The ACTU is pursuing its claim before the Fair Work Commission for paid domestic violence leave to be a workplace right for all workers who suffer the abuse.
The council of trade unions will front the Fair Work Commission on Thursday to make the guts of its argument for 10 days paid domestic violence leave for employees as an award condition, which it says would benefit more than six million Australian workers.
The push is being opposed by a range of industry groups, who have lodged responses to dismiss the claim on technical grounds, the ACTU says.
Thursday's hearing in Sydney is expected to assess the competing claims, before the commission decides how the hearings should move forward.
ACTU president Ged Kearney said paid domestic violence leave would allow women to escape violent relationships and keep their jobs, while being supported at work.
"Domestic violence is a systemic issue involving a wide range of social, economic and cultural factors that must be addressed in the public sphere - including workplaces," Ms Kearney said.
The claim, first flagged in May, has drawn support from Australian of the Year Rosie Batty.
Ms Kearney has called for employers to support the bid.
"Employers are often very ready to say they are part of the community and we expect this sentiment to prevail in relation to supporting domestic violence leave," she said.
More than 1.6 million Australian workers were able to access domestic violence leave through union negotiated workplace agreements, the ACTU said.
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