Paid Parental Leave

Australia's national Paid Parental Leave scheme currently provides leave for a total of 18 weeks which can be shared by eligible parents after the birth or adoption of their child. The leave is fully funded by the Australian Government and is paid at the adult minimum wage for each week of leave, with benefits subject to normal taxation.

The scheme is provided in addition to existing employer funded paid parental leave schemes.

Paid parental leave encourages women to stay connected to the workforce while parenting full time and aims to increase women's workforce participation.

Dad and Partner Pay

Dad and Partner Pay is available to eligible fathers and partners caring for a child born or adopted from 1 January 2013. It provides eligible working fathers or partners, including adopting parents and parents in same-sex couples, with two weeks of Dad and Partner Pay at the rate of the National Minimum Wage.

Keeping in Touch days - staying connected to the workplace

Keeping in touch days allow an employee who is still on unpaid parental leave to go back to work for a few days. This is a good way for employees who are caring for a baby or newly adopted child to stay up to date with their workplace, refresh their skills and assist their return to work.

An employee on unpaid parental leave gets 10 keeping in touch days. This doesn't affect their unpaid parental leave entitlement and is paid at their normal wage. If the employee extends their period of unpaid parental leave beyond 12 months, they can take an additional 10 days.

Work on a keeping in touch day may include: