Paid Parental Leave Act 2010

If you have a partner, some of those days are reserved for your partner to use — encouraging both parents to share caring responsibilities.

Superannuation bonus: Since amendments, the scheme also pays a super (superannuation = retirement savings) contribution on top of the parental leave pay itself, helping reduce the long-term financial hit of taking leave.

Key eligibility rules

To qualify, you generally must:

1. Pass a work test — you must have worked at least 330 hours over a roughly 10-month period before your child arrives (some flexibility for premature births, pregnancy complications, COVID-19 impacts, and special circumstances)
2. Pass an income test — your income (and combined income if partnered) must fall under the limits
3. Be an Australian resident (or certain visa holders)
4. Actually be caring for the child on the days you claim
5. Not be doing more than 1 hour of paid work on each day you claim

How is it paid?

• If you take 40+ consecutive weekday PPL days, your employer may be required to pass the payments to you (the government funds the employer)
• In other cases (e.g. contractors, self-employed, or when employer arrangements aren't in place), the government pays you directly

Flexibility

The 'flexible' nature means you don't have to take all the days at once or in a block — you can spread them across the first two years of your child's life. You can also transfer some days to your partner by giving them 'permission' to claim.

What if something goes wrong?

There are review processes — first internally (you can ask for a decision to be reviewed), and then through the Administrative Review Tribunal if you're still unhappy. The government can also reclaim payments made incorrectly (debts), and employers face civil penalties for not complying with their obligations.