Australia’s paid parental leave scheme is the biggest it has been since 2011. The government has announced that the scheme will now provide up to 26 weeks, six months of paid parental leave in total.
The government has said that the increase in the allowance is part of its commitment to supporting families. It is also hoped that the scheme will help to encourage more women to return to work after having a baby.
The paid parental leave allowance in Australia will now be increased by six weeks, while the extension can be taken in blocks between periods of paid work.
The primary carer of a newborn or newly adopted child is entitled to 18 weeks of paid leave, amounting to $812.45 per week. This amounts to a difference of $6499.
Under current rules, a second parent can take up to 10 payable days of partner leave.
The changes won’t begin until July 1, 2024, with two additional weeks a year until the scheme reaches its full 26 weeks from July 2026.