In Christmas Island, the Australian National Employment Standards (NES) govern leave entitlements, including paid vacation leave, also known as annual leave.

Entitlement and Accrual

Full-time employees are entitled to four weeks (20 working days) of paid annual leave each year. This leave accrues progressively throughout the year, which means employees cannot take all of their leave at the beginning of their employment.

Part-time Employees

Part-time employees also accrue annual leave, but it's on a pro-rata basis according to their ordinary hours of work.

Leave Loading

While on annual leave, employees may receive an additional 17.5% payment on top of their regular pay. This is known as "leave loading."

Scheduling

The timing of annual leave is generally agreed upon by both employers and employees. While employers must consider the preferences of their employees, they also need to take into account the operational needs of the business.

Cashing Out

In some cases, employees can choose to cash out a portion of their accrued leave instead of actually taking time off. However, this is subject to specific requirements and limitations as outlined in the Fair Work Act.

Christmas Island, an Australian territory, celebrates a mix of Australian national holidays and a few unique holidays that reflect the island's history and culture.

Australian National Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1st): This day marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year.
• Australia Day (January 26th): This day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove in 1788.
• Good Friday (March/April): This Christian observance commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The dates change annually.
• Easter Monday (March/April): This day, which follows Easter Sunday, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, a Christian holiday. The dates change annually.
• Anzac Day (April 25th): This day honors Australian and New Zealand soldiers who have served and died in wars and conflicts.
• Queen's Birthday (June, date varies by state/territory): This day celebrates the birthday of the reigning British monarch.
• Christmas Day (December 25th): This day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Boxing Day (December 26th): This day is the day after Christmas Day.

Holidays Specific to Christmas Island

• Territory Day (October 1st): This day celebrates the day Christmas Island became an Australian territory in 1958.
• Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan): This day marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The exact date varies depending on the lunar calendar.
• Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice): This day commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The exact date varies depending on the lunar calendar.

In Christmas Island, an Australian territory, employees are entitled to various types of leave as per the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and the National Employment Standards (NES).

Annual Leave

Full-time employees are entitled to a minimum of four weeks (20 working days) of paid annual leave each year. Part-time employees accrue annual leave on a pro-rata basis according to their ordinary hours of work compared to a full-time employee.

Annual leave entitlement accumulates progressively throughout the year. Employees cannot take all their leave at the beginning of their employment. In some cases, employees may be eligible for an additional payment on top of their base salary while on annual leave. This is called "leave loading" and is typically 17.5% of their ordinary rate of pay. However, eligibility for leave loading may vary depending on awards or registered agreements.

Other Types of Leave

Sick Leave

The NES doesn't guarantee paid sick leave. However, some awards or registered agreements that apply to an employee's workplace may offer paid personal/carer's leave which can be used for sickness.

Maternity Leave

Pregnant employees may be eligible for parental leave under the Fair Work Act, with potential for unpaid leave to follow. Specific details and eligibility requirements are outlined in the Act.

Compassionate Leave

Employees may be granted a short period of leave for compassionate reasons, such as the death or serious illness of a close family member. Entitlement and duration of compassionate leave may be outlined in relevant awards or enterprise agreements.

Important Considerations

Awards and registered agreements that apply to a specific workplace may provide more generous leave entitlements than the minimum NES standards. It's important to consult the relevant award or agreement for comprehensive details. Employers are obligated to maintain accurate records of employees' leave accrual and usage.