Volunteer Leave

Under Clause 17 of the Crown Employees (Rural Fire Service) Award, employees who are also volunteers with the listed organisations are entitled to a range of special leave.

Volunteer Special Leave is not a substitute for training or work that is directed or approved by the Rural Fire Service (RFS). Work or training required as part of RFS employment is to be undertaken during work hours or appropriate overtime provisions are to apply. Volunteer Leave only applies when a member is acting wholly in a voluntary capacity.

Clause 17.1.1 Organisations

Staff members who are volunteer members of, but not limited to:

• RFS
• Bushwalkers’ Federation (now NSW State Emergency Service)
• Cave Rescue Association (now VRA Rescue NSW)
• State Emergency Service (SES)
• Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol (now Marine Rescue NSW)
• Volunteer Rescue Association of NSW (or affiliated groups) (now VRA Rescue NSW)
• Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network (now VRA Rescue NSW)
• Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (now Marine Rescue NSW)

May be granted special leave of up to five days in any period of 12 months for the purpose of assisting as a volunteer in one of the above-mentioned organisations.

• A staff member who is a volunteer as described in this clause requires the permission of their supervisor, or have pre-approval, prior to attending any such volunteer activities.
• A supervisor may only approve of a volunteer attending a callout if it will have minimal effect on the normal routine of the office.

This does not cover declared incidents which are covered by Clause 17.2 Declared Emergencies.

Clause 17.2 Declared Emergencies

Staff members who are volunteers may take special leave if an incident is declared under the Rural Fires Act(S44), or a State of Emergency, is declared under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989

• This Special Leave is granted with no limit
• This leave is in addition to the leave provided for under Clause 17.1.1

Proof of attendance

Members must provide a statement from the Incident Controller, Local or Divisional Controller or the NSW Police certifying the times of attendance. The Special Leave application should also indicate the period and area of attendance and the name of the organisation to which the volunteer belongs.

Rest periods

If a member is on duty for several days, the Commissioner may grant special leave to allow reasonable recovery time prior to returning to duty.

If a member assists in a rescue or major incident at a time, that it would be unreasonable for them to report for duty at their normal time the Commissioner may grant up to one day special leave for rest.

If the above incidents in this clause are not Declared Emergencies, this special leave is deducted from the members normal 5 day leave as covered in Clause 17.1.1.

Training courses

Members are also entitled to leave to undertake training with their relevant emergency service.

Bush fire fighting training courses

NSW RFS volunteers nominated to attend NSW RFS approved or recognised training courses may be granted special leave, up to 10 working days per 12-month period. Leave approval depends on the NSW RFS’s operational convenience and requires written confirmation of attendance.

SES courses

If the SES Director-General deems a course essential, the Commissioner should release the SES volunteer staff member, and the absence is treated as on duty. If attendance is not essential, SES volunteer staff may be granted special leave for the period of absence. No certificate of attendance is required. SES will advise the NSW RFS of required attendance and report any non-attendance.

Other volunteer group courses

The Commissioner may grant special leave for training courses run by other approved volunteer organisations listed earlier in the clause.

Related documents

Crown Employees (Rural Fire Service) Award
State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989

Further assistance

For any questions, please contact PSA Delegate or contact the PSA Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679 or email

RFS departmental committee delegates

Chair
Jim Killen

Vice Chair
Ivan Perkins

Secretary
Cameron Gray

Vice Secretary
John Osmond

Delegates
Ben Plummer
Lindsey Flynn
Brenton Pumpa
Cameron Gray
Guy Duckworth
Daniel Ainsworth
David Millsteed
Scott Hoy
Tim Allen
Brad Stewart
Adrian May

PSA contacts

Industrial Officers

Michael Sinclair

Ivan Coates (acting)

Organisers

Kim de Govrik

Graydon Plumridge