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Paid Parental Leave scheme

The Paid Parental Leave scheme provides financial support to eligible working parents of children born or adopted from 1 January 2011.

The Paid Parental Leave scheme provides a government funded entitlement for working parents who meet the eligibility criteria. If eligible, you will be able to receive Parental Leave Pay at the National Minimum Wage, for up to 18 weeks. You have to pay tax on the amount you get.

Information for employers

Employers interested in learning more about the Paid Parental Leave scheme can refer to the Centrelink page - Paid Parental Leave scheme for business

Dad and Partner Pay

Subject to the passage of legislation, the Paid Parental Leave scheme will be expanded with a new payment for dads and other eligible partners from 1 January 2013. To find out more about Dad and Partner Pay, visit the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website.

Parental Leave Pay and Baby Bonus cannot be paid for the same child. If you meet the eligibility for both payments, you can choose which one payment is the best financial decision for your family. You should use the Paid Parental Leave Comparison Estimator to work out which payment is the best for your family.

You may be able to receive Parental Leave Pay if you:

  • are the primary carer of a newborn child or recently adopted child
  • meet the Paid Parental Leave scheme work test before the birth or adoption occurs
  • are on leave or not working from the time you become the child’s primary carer until the end of your Paid Parental Leave period

Residency and income requirements also apply.

The scheme gives you Parental Leave Pay but not an entitlement to leave. If your employer currently provides an employer-funded scheme such as paid maternity or parental leave through an industrial agreement, they cannot withdraw the entitlement for the life of that agreement.

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