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Well-drafted policies providing domestic vi-lence leave are "paramount", but best practices in this space go well beyond compliance to creating a workplace culture where employees are supported to take it, lawyers say.

The Federal Government will today introduce to parliament a bill that inserts 10 days' paid family and domestic violence leave into the National Employment Standards, which will extend to all full-time, part-time and casual workers.

Employment Minister Tony Burke said earlier this week that it is important for casuals to have access to this leave as well, as they are "not spared from family and domestic violence"; in fact, women experiencing FDV are more likely to be employed in casual work.

The entitlement will take effect on 1 February next year for most employers, with small businesses getting a further six months to adjust to the change...