Are you taking parenting leave this year?
These are the changes to the Government Paid Parental Leave Scheme you need to be aware of.
From 1 July 2023, the current entitlement to 18 weeks’ paid parental leave will be combined with the current Dad and Partner Pay entitlement of 2 weeks’ paid leave.
This means families will be able to claim up to 20 weeks (100 days) paid parental leave between them.
As is the case now, such leave is also available to adoptive parents.
These changes will allow more flexibility in sharing the primary care giver role.
Parents who are single at the time of their claim can access the full 20 weeks.
These changes affect employees whose baby is born or placed in their care on or after 1 July 2023.
Changes include:
- allowing families to claim a maximum of 20 weeks’ pay between them
- each partner must take at least 2 weeks paid leave for the family to be able to access the full 20 weeks (except under exceptional circumstances)
- introducing a $350,000 family income limit (indexed annually from 1 July 2024) for claiming paid parental leave pay
- expanding the eligibility rules for partners to claim paid parental leave pay
- making the whole payment flexible so that eligible employees can claim it in multiple blocks until the child turns 2
- removing the requirement to return to work to be eligible for the entitlement.
It is important that you fully understand the changes as it affects you.
Services Australia is the government organisation that manages the paid parental leave scheme.
For more detailed information on the changes go the this link on the Services Australia website:
Parental Leave Pay for a child born or adopted from 1 July 2023 – Services Australia
If you need assistance with how this affects your leave planning please contact our office – 8410 0122 or enquiries@ieusa.org.au
