Parental leave policy template
A free, ready-to-edit parental leave policy template for Australian workplaces. Set out the 12 months of unpaid parental leave under the National Employment Standards, how it works alongside the government Paid Parental Leave scheme, plus notice, keeping in touch days and return to work rights — no signup required.
Parental leave policy
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By downloading, you agree to our template disclaimer
This parental leave policy template reflects the National Employment Standards under the Fair Work Act 2009 at the time of publication and is provided as a general guide to adapt for your business — it is not legal advice. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
Why your workplace needs a parental leave policy
Under the National Employment Standards, eligible employees are entitled to up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave, with a right to request a further 12 months. A clear policy turns those entitlements into a process your team understands — before a pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy is even announced.
A documented parental leave policy sets expectations around eligibility, notice and evidence, explains how unpaid NES leave sits alongside the separate government Paid Parental Leave scheme, and protects an employee’s right to return to their pre-leave role. It supports your obligations under the Fair Work Act and removes the guesswork when a request lands. The policy pairs naturally with your personal leave policy and your wider leave policy.
It applies to permanent full-time and part-time employees, and to eligible long-term casuals, who become a parent through birth, adoption or surrogacy. Store the policy and capture acknowledgements in your HR software so you can show every employee has read and understood it.
What a parental leave policy should cover
The essentials for supporting new parents the right way
Unpaid NES leave
Up to 12 months unpaid parental leave, with a right to request a further 12 months.
Eligibility
12 months continuous service and responsibility for the care of the child.
Paid Parental Leave
How the separate government-funded scheme works alongside your unpaid leave.
Notice & evidence
When employees must give notice and what documentation is required.
Keeping in touch days
Up to 10 paid keeping in touch days to stay connected during leave.
Return to work
The guarantee of returning to the same or an equivalent position.
What's included in this template
A complete framework aligned with the National Employment Standards
Purpose & scope
The organisation's commitment and who and when the policy applies to.
Eligibility
Service requirements and the conditions for accessing parental leave.
Entitlement period
Up to 12 months unpaid leave and the right to request another 12.
Paid Parental Leave
How the government scheme interacts with unpaid leave and any employer top-up.
Notice & evidence
Notice timelines and the documentation employees must provide.
Keeping in touch days
How employees can use up to 10 paid days during their leave.
Extending leave
The process for requesting additional leave beyond the initial period.
Both parents
Concurrent and consecutive leave options for each eligible parent.
Return to work
Rights, obligations and arrangements when returning from leave.
Review & acknowledgement
Policy maintenance and employee sign-off.
Getting parental leave right under the NES
Unpaid leave, paid leave and the rules that protect both sides
Unpaid leave is a separate entitlement
The National Employment Standards give eligible employees up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave, plus a right to request a further 12 months (which an employer can only refuse on reasonable business grounds). Eligibility generally requires 12 months of continuous service before the expected birth or placement. See our guide on how to manage parental leave for the full process.
Paid Parental Leave is funded by the government
The Paid Parental Leave scheme is separate from your unpaid NES leave and is funded by the government at the national minimum wage, not by you. Eligible parents can claim through Services Australia/myGov and the leave can be shared between parents. Your policy should explain how the two interact, and whether you offer any paid parental leave top-up.
How a parental leave request flows
Notify
The employee gives written notice of their intention to take leave and the expected dates.
Provide evidence
Supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate, confirms the expected date.
Confirm leave
Dates are confirmed before leave starts, with any keeping in touch days agreed.
Return to work
The employee returns to their pre-leave role or an equivalent position.
Where a position no longer exists on return, the employee must be offered an available role they are qualified for at their previous level of pay and conditions. Track balances and approvals in your leave management software so nothing is missed.
Always check the relevant modern award or enterprise agreement, as some provide entitlements beyond the NES, and remember state and territory long service leave rules continue to accrue during some leave. For authoritative detail, the Fair Work Ombudsman and Services Australia set out current parental leave and Paid Parental Leave rules. Our employment law guide explains how these entitlements fit together.
Who should use this template?
Every Australian employer needs to handle parental leave consistently
Especially useful for managers handling a request for the first time, who need a clear, compliant process to follow.
Compliance resources
Official guidance on parental leave and Paid Parental Leave.
Manage leave and policies the easy way
RosterElf helps Australian businesses store policies, capture employee acknowledgements at onboarding, and track leave balances and requests — all in one place.
Related guides
Put your parental leave policy into practice
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View templateParental leave policy FAQ
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Under the National Employment Standards, eligible employees are entitled to up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave, with a right to request a further 12 months that an employer can only refuse on reasonable business grounds. To be eligible, an employee generally needs at least 12 months of continuous service before the expected birth or placement and must have, or expect to have, responsibility for the care of the child.
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They are two separate entitlements. The 12 months of unpaid parental leave comes from the NES and is provided by your business as job-protected leave. Paid Parental Leave is a separate government-funded payment made at the national minimum wage through Services Australia — eligible parents can receive up to around 26 weeks, shareable between parents, subject to income, residency and work tests. Your policy should explain how the two work together and whether you offer any employer-paid top-up.
Before you download
General information only — not legal advice
This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.