What is Paid Parental Leave?

The Australian Government is planning to deliver Australia's first national Paid Parental Leave Scheme from 1 January 2011. Paid Parental Leave:

• is funded by the Australian Government

• is for mothers who have been working before the birth of their child

• can be transferred to the other parent

• is paid at the National Minimum Wage (currently $543.78 a week before tax

• lasts for up to 18 weeks

• can be taken for up to 18 weeks

• can be taken any time in the first year after birth

• is also available to adoptive parents

Decisions that you make now about work could affect your eligibility for Paid Parental Leave. However, in planning you should take into account that the Government's proposed Paid Parental Leave scheme is yet to be passed by Parliament.