If you have significant caring responsibilities you will need to talk with your employer about them to gain support.

Depending on where you work and what sort of work you do, you will have been hired under either: 1) an industrial award, 2) an enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) also called a collective agreement, or an Individual Transitional Employment Agreement (ITEA) also called an individual contract.

Regardless of the system under which you are employed it is important to know your rights at work as a carer and the business case for family-friendly work practices outlined above. Knowing this means you can positively frame your request for support.

The Working Carers Gateway has a wide range of information that will help you negotiate your carer responsibilities with your employer.

Many paid work and family provisions are contained in organisational policies in addition to, or instead of, awards and agreements.

Organisations with best practice work and family policies report a range of positive effects that enhance the success of their business and their reputation in the community.

Anti-discrimination laws are a mix of Federal and state legislation, where knowledge of both is essential to protect your rights as a carer.