Paid Parental Leave Boost For Dads And Single Parents

Single parents and dads are set to receive a Paid Parental Leave boost, with a multimillion dollar overhaul announced in the Federal Budget.

As part of the $346 million plan, an extra 2200 families will get access to PPL for the first time. Single parents will get an extra two weeks of paid parental leave funded by the government. While the two week Dad and Partner Pay scheme is being combined with the 18 weeks of PPL, to create a 20-week scheme which will be paid at the minimum wage.

What do the new Paid Parental Leave changes mean?

At the moment, new mums are able to access 18 weeks of PPL, along with their work entitlements. But currently the Dad and Partner Pay only covers two weeks for the other parent or primary carer. Under the new changes, these two schemes will be merged into one.

So a working two-parent household will have access to 20 weeks of PPL, and the parents are able to split it up as they need, in the two years following their child’s birth or adoption.

Dads and partners can access the government benefit as well as their employee-funded leave. And single parents will also be given access to the same 20-week scheme.

As well as giving more families access to the scheme, the eligibility is being widened. Currently, women who earn up to $151,350 can access PPL – but if a woman earns more, even if their partner has no income, she is unable to get the payments.

The government is changing the threshold so that any household with an income of up to $350,000 a year between both partners is able to access the scheme.

The government has flagged the scheme will start no later than March 1, 2023.

34 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 16 Aug 2024
    10:31 am
Amazing how much things have changed over the past 40 years

- - Zmijka86 said
  - 15 May 2022
    12:35 pm
Its a good new for those who are entitled for it.

- - mom461384 said
  - 04 Apr 2022
    10:23 pm
Hopefully it helps

- - mom336285 said
  - 03 Apr 2022
    2:39 pm
???????? About time! Now if only more workplaces would do it. My partner in his industry was lucky to get a week off and it wasn’t parental leave when each of our kids were born.

- - Julzie13 said
  - 03 Apr 2022
    9:16 am
I disagree, if a couple earns 300k, then they have more than enough income to support themselves during this time.

- - TraceyGail said
  - 03 Apr 2022
    8:06 am
This will be such a wonderful help to so many.

- - BellaB said
  - 01 Apr 2022
    6:43 pm
Hopefully this will help a lot of people.

- - bellabecca said
  - 01 Apr 2022
    10:59 am
Too late for our family

- - Jessica said
  - 31 Mar 2022
    8:18 pm
Oh that’s such agood change to the system!

- - mom466291 said
  - 31 Mar 2022
    6:37 pm
Great idea

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 31 Mar 2022
    1:32 pm
Brilliant idea!

- - tessie said
  - 31 Mar 2022
    12:09 pm
It’s a great idea especially if it’s a difficult pregnancy for Mum as she may need extra assistance looking after their new-born.

- - Lovesthecuddles said
  - 31 Mar 2022
    11:07 am
My husbands work only pays one wk and you have to work there a yr to be eligible.

- - rovermum said
  - 31 Mar 2022
    9:47 am
My hubby was very lucky 20 years ago to work in a company that gave him paid parental leave. It was invaluable to us.

- - sharna_booth_weinrowski said
  - 31 Mar 2022
    8:24 am
It actually doesnt change at all, they have just changed the package….
There are too many warning bells to this is not differnet. Men were already entitled to leave.

- - mom460227 said
  - 31 Mar 2022
    7:36 am
This would come in hand for so many singles and dads!

- - Ellen said
  - 31 Mar 2022
    5:21 am
I’m glad single parents are considered more.

- - Mumof3boyos said
  - 30 Mar 2022
    11:56 pm
Particularly great for the single parents! Extra weeks are great

- - ~Loui~ said
  - 30 Mar 2022
    10:44 pm
‘……The government is changing the threshold so that any household with an income of up to $350,000 a year….’ That is ridiculously high. Anyone on that sort of income doesn’t need this financial support.

- - Frankiielot said
  - 30 Mar 2022
    10:41 pm
This would definitely be a good thing to help out.
My gf is a single mum with her boy turning 3 this year, it would have been better if she was still able to claim it.