Over 100,000 applications for paid parental leave in Australia

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According to the Australian Government’s Fair Work Ombudsman, over 100,000 parents have applied for government-funded Paid Parental Leave since the scheme opened on 1 October last year.

The Paid Parental leave scheme is an entitlement for working parents of children born or adopted on or after 1 January 2011.

The scheme provides government-funded Parental Leave Pay at the National Minimum Wage for a maximum period of 18 weeks (currently about $590 a week before tax).

Parents can receive the payment at the same time as annual leave, long service leave, and employer-funded paid parental leave. They can also receive it before or after.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has a wide variety of information for employers and employees on paid and unpaid parental leave. This includes a Best Practice Guide for Employers as well as record-keeping templates.