Huge change to paid leave for new parents

New dad and mom will be capable to entry extra versatile paid parental go away after main adjustments handed parliament this week.

The authorities’s laws, which mixes two current funds right into a shared 20-week-scheme; expends entry; and makes it simpler for brand new fathers to acquire paid go away is the newest tranche of reforms to paid parental go away.

It will come into impact for folks whose infants had been born or adopted from July 2023.

From then, both father or mother can apply for paid parental go away first, whereas they will even be capable to entry the entitlement in a number of blocks – which means they may be capable to take as little as someday, whereas working both facet.

Single dad and mom will be capable to entry the total 20-week entitlement.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth mentioned the primary spherical of main reforms, which handed on Monday, can be a lift to supporting gender equality.

By 2026, Labor desires paid parental go away to be accessible for 26 weeks complete, nonetheless that’s nonetheless effectively under the OECD common of 60 weeks.

“Improving paid parental leave is a critical, notion-building reform. Paid parental leave is vital for the health and wellbeing of parents and their children,” she mentioned.

“We know that investing in paid parental leave benefits our economy. And we know that done right, paid parental leave – both government and employer schemes – can advance gender equality.”

The Greens nonetheless, need the adjustments to return into impact sooner, and wish superannuation to be paid on the go away.

The minor get together additionally need the federal government to stipulate a pathway to 52 weeks.

HESTA chief govt Debby Blakey has additionally known as for the federal government to stipulate its plan to pay superannuation on paid parental go away.

“Not paying super on parental leave pay sends a message that unpaid caring work is undervalued, when in reality this work is indispensable to our economy and the wellbeing of families,” she mentioned.

“Nearly 80 per cent of our members are women who work mainly in caring roles that are typically lower paid, such as aged care and early childhood education. They shouldn’t be financially penalised at retirement after spending their lives looking after others.”