Examples of the newly arrived resident’s waiting period

Whether the newly arrived resident’s waiting period applies to you depends on your circumstances. These examples show situations where the waiting period has been served and where it hasn’t.

When the waiting period has been served

You served the waiting period before your child’s birth

Jenna entered Australia to live on 3 July 2021, holding a non-qualifying temporary visa. She was granted a permanent residence visa on 10 January 2023. Her waiting period starts on 10 January 2023. Jenna hasn’t travelled outside of Australia since the start of her waiting period.

Jenna gave birth to Piper on 8 June 2026.

As Jenna has been physically in Australia as an Australian resident for at least 2 years before Piper’s birth, Jenna has served the waiting period for Parental Leave Pay.

You went overseas during the waiting period

Abbey was granted a permanent residence visa on 24 March 2024 and has been living in Australia since then. Abbey’s waiting period starts on 24 March 2024, with an original projected end date of 22 March 2026.

On 31 August 2025, Abbey travelled to the UK for a 3 month holiday. These 3 months don’t count towards the waiting period, so Abbey’s waiting period end date is extended by 3 months. This means Abbey’s waiting period will now end on 22 June 2026.

Abbey gave birth to Jonah on 30 June 2026. As Abbey served the waiting period before Jonah’s birth, Abbey meets the residence requirements for Parental Leave Pay.

It’s important to remember that time spent outside Australia doesn’t count towards the waiting period.

When the waiting period hasn’t been served

You went overseas during the waiting period

Alison was granted a permanent residence visa on 24 April 2024 and has been living in Australia since then. Her original projected waiting period end date was 22 April 2026.

On 5 May 2025, Alison travelled to New Zealand for a 7 day holiday. As Alison wasn’t inside Australia for those 7 days, the waiting period end date is extended by 7 days. This means Alison won’t serve the waiting period for Parental Leave Pay until 29 April 2026.

Alison gave birth to Hugo on 26 April 2026. Alison isn’t eligible for Parental Leave Pay as she hadn’t served the waiting period before Hugo’s birth.

It’s important to remember that time spent outside Australia doesn’t count towards the waiting period.

Your partner hasn’t served the waiting period

Sebastian was granted a non-qualifying temporary visa on 17 October 2025 and has been living in Australia since then. He was granted a permanent residence visa on 27 June 2026. Sebastian’s waiting period starts on 27 June 2026.

Sebastian’s partner Emma gave birth to their child, Sam, on 5 July 2026.

Sebastian lodged a claim for Parental Leave Pay on 1 September 2026. As Sebastian hadn’t served the waiting period before Sam’s birth, he isn’t eligible for Parental Leave Pay.

Emma is an Australian citizen, so she has an exemption from the waiting period. If she meets all Parental Leave Pay eligibility criteria, she can claim up to 22 weeks (110 days) of Parental Leave Pay for Sam.

The birth mother hasn’t served the waiting period

Julie and Trevor arrived in Australia on 2 July 2025 to live. Trevor is an Australian citizen. Julie holds a permanent residence visa, granted on 1 July 2025. Julie needs to wait 2 years before she has served the waiting period for Parental Leave Pay.

On 15 June 2026, Julie gave birth to Grace. Julie lodges a post birth Parental Leave Pay claim. As Julie hadn’t served the waiting period before Grace’s birth, Julie isn’t eligible for Parental Leave Pay.

Julie can give approval for Trevor to claim Parental Leave Pay for Grace because Trevor meets the residence requirements. Trevor may be able to claim up to 21 weeks (105 days) of Parental Leave Pay for Grace.

More information

You can read more about residence rules for Parental Leave Pay.