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Are you expecting a new baby this year? Some changes took place on 1st July 2020 with the Paid Parental Leave scheme. The changes are designed to give new parents more choice about how and when they can take up their Parental Leave Pay. Here’s what you need to know!
How it Worked Previously
Up until this financial year you could have taken Parental Leave Pay for a continuous block of up to 18 weeks. This is 90 payable days.
Changes Effective 1st July 2020
If your child’s date of birth or adoption is on or after 1 July 2020, you may still get up to 90 days. The new benefit for families is the ability to take the leave in a way that suits them better and allows more flexibility.
The new payment will now include both:
- a continuous Paid Parental Leave period of up to 12 weeks (this is 60 payable days)
- 30 Flexible Paid Parental Leave days.
If you choose to take this leave in a one-off continuous 18 week block, then that is also allowed. 
You just need to ask the government to connect your 12 week Paid Parental Leave period to your 30 Flexible Paid Parental Leave days to make it into one lump sum.
Another alternative is to choose a shorter block of between 12 and 18 weeks of leave. It is then possible to take your remaining Flexible Paid Parental Leave days at another time, so long is it is before your baby turns 2. This means you have greater flexibility on how to spend your time with your family.
How To Claim Your Paid Parental Leave (PPL)
The optimal time to make a claim is before your child’s birth or adoption.
From 14 September 2020 Services Australia will use your baby’s date of birth to work out if the changes will affect you. They can send you more information if both of the following apply:
- the changes affect you
- you claim Parental Leave Pay before 14 September 2020.
From 14 September, Services Australia will ask you:
- how you want to get your Flexible PPL days
- when you want to get your Flexible PPL days
Make sure you talk to your employer regarding your intended parental leave. If you are eligible, you can then make a claim through myGov/Centrelink. For more information please visit Australian Government Services Australia.
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