Paid parental leave entitlements are about to change

From 1 July, two entitlements – Parental Leave Pay and Dad and Partner Pay – will be combined into one payment.

That means the current entitlement to 18 weeks’ paid parental leave pay will be combined with the current Dad and Partner Pay entitlement to two weeks’ pay. 

As a result, partnered couples will be able to claim up to 20 weeks’ paid parental leave between them, with each partner taking at least two weeks (except in some circumstances). Parents who are single at the time of their claim will be able to access the full 20 weeks.

Other paid parental leave changes include:

• Introducing a $350,000 family income limit for claiming paid parental leave pay.
• Expanding the eligibility rules for fathers or partners to claim paid parental leave pay.
• Making the whole payment flexible, so eligible employees can claim it in multiple blocks until the child turns two.
• Removing the requirement to return to work to be eligible for the entitlement.

Parents can take their parental leave days at the same time; and they can do so at the same time as paid leave and between periods of paid work.

This is designed to give parents more flexibility to manage their work and care arrangements.