In Australia, eligible employees are entitled to a period of paid maternity leave through the government-funded scheme called the Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme or Parental Leave Pay (PLP). Under this scheme, eligible employees can receive up to 18 weeks of paid leave at the national minimum wage.
- The first PLP period is a set period of 12 weeks. This has to be used in 1 continuous period within 12 months of the birth or adoption of a child.
- The second PLP period allows an employee to use up to 30 days of flexible PLP. The flexible PLP period:
- can be taken in flexible periods as negotiated by the employee with their employer
- has to be taken within 24 months of the birth or adoption of a child
- usually starts after the first PLP period ends.
To be eligible for paid maternity leave in Australia, you generally need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be the primary carer of a newborn or recently adopted child.
- You must have worked for at least 10 of the 13 months before the birth or adoption, with at least 330 hours worked during that period.
- You must meet residency requirements and be an Australian citizen or hold a relevant visa.
It’s important to note that specific details and eligibility criteria for maternity leave in Australia may be subject to change. I recommend checking the Australian government’s official websites, such as the Fair Work Ombudsman (www.fairwork.gov.au) or the Department of Human Services (www.humanservices.gov.au), for the most up-to-date and accurate information on maternity leave entitlements in Australia.