West Australian public servants have taken the equivalent of almost 150 days of paid family and domestic violence (FDV) leave in the first six months of the entitlement being established.

Key points: Public servants have access to 10 days paid FDV leave per annum

Public servants have access to 10 days paid FDV leave per annum Minister Simone McGurk says she's surprised at the high uptake

Minister Simone McGurk says she's surprised at the high uptake FDV leave is now a part of 22 industrial agreements, covering 80,000 employees

New figures show 80 FDV leave days and an additional 480 hours in part days were accessed by employees between August 18 last year and February 17 this year.

Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk said she was surprised at the high uptake, but pleased employees felt empowered enough to access help.

"We've been really surprised by the number of people accessing this leave, there's a reasonably high number," she said.

"I think it vindicates our decision to provide leave for people who are experiencing domestic violence.

"We actually want people to come forward and get support, and we also want those people who are experiencing domestic violence who are working to stay in work.

"This is not any of their doing. They're victims in this process."

Premier Mark McGowan announced the introduction of 10 days paid FDV leave per annum for public servants last August.

It is in addition to other leave entitlements, including personal and sick leave.

Since his announcement, FDV leave has been incorporated into 22 public sector industrial agreements, covering 80,000 employees.

WA has the second highest rate of reported physical and sexual violence perpetrated against women in Australia.

Nationwide, it is estimated 20 per cent of women will experience physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner.

No 'hidden phenomenon': Minister

Ms McGurk said the introduction of FDV leave in WA had helped shine a light on the problem.

Simone McGurk says she has been surprised by the number of workers accessing the leave. ( ABC News: Rebecca Carmody )

"We don't want this to be a hidden phenomenon," she said.

"This is not acceptable, it's entirely preventable and that's the conversation we want in workplaces as well."

The State Government's leave provision defines family and domestic violence as behaviour that is physically or sexually abusive, emotionally or psychologically abusive, economically abusive, threatening, coercive, or behaviour that in any other way controls or dominates the family or household member and causes that person to fear for their safety or wellbeing, or that of another person.

It is available for employees to attend medical appointments, legal proceedings and counselling, as well as relocating or making other safety arrangements.

It can also be accessed for "other matters of a compassionate or pressing nature … which can arise without notice and require immediate attention."

Employees may be required to show supporting evidence, such as documents issued by police, courts, lawyers, health professionals, counsellors, refugees or can provide statutory declarations.

The guidelines state that obtaining such documents should not be overly onerous on the employee, and not a prerequisite to leave being granted.

Earlier this year, the Fair Work Commission approved five days unpaid FDV leave for all employees on modern awards, after rejecting an application by the ACTU the previous year for 10 days paid domestic violence leave.

All employees deserve FDL, union says

Secretary of Unions WA Meredith Hammat said the uptake of FDV leave in WA highlighted its critical importance.

"Unfortunately we know it's all too common in society and people have probably been trying to manage these circumstances without leave in the past and have found it incredibly difficult," she said.

Meredith Hammat says the uptake of leave highlights its importance. ( ABC News: Rebecca Carmody )

"It is an important leave provision for workers."

"I think employers really need to have a look at providing this kind of practical support to their employees and I think it's also something that we need to get serious about in terms of minimum standards for all working people in Australia.

"Ten days paid leave should really be a minimum for people so that they are confident in managing their personal circumstances if they're experiencing family and domestic violence."

Ms McGurk said she was pleased a number of companies and organisations were leading the way in offering paid FDV leave, including Rio Tinto, PwC Australia, South32 and Curtin University.