In Australia, Dad and Partner Pay is available to eligible working fathers or partners who are taking time off work to care for a newborn or newly adopted child. You must meet specific criteria to be eligible for Dad and Partner Pay. Here are the general requirements:
Eligibility Criteria:
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- You must be the biological father of the child, the partner of the child’s biological mother, or the adoptive parent of the child.
- You must be a partner of an adoptive parent
- You must be a person caring for a child born of a surrogacy arrangement.
- You must have worked in paid employment or self-employment for at least 10 of the 13 months before the birth or adoption of the child.
- You must have worked for at least 330 hours (around one day a week) during that 10-month period with no more than an eight-week gap between two consecutive working days.
- You must be on unpaid leave or not working during the period you intend to claim Dad and Partner Pay.
- You must meet residency requirements, which generally include being an Australian resident and residing in Australia when you claim the payment.
Timing:
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- Dad and Partner Pay can be claimed within 52 weeks (approximately one year) from the birth or adoption of the child.
- The claim can be submitted up to three months before the expected start date of the leave.
In cases of a stillbirth or infant death, you may be able to get one or both of these payments:
- Dad and Partner Pay
- Stillborn Baby Payment.
If your partner is eligible for Parental Leave Pay, they may transfer some or all of their payable days to you. This is if you also claim and are eligible for Parental Leave Pay. As an individual, the total you get from both payments can’t be more than 18 weeks.
Your employer may pay you a top-up payment to supplement your Dad and Partner Pay. For example, they may pay the difference between your Dad and Partner Pay and your normal wage. This won’t affect your eligibility. Top-up payment is not considered paid leave for the purposes of Dad and Partner Pay.
It’s important to note that specific eligibility criteria and requirements may apply, and there may be changes or updates to the program. To determine your eligibility and obtain the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to visit the official website of the Australian Department of Human Services or contact their helpline. They can provide you with detailed guidelines and assist you in understanding the specific requirements for receiving Dad and Partner Pay based on your individual circumstances.