request flexible working arrangements, but providing evidence of your carer responsibilities can help support your request. This could include:
- A Carer Allowance approval letter from Centrelink
- A letter from your child’s GP, therapist, or specialist explaining the extra care your child needs and the time you spend providing it
What happens after you make a request?
Your employer must seriously consider your request and respond in writing within 21 days. Your employer can only refuse your request on “reasonable business grounds”. If your request has been refused, your employer must explain why.
Useful links
Fair Work Ombudsman – Flexible Working Arrangements
Carer Allowance vs Carer Payment: which one is for you?
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