In Australia, paid parental leave is primarily paid by Centrelink, which is a service delivery agency of the Australian Government’s Department of Human Services. Centrelink administers and pays government-funded Parental Leave Pay to eligible individuals.
The Parental Leave Pay is provided by the Australian Government to eligible parents who take time off work to care for a newborn or recently adopted child. It is separate from any paid parental leave or maternity leave benefits that an employer may offer.
The payment is made directly to the eligible individual by Centrelink. The individual needs to apply for Parental Leave Pay through Centrelink and provide the necessary documentation to support their claim.
It’s important to note that while Centrelink pays the Parental Leave Pay, employers may still have a role in the process. Employers may be required to provide necessary information or documentation to Centrelink to support their employee’s claim for Parental Leave Pay. They may also need to make appropriate leave arrangements for the employee during the period of parental leave.