Official form guide
Form direction to take excessive annual leave: Direction to take excessive annual leave
The Direction to take excessive annual leave form is issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman. It is used when an employer wants to formally require an employee to use accrued annual leave that exceeds normal limits.
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Form Overview
Fair Work Ombudsman Form direction to take excessive annual leave - Direction to take excessive annual leave
The Direction to take excessive annual leave form is issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman. It is used when an employer wants to formally require an employee to use accrued annual leave that exceeds normal limits.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is forgetting the employee’s signature, which can invalidate the direction.
- 2Leaving required fields blank
- 3Incorrect leave balance calculation
- 4Missing employee signature
- 5Submitting after the 7‑day window
Plain English
If you have a lot of unused holiday days and your boss wants you to take some of them, this form records that direction. It helps both parties agree on the dates and ensures the request follows Fair Work rules.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit the form as soon as the decision is made, ideally before the leave period starts, and no later than 7 days after the direction is given.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- When an employee has accrued more annual leave than the standard entitlement.
- When the employer wants to schedule the leave to meet operational needs.
- When a written direction is required to avoid informal disputes.
- When the employee has not voluntarily taken the excess leave.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Employee refuses to take leave
Records employee’s objection
✓ Verify refusal before issuing direction
Leave accrual error
Adjusts recorded balance
✓ Confirm correct balance first
Annual leave taken without direction
Record in payroll
✓ Ensure compliance retrospectively
Deadline or filing window
The direction must be communicated and the form lodged within 7 days of the decision, and the leave should commence within the agreed period.
Before you submit
- 1Employer name and ABN entered correctly
- 2Employee full name and employee number listed
- 3Accrued leave balance matches payroll records
- 4Proposed leave dates are realistic for business operations
- 5Employer justification is clear and concise
- 6Employee signature obtained
- 7Form dated
- 8All supporting documents attached
- 9PDF saved without password protection
- 10Submission confirmation email saved
How to file this form
- 1Download the latest form from fairwork.gov.au.
- 2Enter employer and employee details.
- 3Calculate and enter the amount of excess leave to be taken.
- 4Specify the exact dates or range for the leave.
- 5Provide a brief reason for the direction.
- 6Obtain the employee’s signature and date the form.
- 7Upload the PDF via the Fair Work Ombudsman portal or email it to the appropriate regional office.
Known limitations
- 1Form does not cover casual employees without annual leave entitlements.
- 2Only applicable for excess leave beyond the standard 4 weeks (or 5 weeks for shift workers).
- 3Cannot be used to force leave during an employee’s approved long service leave period.
- 4No electronic signature accepted; a handwritten signature is required.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant
1 items
Full name (and representative, if any), postal address, email, and phone number of the person or organisation lodging the application.
Respondent
1 items
The exact legal name and ABN of the employer or other party the application is made against.
The Matter
2 items
Identify the kind of matter — for example, unfair dismissal, general protections, or an agreement application.
A clear description of what happened, relevant dates, and the outcome you are seeking.
Dates
1 items
Relevant dates such as the date of dismissal or the date the issue arose — these determine whether you are within time.
Supporting
1 items
Any documents that support your application, such as letters, contracts, or notices.
Declaration
1 items
Sign and date the form. Applications may also require a fee or an application for a fee waiver.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The form is current as of the 2024 Fair Work Ombudsman update. No major changes have been announced for 2025.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check the form version date (2024) matches the latest on the Fair Work website.
- Confirm the employer’s ABN field is present.
- Verify the employee signature line is included.
- Ensure the space for proposed leave dates is large enough for multiple periods.
Quick Facts
Sources
- SRCForm name and number inferred from request
- SRCAgency identified as Fair Work Ombudsman
- SRCDirection to take excessive annual leave purpose inferred from name
- SRCSubmission methods based on typical Fair Work Ombudsman processes
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact 7‑day deadline
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: requirement for handwritten signature
Common confusion points
Mixing up ‘excess’ leave with normal annual leave entitlement.
Assuming an email approval replaces the formal form.
Leaving the justification field blank.
Submitting the form after the 7‑day deadline.
Using the form for casual workers who have no annual leave.
Forgetting to attach the leave balance statement.
Source transparency
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