The Australian Government has announced a plan to add an additional six weeks of Paid Parental Leave (PPL) for families, bumping the total leave payable up to 26 weeks.

According to the announcement, the Government will start expanding the scheme from July 2024 with two additional weeks a year until the scheme reaches its full 26 weeks from July 2026.

The Government will also introduce reforms to modernise the system and improve flexibility from July next year. Families will be able to take PPL in blocks between periods of paid work; and 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 the caring responsibilities more equally.

Single parents will also be entitled to the full leave payable so their children don’t miss out.

The Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, chaired by Sam Mostyn AO, 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.

Further detail of this important measure will be released on Budget night.

Currently, the primary carer can get 18 weeks of Paid Parental Leave, while there is a separate “Dad and Partner Pay” for two weeks.

 

 

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