What impact could this decision have?

Domestic violence leave, even if unpaid, gives victims time to find safe housing as well as to seek support and legal services.

But the consequences will not be so straightforward. Australia has close to 120 modern awards (sets of employment conditions in each industry). Since standards vary across sectors, including who is covered under the awards, the decision on domestic violence leave does not apply to all workers. The council said it was also trying to change the National Employment Standards, or minimum employment conditions that apply to all workers.

Some large corporations already offer paid domestic violence leave, like PwC Australia, which confirmed that it had testified to the commission in support of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

But paid domestic leave may not be one-size-fits-all, especially for small businesses, which could feel the strain of paid-leave policies more than bigger companies. Moo Baulch, the chief executive of Domestic Violence NSW, said that although the decision suggested a cultural shift and indicated a growing recognition of domestic violence as a concern for employers, smaller businesses might struggle to provide 10 days of paid leave.

A more nuanced conversation is necessary, some suggested. “Just putting it into place is not enough. You certainly need some structures and potentially some training and some conversations around that leave,” Ms. Baulch said. That might include training for senior employees or having a point person in the human resources department whom domestic abuse victims can consult in confidence.