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The Australian Government provides a Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme that entities eligible parents of newborn children (or adopted children under 18) to:
- Up to 18 weeks of paid leave: This includes an entitlement of up to 2 weeks of Dad and Partner Pay (DPP) if the primary carer agrees to share care.
- A minimum rate of $772.60 per week (before tax): The payment rate is linked to the National Minimum Wage and is adjusted once a year on July 1.
Eligibility for PPL scheme:
- You are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or Special Category Visa (SCV) holder.
- Your child is an Australian citizen or a permanent resident.
- You have been working in Australia for at least 10 of the 13 months before the birth or adoption.
- Your income was below a certain threshold in the 12-13 months before the child's birth or adoption. The income thresholds vary depending on family circumstances, number of children, and whether the second parent takes parental leave.
- You have not claimed more than the maximum number of weeks of PPL allowed.
Applying for PPL scheme
To claim PPL, eligible parents must apply to Services Australia. The application should be made within 28 days of the expected birth or adoption date or earlier if you have already welcomed a child. You will need to provide the following information when applying:
- Personal details
- Information about the child
- Employment information
- Income details
- Details about your partner's income and leave arrangements (if applicable)
Payment of PPL
PPL payments are usually made fortnightly. The payments will start from the date you commenced PPL and meet all eligibility requirements. You can choose for the payments to be deposited into your bank account, or the Australian Government can issue a PPL debit card.
Note: It's important to check with Services Australia for the most current information on eligibility, payment rates, and application processes, as the PPL scheme is subject to regular reviews and updates.