Paid Parental Leave Eligibility in Australia

The Federal Government provides new parents in Australia with the Paid Parental Leave Scheme.

The goal of paid parental leave is to provide new parents with a period of time away from work to look after their new child, rest and recuperate.

This scheme currently offers up to 18 weeks of paid leave for workers while you care for a child born or adopted before 1 July 2023.

Under new laws that passed the Parliament in March 2024, the amount of time available for leave is increasing by two weeks each year from July 2024, to 26 weeks by 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does parental leave work?

Parental leave is a period that allows new parents to take time off work to look after a new child. Under the Federal Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme, this is paid at the national minimum wage and is paid to employees during a standard pay cycle.

The Paid Parental Leave scheme provides two payments: Parental Leave Pay and Partner Pay. The former is for the primary career whilst the latter is for partners and fathers.

Paid Parental Leave cannot be provided in one lump sum payment, nor can you take it at half pay. Parental leave is gender neutral and any primary carer giving birth to or adopting a child is eligible.

Employees must have worked for at least 10 of the 13 months before birth or adoption of their child, for a total of at least at least 330 hours.  

Employers are not permitted to decrease your rate of pay or change your role within the company because you are on parental leave or for reasons including that reason.

The scheme is funded by the Government although employers must still process payments through their payroll.

Employees may also be entitled to 52 weeks of unpaid leave from their employment.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible you must:

  • Be the primary carer of a newborn or adopted child.
  • Earned less than $151,350 in the previous financial year.
  • Agree not to complete any paid work while you are receiving paid parental leave.
  • Be able to meet the criteria of income, employment and residency tests to be completed online.

To confirm whether you are eligible, please visit the Services Australia website.

How many weeks do you get for parental leave?

For a child born or adopted before 1 July 2023, the scheme currently offers up to 18 weeks of paid leave for workers.

If your child’s birth or entry into care is on or after 1 July 2024, the amount of time your family will get depends on your child’s date of birth or adoption:

Child’s date of birth or adoption is fromYour family can get up to
1 July 2023100 days
1 July 2024110 days
1 July 2025120 days
1 July 2026130 days

In addition to these minimum entitlements, enterprise agreements, workplace policies or employment contracts may provide other benefits.

How much are the payments?

If you are eligible for this scheme, you will be paid at the national minimum wage rate during the time you are on parental leave.

Paid Parental Leave is currently $882.75 per week. This is funded by the Government although employers may also make paid leave contributions and must still process payments through their payroll.

Do employers have to pay parental leave?

In addition to government-funded paid parental leave, employers often have their own paid parental leave policy. This allows employees to take off work for the birth of a child. This leave is often unpaid, but some enterprise agreements, policies and employment contracts do offer paid parental leave.

How many parental leave days can you take?

In addition to these minimum entitlements, enterprise agreements, workplace policies or employment contracts may provide other benefits.

Does parental leave affect your super?

Currently, minimum standards do not require employers to make super contributions on payments made under the paid parental leave scheme or during a period of unpaid leave. However, enterprise agreements, workplace policies or employment contracts may provide these benefits.

From 1 July 2025, the Federal Government will pay superannuation on paid parental leave.

The Paid Parental Leave scheme does not prevent you from making voluntary super contributions during parental leave, and some parents choose to do so to ensure their balance continues to grow during this important time.

Can you take paid parental leave at half pay?

No, parental leave must be paid according to your normal pay cycle. For example, if you usually receive a fortnightly payment then this is how you will receive your Parental Leave Pay. It is not possible to take this amount at half pay, over an extended period.

What about unpaid leave?

If you have confirmed your eligibility for Paid Parental Leave Scheme and have been employed for at least 12 months (excluding any unauthorised absences), then you have the right to take up to 1 year of unpaid leave from work. There is nothing to stop you from accessing both at the same time – meaning you can organise both paid and unpaid leave concurrently.  However, because the work test and minimum period of employment for the Paid Parental Leave Scheme and unpaid parental leave are slightly different, there may be some circumstances where you may qualify for one before you qualify for the other.

Some enterprise bargaining agreements, policies or contracts also provide paid parental leave on top of the Federal Government’s Paid Parental Leave Scheme. This means that you will receive payments from both your employer and the government during this time.

Eligibility to payment from your employer is dependent upon your Award and agreements, so it is advisable to discuss this prior to your leave period commencing.  If you have a partner and you are both considering taking some leave, please read our section on Paternity and Partner Leave too.

When can I start parental leave?

If you are pregnant, you can start your unpaid parental leave up to 6 weeks before your due date. If you would like to begin your leave sooner then it is possible to arrange this with your employer.

If you are not giving birth, such as in the case of a partner or an adoption, then your leave will commence on the date of birth or placement of the child. Payment under the paid parental leave scheme does not commence until after the child has been born.

Enter your email to access our expert workplace information

Almost two million union members have contributed to us providing this free workplace factsheet. Because you’ve read a few of our factsheets, we’re asking for your email address to keep reading. This is so we can keep you updated with the latest news and workplace advice.

Don’t worry: our factsheets will always remain free, thanks to the solidarity of the union movement.

View our Privacy Policy

Do you want some further information about Paid Parental Leave Eligibility in Australia?


The Australian Unions Support Centre provides free and confidential assistance and information for all workplace issues. We’re here to provide support, regardless of your job or industry.

All Support Centre enquiries are 100% confidential.

Contact Australian Unions

Ready to join a union?


The best way to make sure your rights at work are protected is to join a union.

Join your union