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The Treasury recognises that all carers have the same rights, choices and opportunities as other Australians, regardless of age, race, gender, disability, sexuality, religious or political beliefs, cultural or linguistic heritage or differences, socioeconomic status or locality.
The Treasury's carer support framework includes:
- a nondiscriminatory definition of family in the Treasury Workplace Agreement 2011-14, recognising relatives by blood, marriage, strong traditional or ceremonial affinity and genuine domestic or household relationships;
- a range of family-friendly working arrangements such as access to information about childcare and school holiday care, access to a carer's room, access to carer's leave and accreditation as a breastfeeding-friendly workplace;
- using accumulated personal leave to care for sick family and household members, or a person they have caring responsibilities for. Staff may also access unpaid carer's leave to care for or support family or household members, or if an unexpected family or household emergency arises;
- access to an Employee Assistance Program. The program provides a free, professional and confidential counselling service to assist staff and their immediate family members experiencing work-related or personal problems;
- access to onsite childcare facilities in the Abacus Childcare and Education Centre which is managed by Communities@Work. As at 30 June 2014, there were 71 children from Treasury families enrolled at the Abacus Childcare and Education Centre. The centre can accommodate a total of 143 child care places;
- part-time and flexible working arrangements. At 30 June 2014, 12.6 per cent of Treasury staff worked part-time. Both male and female employees use part-time work to enable them to balance work and personal responsibilities. As at 30 June 2014, 20.4 per cent of female staff and 4.8 per cent of male staff worked part-time. Access to jobshare and flexible work arrangements help Treasury staff balance work and personal commitments.