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Helping parents balance work and family choices
Working parents will have the financial security to take time off work to care for their baby at home during the vital early months of their child's life thanks to the passing of the Paid Parental Leave scheme on 17 June 2010. Under the scheme, working parents in seasonal, casual and contract work, and the self-employed, will have access to Paid Parental Leave - most of them for the first time.
Working parents of children born or adopted on or after 1 January 2011 may get 18 weeks of government-funded pay at the rate of the National Minimum Wage ($570 each week before tax), to help them take time off work to care for a new child.
To be eligible, a parent must:
- have been in paid work for at least 10 of the 13 months prior to the birth or adoption of the child, and
- have worked at least 330 hours in that 10 month period (just over one day a week), with no more than eight week unpaid break between working days.
- have an individual adjusted taxable income of $150,000 or less
- be an Australian resident.
Parents can lodge a claim for Paid Parental Leave up to three months before the birth or adoption of their child, starting 1 October 2010. Usually, the mother must apply for Paid Parental Leave. A mother can transfer some or all of her pay to her partner if her partner is eligible.
To learn more about the Paid Parental Leave scheme and entitlement visit the Family Assist website. Parents can also call 13 61 50, and employers can call 13 11 58, for more information.