What is the Paid Parental Leave Scheme?

Jun 2011

The Paid Parental Leave (PPL) Scheme is an Australian Government funded scheme that commenced 1 January 2011 for new parents who are the primary carers of a child born or adopted on or after 1 January 2011.

Under the scheme, employees eligible for the payment can receive up to 18 weeks leave, paid at the National Minimum Wage.

Parental Leave Pay is available in additional to any existing employer-provided paid or unpaid leave, and can be taken in conjunction with, or in addition to, employer-provided paid leave.

For the first 6 months of the scheme, employers may voluntarily choose to process Parental Leave Pay for eligible employees.

From 1 July 2011, it will be mandatory for businesses to provide Parental Leave Pay to eligible employees who have worked in the business for 12 months or more, and who will receive 8 weeks or more of Parental Leave Pay.