The domestic violence leave will be available to professional and academic staff at QUT, including casuals.

Together secretary Alex Scott said members would be able to access the new leave on a confidential basis.

"As well, should that special leave be exhausted, such employees would then be entitled to access other entitlements, including accrued personal leave, sick and carer leave as well as recreation leave," he said.

The leave will also be available to an employee supporting someone affected by domestic violence.

"An employee acting as a support person might be accompanying someone to counselling or medical appointments, legal proceedings, or helping with safety and child care," Mr Scott said.

QUT vice-president (administration) Leanne Harvey said the university recognised staff, regardless of gender, may experience violence or abuse in their personal life which could affect their performance or ability to attend work.

"This also includes providing care or support to someone in their family or household for matters relating to domestic or family violence that pose a serious threat to their life," she said.

Queensland Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer congratulated QUT for its new policy.

"If there's anywhere you would expect to see people embracing progressive ideas and blazing a trail through history, you would expect it at an institution of higher learning," she said.

Ms Farmer said extending the support to casual workers was breaking important new ground in the tertiary sector.

"Women who experience domestic and family violence while working casual jobs are so often placed in an absolutely untenable position, having to decide whether to escape a dangerous situation or show up to work so they can eat," she said.

"This is just such good news, and not just for QUT employees.

"This shows how our community understanding of DV is changing, and so are our expectations around how we support Queenslanders who are experiencing DV."

Griffith University offers employees up to 10 days of paid domestic violence leave each calendar year.

Loading

A Griffith University spokesman said if that balance was exhausted, an employee could also seek approval to access family and other special circumstances leave, sick or carer's leave, recreation leave, long service leave or leave without pay.

"Staff counselling services are available for both staff and family members incorporating up to four free sessions per person," he said.

At the University of Queensland, specific provisions allowing for 10 days of domestic violence leave will be enshrined in a newly-agreed enterprise agreement, which is awaiting Fair Work Commission approval.

Current arrangements at UQ, including special leave, flexible work arrangements and other support mechanisms, will remain in place until the new enterprise agreement is formally adopted.

The Palaszczuk government introduced domestic and family violence leave for its employees in 2016.

Public sector workers, including casual employees, can access a minimum of 10 days paid domestic violence leave each year.

Employees are not required to take a full 10 days, which can be taken individually or as a block, and an agency can grant additional discretionary paid or unpaid special leave.