Australia's first national Paid Parental Leave scheme started on 1 January 2011. It provides eligible working parents with 18 weeks of Parental Leave Pay at the National Minimum Wage, currently $589.40 a week before tax.
Parental Leave Pay is fully funded by the Australian Government.
Parents and employers can find out more about the scheme, eligibility requirements and how to apply at the Family Assistance Office website.
The Paid Parental Leave Guide is available to assist in understanding the associated law and its application.
New Dad and Partner Pay
Dad and Partner Pay will be a dedicated payment for fathers and other partners under the Australian Government’s national Paid Parental Leave scheme. Subject to the passage of legislation, the payment will be available to eligible fathers and other partners sharing care of a child born or adopted from 1 January 2013.
Under the new policy, eligible working dads and other partners will have access to two weeks pay at the national minimum wage, currently about $590 a week before tax. Dad and Partner Pay will help fathers and partners to take time off work to support the other parent and be involved in the care of their new child right from the start.
The Australian Government began a six week public consultation on Dad and Partner Pay on Fathers’ Day this year. The consultation period has now closed and the Government is considering submissions from employer, employee and community groups, families and individuals to help develop the final policy and draft the legislation. More detail is available in the Dad and Partner Pay Policy Statement released as part of that consultation.
Dad and Partner Pay is fully-funded by the Australian Government and will cost $188.5 million over five years (2010-11 to 2014-15).