Paid Parental Leave for Dads and Partners, - Australia

Legislation introduced into federal parliament would extend the paid parental leave (PPL) scheme to eligible fathers and other partners.

The current PPL scheme gives eligible working parents up to 18 weeks' parental leave pay at the national minimum wage rate - currently about $590 per week before tax.

The Paid Parental Leave and Other Legislation Amendment (Dad and Partner Pay and Other Measures) Bill 2012 will give eligible fathers and partners two weeks' dad and partner pay at the same rate.

It will be available to eligible fathers and partners - including adoptive parents and parents in same-sex couples - who care for a child born or adopted from 1 January 2013. Eligible fathers and partners must care for the child - either as the primary carer or jointly with the other parent - and must not be working or on paid leave while receiving the payment.

As with the existing PPL scheme, dad and partner pay will be available to eligible full-time, part-time, casual, seasonal, contract and self-employed workers. They will have to meet the same work and residency requirements as candidates for PPL currently do.

The same income test will also apply to applicants for dad and partner pay. The payment will be available in addition to any employer-funded paid leave.

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