To request parental leave, employees must complete the 12-month qualifying period before they are eligible. An employee is entitled to parental leave when:
- They have given birth
- Their spouse or partner has given birth
- They have adopted a child under 16 years of age.
Pregnant employees may commence their leave up to 6 weeks before their expected due date. For partners or those adopting a child, their leave can begin on the day of the birth or adoption.
If a new parent requests an additional 52 weeks of unpaid leave, they must provide you with four weeks’ written notice for any leave that is longer than four weeks. As their employer, you must respond within 21 days and justify your decision.
You can apply for Paid Parental Leave online through your myGov account or by completing the relevant forms and submitting them to Centrelink. It’s recommended to start the application process early to ensure smooth and timely payment of your entitlements.