Parental Leave Pay

A payment for up to 18 weeks while you care for your new child.

Paid Parental Leave is changing

Parental Leave Pay is changing from 1 July 2023. If your child’s birth or entry into your care is on or after this date, this will affect you. Read more about the changes if you get family payments.

To get this you must meet all of the following:

  • be the primary carer of a newborn or newly adopted child
  • have met the income test
  • not be working during your Paid Parental Leave period except for allowable reasons
  • have met the work test
  • have registered or applied to register your child’s birth with your state or territory birth registry, if they’re a newborn.

Read the full conditions under who can get it.

Watch our video about Parental Leave Pay.

You must also claim Parental Leave Pay within the claiming timeframes.

You can manage your Flexible Paid Parental Leave days online.

If you’re an employer, read more about the Paid Parental Leave scheme for employers and how to help your employees.

Page last updated: 20 January 2023.