How long does it take for Dad and partner pay to be approved?

The length of time that goes by before you are paid your Dad and Partner Pay is dependent on whether or not your claim is finalized before your nominated start date. Ensure you have done the following:

  • Lodge a claim for your Dad and Partner Pay
  • Nominate a start date which could be your child’s birthday or adoption day. Ensure you do this within 50 weeks after your child is born or adopted.

Claim finalized before your nominated start date

Within a few days, your Dad and Partner Pay will be approved and paid if your claim is finalized before your nominated date. You will be paid when the Dad and Partner period begins; in a few days, you should get the money.

Claim finalized after your nominated start date

If your claim is finalized after the start date you nominated, you will be paid after your claim finalize.

How to claim

Complete the following steps to claim Dad and Partner Pay. Before you start, check if you can get it.

You can apply for the maximum 2 weeks of Dad and Partner Pay. You need to apply no more than 50 weeks after the birth or adoption of your child. The best time to apply is before the birth or adoption of your child. You can’t be paid before the birth or adoption of your child. Below is a list of steps to take in lodging your claim.

  1. Talk to your employer at least 10 weeks before your child’s expected date of birth or adoption, your intention to claim your Dad and Partner Pay and negotiate your unpaid leave.
  2. Get ready to claim. The easiest way to claim is online. To claim online, you need a Centrelink online account linked to myGov. If you don’t have a myGov account or a Centrelink online account you’ll need to set them up.  You’ll need to get some supporting documents ready to help answer some of the questions in the claim. You may need to prove your identity with us before you start your claim.
  3. Claim online. If your Centrelink account is linked to myGov you can apply online. To do this:
    • Sign in to myGov.
    • Select Make a claim or view claim status, then Make a claim.
    • Under Families select Get started.
    • Select Apply for Family Assistance Payments (including Paid Parental Leave) then follow the prompts to complete your claim. OR
  4. Call the Centrelink Families line on 136 150. You may also visit a service centre to lodge your claim.

Summary

You can nominate a start date for your Dad and Partner Pay in your claim. Your start date can be either:

  • the day of your child’s birth or adoption
  • another date, no more than 52 weeks after your child’s birth or adoption

You get paid when your Dad and Partner Pay period begins. You’ll get the payment within a few days of your start date.