One week to go: Bundle of joy for new parents as paid parental leave expands to 6 months
In one week, the Albanese Labor Government will deliver a major expansion of Paid Parental Leave, helping new parents spend more time at home with their newest family member.
From 1 July eligible families will be able to access up to 26 weeks of Paid Parental Leave, backed by the Government.
Thanks to Labor’s changes, families accessing the full entitlement will receive almost $30,000 across their Paid Parental Leave.
This is more than double the entitlement available to families before Labor came to government.
The changes that come into effect on 1 July mean:
- More time – parents welcoming a new baby or adopting a child will be able to access up to 26 weeks of Paid Parental Leave, giving families more precious time at home with their newest member.
- More money – parents receiving Paid Parental Leave will receive a higher rate of payment from 1 July, increasing to $1,004.70 per week. Parents have also received superannuation on their Paid Parental Leave since 1 July last year.
- More people eligible – annual income limits for Paid Parental Leave will rise, with the individual income limit increasing to $186,487 and the family income limit increasing to $386,525.
Since the expansion of the Paid Parental Leave scheme began, parents of more than 460,000 children have already benefited.
From 1 July, 2.6 million Australians will also benefit when a range of social security payments, thresholds and limits increase.
At a time when global uncertainty has placed pressure on households, these changes will deliver more money in the bank and help many cover the cost of essentials.
Over 1.2 million families with children will receive a boost to their Family Tax Benefit payment to help them with the cost of raising their children.
The maximum rate for Family Tax Benefit Part A will increase to $235.48 per fortnight for each child aged under 13, and to $306.46 per fortnight for each child aged 13 and over.
For Family Tax Benefit Part B, the maximum rate will rise to $200.34 per fortnight for families with a youngest child under five, and to $139.86 per fortnight for families whose youngest child is aged five or older.
Income and assets thresholds will increase for a range of recipients, including pensioners and Parenting Payment Single recipients. This means recipients will be able to have higher levels of income and assets before their payments are affected.
More information on new payment rates and thresholds is available on the Department of Social Services website.
the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese:
“The first months with a new baby are precious. My Government is making it easier for parents to spend that time together.
“That’s why we’re expanding Paid Parental Leave again from 1 July, giving parents more time at home with their newborn and more support when they need it most.
“It was Labor that created Paid Parental Leave, and it’s Labor that’s continuing to strengthen it for Australian families.
“This is good for business, good for families and good for our economy.”
the Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher:
“The Albanese Government has consistently put Australian women at the heart of our priorities, and from July 1 they will be even better off.
“By expanding Paid Parental Leave we are making the scheme stronger, fairer and better suited to the way modern families share care.
“These changes give parents more time, more flexibility and more financial security, while helping make caring responsibilities more equal between women and men.”
the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek:
“Labor’s changes to Paid Parental Leave mean working parents get more time off and more money when they welcome a new arrival into their family.
“It was a Labor Government that introduced Paid Parental Leave in this country, and now it’s the Albanese Labor Government expanding it to six months of leave.
“Labor will keep delivering real change that helps Australian families.”