Paid Parental Leave increases to 24 weeks from Tuesday, 1 July. Photo: File – Claire Fenwicke.
Changes to Paid Parental Leave kick in from Tuesday (1 July), and will give more support to about 180,000 families with new children.
The amount of Paid Parental Leave available to families will increase by two weeks to 24 weeks.
The amount of leave parents can take off at the same time will increase from two to four weeks.
Thanks to the Government’s reforms, Paid Parental Leave will continue to expand to 26 weeks by 1 July 2026.
Parents will also benefit from an increase in the weekly payment rate of Paid Parental Leave, from $915.80 to $948.10 in line with the rise in the National Minimum Wage.
This equates to a total increase of $775.20 over the 24-week entitlement.
Superannuation will now also be paid on government Paid Parental Leave, a move the Federal Government is describing as a “huge step to help close the gender gap in retirement incomes”.
The 12 per cent contribution, based on the increase in the Superannuation Guarantee that also starts from 1 July, will be paid as a contribution to their nominated superannuation fund.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the changes were a good investment.
“Working parents across Australia are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newest additions to their families and to Paid Parental Leave reforms,” she said.
“Investing in more generous and flexible Paid Parental Leave is a no-brainer.
“For the first time ever, superannuation will be paid on Paid Parental Leave because Australian women told us they were worried about poverty in retirement and were sick of being penalised for parenting.
“It was a Labor government – the Gillard Government – that introduced Paid Parental Leave in this country, and when the Liberals and Nationals had their chance they tried to roll it back.”
Finance and Women Minister Katy Gallagher said the changes have a focus on women.
“The Albanese Government has consistently put Australian women at the heart of what we do, and from July 1 they will be even better off,” Senator Gallagher said.
“Last year, our Labor government passed laws to have superannuation paid on government parental leave payments for the first time, and that will start from Tuesday.
“PPL was the only form of paid leave that did not have superannuation paid on it – the Albanese Government fixed this to ensure women are not financially penalised for taking time out to care for children.”
Services Australia’s website outlines the changes that will start next week, increasing to 120 days.
Speaking directly to eligible parents, the site explains what is changing and how to claim the extra benefits.
“The following will also increase: the number of days reserved for your partner; the number of days you can take at the same time as another parent,” it states.
“The number of days you get is based on the date your child is born or comes into your care.
“If you submit a pre-birth claim before July, your Parental Leave Pays days balance will be 110 days.
“Once we get proof of your child’s birth or adoption and can confirm your child was born or adopted from 1 July 2025, we’ll add an extra 10 days to your balance. You won’t need to make a new claim.”
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
