In Australia, employers are not directly responsible for paying maternity leave themselves. Maternity leave in Australia is primarily funded through the government-funded Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme. Under this scheme, eligible employees receive payments directly from the government, not their employers.
The PPL scheme provides eligible employees with up to 18 -20 weeks of paid leave at the national minimum wage. The payments are administered by the Australian Government Department of Human Services.
While employers do not have a direct obligation to pay maternity leave, they may have additional benefits or provisions in place to support employees during their maternity leave. Some employers offer their own paid parental leave schemes or top-up payments to supplement the government-funded maternity leave. These additional provisions vary depending on the employer and may be subject to specific policies or agreements.
It’s important to check with your employer’s policies, employment contract, or human resources department to understand the specific maternity leave benefits and provisions available to you. Additionally, the Fair Work Act in Australia protects employees from discrimination or adverse treatment due to pregnancy or taking maternity leave, ensuring that employees can access their entitlements without fear of repercussions.