Paid parental leave

Changes to the Paid Parental Leave scheme

The Paid Parental Leave scheme changed from 1 July 2023. For a summary of the changes visit Changes to the Paid Parental Leave scheme.

Eligible employees can get parental leave pay from either or both:

  • the Australian Government under the Paid Parental Leave scheme
  • their employer.

Employer-funded paid parental leave doesn't affect an employee's eligibility for the Australian Government's Paid Parental Leave scheme. Employees can get both.

These employees are also still entitled to unpaid parental leave.

On this page:

Australian Government Paid Parental Leave scheme

From 1 July 2023, eligible employees who are the carer of a newborn or newly adopted child can get up to 20 weeks’ Parental Leave Pay, which is paid at the National Minimum Wage.

Services Australia is the government organisation that manages the Paid Parental Leave scheme. For more information about eligibility, making a claim, receiving payments and choosing how to take your payment, visit Services Australia – Parental Leave Pay.

For information about parental leave pay for a child born or adopted before 1 July 2023, visit Services Australia – Parental Leave Pay for a child born or adopted before 1 July 2023.

Record-keeping for Parental Leave Pay

In addition to their usual record-keeping requirements, employers whose employees are receiving Parental Leave Pay under the Paid Parental Leave scheme have to keep the following records:

  • the amount of Parental Leave Pay funding received from the Australian Government for each employee and the period it covers
  • the date each parental leave payment was made to the employee
  • the period each payment covers
  • the gross amount of the payment
  • the net amount paid and the amount of income tax withheld (including other payments, if any were made)
  • a statement identifying the payment as Parental Leave Pay under the Paid Parental Leave scheme
  • the amount of any deductions made from each payment.

Pay slips for Parental Leave Pay

Employees who get Parental Leave Pay have to get a pay slip for each payment. The pay slip has to specify that the payments are for Parental Leave Pay under the Paid Parental Leave scheme. For more information, see our Pay slips page.

Only certain deductions can be made from Parental Leave Pay under the Paid Parental Leave scheme. For more information, visit Services Australia – Providing Parental Leave Pay.

Employer-funded paid parental leave

Employers can provide paid parental leave in enterprise or other registered agreements, employment contracts, or workplace policies. The amount of leave, pay entitlements and rules about receiving paid parental leave will depend on the relevant agreement, contract or policy.

Employer-funded paid parental leave doesn't affect an employee's eligibility for the Australian Government's Paid Parental Leave scheme. Employees can get both.

Source reference: Paid Parental Leave Act 2010.

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