From 1 January 2011, a new Government paid parental leave scheme will provide all eligible working parents with 18 weeks payment at the Federal Minimum Wage currently $589.40 per week .
To be eligible for the government PPL Scheme, you must have completed at least 330 hours work (1 day per week) for 10 months in the 13 months prior to birth. This includes casuals, contractors and self- employed workers.
As of July 1st employers will receive funds directly from the FAO and provide parental leave pay to eligible employees in the regular payroll cycle. The parental leave pay is fully funded by the Commonwealth Government
The new Government payment is IN ADDITION to your 14 week paid parental leave under your current award and agreement.
As public education employees you are likely to be eligible for a number of paid and unpaid leave options both through the Federal Paid Parental Leave scheme and your employer (under your workplace agreement or Award), which means you may have some choices to make about:
- the timing of your leave (prior to and after the birth/adoption) and when you might like to return to work;
- whether you take full pay or half pay for any of your leave (if this option is available to you);
- whether you wish your partner to access any part of your paid leave;
- whether you will take other paid leave (such as Long Service Leave, or Annual Leave) and/or unpaid leave to maximise time or pay.
- Dad and Partner Pay is a new payment under the Australian Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme. It’s now available to eligible working dads or partners (including adopting parents and same-sex partners) who care for a child born or adopted from 1 January 2013.
For this reason, you should be aware of all the entitlements now available to you.