If you are a parent or planning to become one, you may be interested in the recent changes to the paid parental leave scheme in Australia. The scheme provides financial support to eligible working parents who take time off work to care for a newborn or newly adopted child.
The changes, which came into effect on 1 July 2020, aim to make the scheme more flexible and accessible for diverse families and work arrangements. Here are some of the key features of the new scheme:
- You can split your paid parental leave period into two blocks: one continuous block of up to 12 weeks, and one flexible block of up to 30 days. You can use the flexible block anytime within the first two years of your child's birth or adoption.
- You can access your paid parental leave before or after any employer-funded leave, such as maternity or paternity leave. You can also combine your paid parental leave with unpaid leave or other types of leave, such as annual leave or long service leave.
- You can change your nominated start date for your paid parental leave up to the day before it begins, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria and notify Centrelink in advance.
- You can transfer some or all of your paid parental leave to your partner, if they are also eligible for the scheme and agree to the transfer. This can help you share the caring responsibilities and balance work and family commitments.
The new scheme also introduces some changes to the eligibility criteria and payment rates for paid parental leave. To find out more about these changes and how they may affect you, visit the Services Australia website or contact Centrelink..
