CHANGES TO PAID LEAVE FOR PARENTS
NEW parents will be able to access more flexible paid parental leave after major changes passed parliament this week.
The government’s legislation, which combines two existing payments into a shared 20-week-scheme; expends access; and makes it easier for new fathers to obtain paid leave is the latest tranche of reforms to paid parental leave.
It will come into effect for parents whose babies were born or adopted from July 2023.
From then, either parent can apply for paid parental leave first, while they will also be able to access the entitlement in multiple blocks – meaning they will be able to take as little as one day, while working either side.
Single parents will be able to access the full 20-week entitlement.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the first round of major reforms, which passed on Monday, would be a boost to supporting gender equality.
By 2026, Labor wants paid parental leave to be available for 26 weeks total, however that is still well below the OECD average of 60 weeks.
“Improving paid parental leave is a critical, notionbuilding reform. Paid parental leave is vital for the health and wellbeing of parents and their children,” she said.
“We know that investing in paid parental leave benefits our economy. And we know that done right, paid parental leave – both government and employer schemes – can advance gender equality.”
The Greens however, want the changes to come into effect sooner, and want superannuation to be paid on the leave.
HESTA chief executive Debby Blakey has also called for the government to outline its plan to pay superannuation on paid parental leave.