Australia’s first national Paid Parental Leave scheme will start from 1 January 2011. It will provide eligible working parents with 18 weeks of Parental Leave Pay at the National Minimum Wage, currently $570 a week before tax.
Parental Leave Pay will be fully funded by the Government.
Legislation for the Paid Parental Leave scheme was passed by Parliament on 17 June 2010 and received Royal Assent on 14 July 2010.
Parents and employers can find out more about the scheme, its eligibility requirements and how it will operate at the Family Assistance Office website.