What's the difference between parental leave and maternity leave?

Parental leave can be taken as a form of Family Medical Leave, or any other leave provided by the employer. Pregnancy, or maternity leave is a form of parental leave taken either for a disability related to pregnancy or childbirth or the time taken after birth to care for a newly born or newly placed child.

What's the difference in maternity and paternity?

Maternity leave is granted to mothers around the time of childbirth or adoption; paternity leave is reserved for fathers around the same time.

Is maternity leave and parental leave the same Australia?

Parental leave, sometimes referred to as maternity or paternity leave, is a type of leave that Australian employees are entitled to when they give birth, their spouse or de facto partner gives birth or they adopt a child under the age of 16.

How long is paid parental leave?

The duration of parental leave payments will increase from the current 18 weeks to 22 weeks from 1 July 2018, with a further increase to 26 weeks from 1 July 2020. 7.

How long is parental leave in Australia?

Parental Leave Pay is based on the weekly rate of the national minimum wage. You can get it for up to 18 weeks, which is 90 payable days. Complete the following steps to claim Parental Leave Pay. Before you start, check if you can get it.

Parental leave - overview

How does paid parental leave work?

If you're getting Parental Leave Pay

take the full 18 weeks of Parental Leave Pay in one block, or. split the leave into an initial 12 week block and then take 30 Flexible Paid Parental Leave days (equal to 6 weeks) if you've arranged to return to work part time.

What is the meaning of parental leave?

a leave of absence from a job for a parent to care for a new baby.

Do you get paid for parental leave?

Parental leave is usually unpaid – check your contract. Reasons you might take parental leave to be with your child could be to: spend more time with them. look after them during school holidays.

Is maternity leave paid or unpaid?

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) (Section 25) entitles the pregnant employee to at least four consecutive months' unpaid maternity leave. It further stipulates that the maternity leave must commence no later than four weeks before the expected date of birth of the child.

When can you go in maternity leave?

You can start your maternity leave any day from 11 weeks before your due date. Your maternity leave will start earlier than the date you pick if: your baby comes early, or.

How much maternity pay will I get?

Statutory Maternity Pay ( SMP ) is paid for up to 39 weeks. You get: 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first 6 weeks. £156.66 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks.

How is maternity pay calculated?

SMP is calculated by averaging your earnings over a period of at least 8 weeks up to and including the last pay day before the end of the qualifying week. For monthly-paid employees, For weekly-paid employees, the last eight pay slips before the end of the qualifying week are taken into account.

Who is entitled to maternity leave in Australia?

All employees in Australia are entitled to parental leave. Employees are able to take parental leave if they: have worked for their employer for at least 12 months: before the date or expected date of birth if the employee is pregnant.

How much is paid parental leave Australia?

Parental Leave Pay gives you up to 18 weeks of leave paid at the national minimum wage (currently $740.60 per week before tax). You are entitled to Parental Leave Pay from the Australian Government if you are: the birth mother of a newborn child. the adoptive parent of a child.

Is parental leave paid in Australia?

Australian Government Parental Leave Pay Scheme. Eligible employees who are the primary carer of a newborn or newly adopted child get up to 18 weeks' PLP, which is paid at the National Minimum Wage. From 1 July 2020, eligible employees can claim PLP for 1 set period and 1 flexible period. manage the PLP payment system.

Who is entitled to parental leave?

You're eligible for unpaid parental leave if you have, or will have, responsibility for the care of the child, and you've: worked for your employer for at least 12 months: before the date or expected date of birth.

Do you get maternity pay after 39 weeks?

The amount of maternity pay you get changes during your maternity leave. After 39 weeks, your employer doesn't have to pay you anything.

How can I maximize my maternity leave?

What benefits can you claim when pregnant?

income-related Employment and Support Allowance. Pension Credit. Housing Benefit. Child Tax Credit.

Can my employer refuse maternity leave?

Your employer cannot refuse to let you take maternity leave or refuse to let you change the start date providing you give notice as above.

How much notice do I need to give my employer for maternity leave?

You need to give your employer at least 8 weeks' notice of the date you intend to return from maternity leave. Ideally you would confirm this in writing if you haven't already.

What happens if I don't go back to work after maternity leave?

Remember, if you don't return to work you are still entitled to receive money for any holiday that you have remaining, including the time whilst you were on maternity leave. If you decide that you are not going to return to work during your maternity leave, you will still be entitled to receive statutory maternity pay.

How can I get free money while pregnant?

How much is the baby bonus?

The amount of Baby Bonus currently payable is $5,000 per eligible child and it is made in 13 fortnightly instalments. The first instalment is paid at a higher rate of $846.20 and the other 12 fortnights are paid at a rate of $346.15. The Baby Bonus is paid at the same rate to all families considered eligible.

How much is newborn upfront payment?

The Newborn Upfront Payment is a lump sum payment of $560 (amount correct January 2020). This amount is not taxable.