Maternity leave in Australia (2026): Complete guide to paid + unpaid leave
Maternity leave in Australia (officially called Parental Leave Pay) gives you 24-26 weeks of government-paid leave at minimum wage, plus up to 12 months unpaid job-protected time off. Here's everything you need to know about eligibility, payment rates, and how to claim through Centrelink in 2026.
Written by
Georgia Morgan
General information only – not legal advice
This guide provides general information about taking maternity leave in Australia. For your specific situation, check with Services Australia, Fair Work Ombudsman, or your employer. 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.
The quick answer: how long and how much
How long?
24 weeks
(120 days)
Paid Parental Leave for births 1 July 2025–30 June 2026
Rising to 26 weeks (130 days) from 1 July 2026
How much?
$948.10
per week (before tax)
At National Minimum Wage rate for 2025-26
$189.62 per day (before tax)
Unpaid leave?
12 months
guaranteed
Unpaid parental leave under National Employment Standards
Can request up to 24 months total
Most people searching for "maternity leave" are trying to answer 3 urgent questions:
How long do I get? How much will I get? How do I claim it and organise time off work? This guide answers all three.
What is maternity leave called in Australia?
If you're searching for "maternity leave" in Australia, you'll see references to several different terms. Here's what they mean:
The official name: Parental Leave Pay
The Australian Government payment is officially called Parental Leave Pay (PPL). This is the gender-neutral, modern term that replaced "Maternity Leave" and "Dad and Partner Pay" to be inclusive of all parents.
- Parental Leave Pay = Government payment through Services Australia/Centrelink
- Maternity leave = Traditional term still widely used, refers to leave for birth mothers
- Unpaid parental leave = Job-protected time off under National Employment Standards
In practice: Most Australians still search for and talk about "maternity leave," but when you apply through Centrelink or read Fair Work guidance, you'll see "Parental Leave Pay" and "parental leave." They're the same thing - this guide covers both the traditional "maternity leave" concept and the official "Parental Leave Pay" scheme.
Learn more: Maternity leave definition | Parental leave definition
What's new for 2026?
- 26 weeks from July 2026: Paid Parental Leave increases from 24 weeks to 26 weeks for births/adoptions after 1 July 2026
- 12% superannuation: Government now pays super on Parental Leave Pay (started July 2025, paid by ATO after financial year ends)
- Current rate: $948.10 per week before tax (National Minimum Wage for 2025-26)
Step 2: Check centrelink maternity leave eligibility (fast checklist)
To receive Parental Leave Pay, you must meet all of these tests:
Work test
Worked 10 of the last 13 months before birth/adoption
At least 330 hours in that 10-month period (roughly one day per week)
Income test
Individual income under $180,007 in 2024-25
Or combined family income under $360,014 (with some additional rules)
Residency
Australian resident, or holder of eligible visa
Must meet residency requirements at time of claim and payment
Not working
Cannot work on PPL days (except keeping in touch days)
Some exceptions for allowable reasons
Birth registration
Child's birth must be registered or application lodged
For newborns; adoption has different requirements
Use the official eligibility tool
Services Australia provides a free online tool to check if you're eligible. This is more accurate than self-assessing because it handles complex situations like irregular work patterns.
Check eligibility on Services AustraliaStep 3: Know the 3 parts of "maternity leave" in Australia
In Australia, what people call "maternity leave" actually comes from three different sources. Understanding this helps you plan your time off and finances:
Workplace parental leave
Leave entitlements from your job, award, or enterprise agreement
- Unpaid parental leave (National Employment Standards)
- Employer-paid parental leave (if your employer offers it)
- Annual leave or long service leave you can access
- Must be negotiated with your employer
Unpaid parental leave rights
Fair Work / National Employment Standards protection
- Up to 12 months unpaid leave guaranteed
- Can request extension to 24 months total
- Your job is protected while on leave
- Available to permanent and eligible casual employees
Centrelink Parental Leave Pay
Government-funded payment at minimum wage
- Up to 24 weeks for 2025-26 births (26 weeks from July 2026)
- Paid at National Minimum Wage ($948.10/week before tax)
- Includes superannuation contribution
- Claim through Services Australia
Key point: Centrelink Parental Leave Pay is separate from your workplace entitlements. You can often receive both at the same time ("stacking"), which we'll explain later.
Step 4: Work out "how long" you can take (paid vs unpaid)
The length of your maternity leave depends on which type you're taking:
| Type of leave | Current (2025-26) | From July 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Paid Parental Leave | 24 weeks (120 days) | 26 weeks (130 days) | For births/adoptions 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026 |
| Unpaid parental leave (NES) | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Can request extension to 24 months total |
| Employer-paid leave | Varies | Varies | Check your employment contract or enterprise agreement |
Government PPL expansion
The Australian Government is expanding Paid Parental Leave incrementally. By 1 July 2026, eligible families will receive 26 weeks of paid leave at minimum wage, up from 20 weeks in 2023-24.
Planning your leave
Most parents combine government PPL (24-26 weeks paid) with some unpaid leave (protected by Fair Work) to create a longer period at home. You might also use annual leave or employer-paid leave to extend your paid time off.
Step 5: Work out "how much" you'll get from centrelink
Parental Leave Pay is paid at the National Minimum Wage, which changes each 1 July.
2025-26 payment rates
Per day (before tax)
$189.62
Per 5-day week (before tax)
$948.10
Important: This is taxable income
Parental Leave Pay is assessable income for tax purposes. You'll need to include it in your tax return. The rate shown is before tax, so your actual take-home amount will be less.
Superannuation on PPL (from July 2025)
For children born or adopted from 1 July 2025, the government will pay 12% superannuation on top of your Parental Leave Pay. The ATO pays this contribution after the end of the financial year directly into your super fund.
Example calculation
Scenario: Taking the full 24 weeks (120 days) in 2025-26
- 120 days × $189.62 = $22,754.40 before tax
- Plus 12% super = $2,730.53 (paid by ATO after June 2026)
- Total benefit: $25,484.93
Step 6: Claiming timeline (the how-to people need)
Here's when to take action to claim your Parental Leave Pay:
Up to 3 months before due date
Submit your Parental Leave Pay claim
You can claim early, but you must claim within 52 weeks of birth
After birth or adoption
Confirm birth details and choose start date
Update your claim with actual birth date and when you want payments to start
Within 52 weeks of birth
Deadline for first claimant
If you miss this deadline, you may lose your entitlement
Before payments start
Decide on payment method
Employer pays you (most common) or Services Australia pays directly
How to claim: step-by-step
- 1 Go to myGov and link your Centrelink account (if not already linked)
- 2 Select "Make a claim" > "Families" > "Parental Leave Pay" and follow the prompts
- 3 Provide identity documents, income details (tax return or payslips), employment information, and partner details
- 4 After birth, update your claim with your child's birth details and choose your start date
- 5 Services Australia will assess and approve (usually within 2-4 weeks)
Critical deadline: 52 weeks
The first claimant must claim within 52 weeks of the child's birth or adoption. Missing this deadline means you lose the entitlement completely. Set a reminder now if you haven't claimed yet.
Step 8: How this works with your employer's paid leave (and why you can "stack" it)
One of the most common questions: Can I get Centrelink PPL and my employer's paid leave at the same time?
Yes, you can "stack" payments
You can receive government Parental Leave Pay at the same time as:
- Employer-paid parental leave (if your employer offers it)
- Annual leave
- Long service leave
This means you can maximize your paid time off by combining government and employer payments. For example, if your employer offers 12 weeks paid parental leave, you could receive that plus 24 weeks of government PPL.
How payment delivery works
There are two ways to receive your government PPL:
Option 1: Employer delivery (most common)
- Your employer pays you PPL through their normal payroll system
- The government reimburses your employer
- Easier for you - payments arrive on your normal pay day
Option 2: Direct from Services Australia
- Services Australia pays you directly
- Used when employer doesn't participate or you're self-employed
- Payments made fortnightly
For employers: managing parental leave
If you're an employer needing to manage an employee's parental leave request, see our employer guide to managing parental leave. It covers your obligations, planning coverage, and return-to-work processes. You can also use leave management software to track parental leave applications.
Step 9: State pages (NSW / QLD / VIC): what's actually different?
Many people search for "maternity leave NSW" or "maternity leave QLD." Here's the truth: the core rules are national.
What's the same across all states?
- Centrelink Parental Leave Pay: Same eligibility and amount nationwide
- Fair Work unpaid parental leave: National Employment Standards apply everywhere
- Modern Award entitlements: Federal awards don't change by state (unless the award specifically has state variations)
What can be different?
Differences usually come from state public sector policies or enterprise agreements. Here's what to know:
NSW
Core rules: Same national rules apply
State difference: NSW Government sector employees have separate paid parental leave policies
Learn moreQLD
Core rules: Same national rules apply
State difference: QLD Government employees have specific leave entitlements in enterprise agreements
Learn moreVIC
Core rules: Same national rules apply
State difference: VIC public service policies may add provisions beyond the national minimum
Learn moreAll other states/territories
Core rules: Same national rules apply
State difference: Check with your specific employer or public sector department
Check your specific employer
If you work for a state government department, local council, or large organization, check if they have an enterprise agreement that offers better parental leave entitlements than the national minimum. Your HR department can provide these details.
Common mistakes to avoid
Based on frequent questions and Services Australia data, here are the mistakes that cause people to lose entitlements or face delays:
Missing the 52-week claim deadline
Consequence: You lose your Parental Leave Pay entitlement completely
Set a reminder to claim within the first year after birth. Claim early (up to 3 months before due date) to avoid missing out.
Not understanding the work test
Consequence: Claim rejected because you haven't worked enough hours
Check you've worked at least 330 hours across 10 of the last 13 months. Use the Services Australia calculator to verify.
Assuming Centrelink pays your employer leave
Consequence: Confusion about where payments come from and when
Centrelink Parental Leave Pay is separate from your workplace entitlements. They can run concurrently but are funded differently.
Not telling your employer about flexible work needs
Consequence: Returning to work without support systems in place
You have the right to request flexible work arrangements. Start the conversation 4 weeks before return. Read our guide on returning to work after maternity leave.
Forgetting about superannuation
Consequence: Missing out on super contributions during leave
From July 2025, super is paid on Parental Leave Pay (paid by ATO after end of financial year). Check your employer policy for paid leave.
Frequently asked questions
- In Australia, the official name is "Parental Leave Pay" (PPL) - the government payment through Services Australia. "Maternity leave" is the traditional term for leave taken by birth mothers, while "parental leave" is the modern, gender-neutral term covering all parents. When you apply through Centrelink, you'll claim "Parental Leave Pay."
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Regulatory sources & official guidance
This guide references the latest information from Services Australia, Fair Work Ombudsman, and the Australian Tax Office as of January 2026.
Related guides
More resources for managing leave and workplace rights.
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