Parents across the country are to receive six months of paid parental leave, boosting the current leave from 20 to 26 weeks.
Announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, an increase to the Paid Parental Leave (PPL) Scheme was one of the most frequent proposals raised by participants at the Jobs and Skills Summit in September.
“Families will have access to more leave and enjoy greater flexibility, with extended PPL able to be taken in blocks between periods of paid work,” Mr Albanese said.
“Single parents will be entitled to the full leave payable so their children don’t miss out,” he said.
“Importantly, the Government will maintain ‘use it or lose it’ weeks to encourage and facilitate more dads and partners to access PPL, so that both parents can share in those precious early days and share the caring responsibilities more equally.”
Mr Albanese said that following the introduction of reforms next year, the PPL Scheme would be expanded by two weeks a year from July 2024 until it reached the full 26 weeks from July 2026.
“The inaugural Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, chaired by Sam Mostyn, will examine the optimal model for 26 weeks and what mix of flexible weeks and use it or lose it component for each parent will deliver the best outcome for families and encourage more shared parenting,” he said.
