Dad and Partner Pay

If you are an eligible working dad or partner, you can get up to two weeks of government-funded pay at the rate of the National Minimum Wage (currently $606.50 per week before tax) when you are on unpaid leave from work or are not working.

To be eligible for Dad and Partner Pay, you need to be one of the following:

• biological father of the child
• partner of the birth mother
• adopting parent
• partner of the adopting parent
• parent in a surrogacy arrangement
• partner of a parent in a surrogacy arrangement, or
• same-sex partner of:
  • the birth mother,
  • biological father, or
  • the adopting parent

And, you:

• are able to meet residence requirements
• provide care for a child born or adopted from 1 January 2013
• had an individual adjusted taxable income of $150,000 or less in the financial year either before the date of your claim or the date your Dad and Partner Pay period starts (whichever is earlier)
• meet the work test, which requires you to have worked for:
  • at least 10 of the 13 months before the date your Dad and Partner Pay period starts, and
  • at least 330 hours in that 10 month period (just over a day a week), with no more than an eight week gap between two consecutive working days, and
• are on unpaid leave or not working during your Dad and Partner Pay period

Your Dad and Partner Pay period is the time you take off work and get Dad and Partner Pay for up to two weeks at one time.

If you are the birth mother, you are not eligible for Dad and Partner Pay but you may be eligible for Parental Leave Pay or Baby Bonus. The birth mother does not need to receive Parental Leave Pay for the father or partner to get Dad and Partner Pay.

In the case of a multiple birth or adoption, for example twins, Dad and Partner Pay can only be paid once.

You may still be eligible for Dad and Partner Pay in the case of a stillbirth or infant death. For more information, read about Bereavement Payment or call us on 136 150.

Dad and Partner Pay is up to two weeks of government-funded pay at the rate of the National Minimum Wage (currently $606.50 per week before tax) when you are on unpaid leave from work or are not working.

We will pay you after your child is born or adopted and your claim is finalised. If you choose to take your Dad and Partner Pay period at a later date, we will pay you at that time.

We pay the money into your bank account in one instalment.

Dad and Partner Pay is taxable income and may affect other family assistance payments.

Your family can still be eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A and Part B, but you need to include Dad and Partner Pay in your family assistance income estimate.

We do not treat Dad and Partner Pay as income for Parenting Payment or other income support payments, such as Disability Support Pension or Newstart Allowance.

If eligible, your family can receive Baby Bonus or Parental Leave Pay for the same child you receive Dad and Partner Pay for.

As an individual, you may be able to receive both Dad and Partner Pay and Parental Leave Pay (but not at the same time). You can receive a maximum of 18 weeks pay under the Paid Parental Leave scheme as an individual.

You do not need to be working full-time to meet the work test. To meet the work test, you must have worked:

• at least 10 of the 13 months before the date your Dad and Partner Pay period starts, and
• at least 330 hours in that 10 month period (just over a day a week), with no more than an eight week gap between two consecutive working days

You could meet the work test if you:

• are a full-time, part-time, casual or seasonal worker
• are a contractor or self-employed
• work in a family business
• have had multiple employers
• have recently changed jobs

If you work for a family business or are self-employed, you can include your hours of work even if the business is not making any income.

A working day is a day you have worked for at least one hour.

You may still be eligible for Dad and Partner Pay if an exceptional circumstance, such as premature birth, means you cannot meet the work test.

Dad and Partner Pay does not change your workplace leave entitlements.

If you have worked continuously for your employer for 12 months or more, you may be entitled to 12 months unpaid parental leave under the National Employment Standards in the Fair Work Act 2009. You may also be able to extend that time by up to 12 months if your employer agrees.

If you are part of a couple and you are both entitled to unpaid parental leave, there are some other entitlements you should be aware of. For instance, you and your partner are able to take three weeks of your unpaid leave at the same time either immediately after the birth or adoption or, if your employer agrees, at any time in the first six weeks after your child’s birth or adoption. Also, you are entitled to 24 months unpaid parental leave between the two of you.

Visit Fairwork - Leave on the Fair Work Ombudsman website to learn more about taking unpaid parental leave and talk to your employer.

If you have worked for your employer for less than 12 months, consider speaking with them to negotiate unpaid leave.

To be eligible for Dad and Partner Pay you must satisfy residence requirements. When your child is born, or comes into your primary care, you must be living in Australia and:

• have Australian citizenship, or
• hold a permanent visa, or
• hold a special category visa, or
• hold a certain temporary visa type for example a partner provisional, interdependency or temporary protection visa

You must continue to meet the residence requirements for as long as you get this payment.

If you qualify for Dad and Partner Pay, you may be entitled to other payments and benefits, such as:

Our self service options are a quick and effective way to deal with us. You can use self service where it's convenient to you and manage things yourself:

• online - you need to register to use some of the services, then you can do many things where and when it suits you
• on your mobile device - our Express Plus mobile apps are simple, fast and convenient, giving you more choices for dealing with Centrelink
• on the phone - you can self-register for Centrelink Phone Self Service
• using a self service terminal at one of our Service Centres

You need to tell us if your circumstances change. For example, if:

• you do not have care of the child during your Dad and Partner Pay period
• you work or take paid leave during your Dad and Partner Pay period
• you no longer meet residence requirements
• you change your address
• your income changes
• you leave Australia, even for a short time, or return to Australia

You must tell us as soon as possible about changes to your circumstances that may affect your Dad and Partner Pay entitlement.

If you are self-employed, you can keep an eye on your business without losing your Dad and Partner Pay. This means you can oversee your business’ operations and perform the occasional administrative task.

There are rules about getting your payment when you leave Australia.

Read more about payments paid while outside Australia

If the person who claims Dad and Partner Pay is a parent of a newborn, they also need to register or apply to register the birth. To find out how to register the birth, refer to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry in your state or territory.

If you are an employer, read more about the Paid Parental Leave scheme and how it might affect your business.

Dad and Partner Pay – supporting the role of dads or partners brochure has information for parents about the payment.

Dad and Partner Pay - the facts of life for employers factsheet has information for employers about the payment.

To download Dad and Partner Pay promotional products for parents, employers and diverse audiences; translated materials; advertising; and media releases, visit the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website