Australia, 2026-27 rates, verified 22 October 2026
How much paternity leave do you actually get?
A few questions. Your weeks, your dollars, and the three dates you cannot miss. No law firm hedging, every number linked to the government page it came from.
Your family's 130 paid days
Baby born on or after 1 July 2026. One column is one week.
- The partner's, 20
- Birth parent's, 20
- To share, 90
Checked 22 October 2026
What changed on 1 July 2026
- 26 weeks for the family. Up to 130 government paid days for children born or adopted from 1 July 2026, with 20 days normally reserved for the partner.
- $200.94 a day before tax. The rate for days taken in 2026-27, or $1,004.70 for five days. See pay examples.
- Super contributions started arriving. The ATO pays 12% on eligible Parental Leave Pay for children born or adopted from 1 July 2025, after the financial year.
Planning time away from work? Check the 12-month unpaid leave entitlement separately.
- $200.94 a day
- 130 paid days per family
- 20 reserved for you
- 12 months unpaid, each
- 10 weeks notice
- 130 flexible days
- 24 months to use it
- Every number from a .gov.au source
A few questions. One straight answer.
Split planner
130 days. Two parents. You decide the split.
Drag the handle. Your days light up, the birth parent's shrink, and the dollars move with you.
You, the partner
43
days, 8.6 weeks
$8,640
The birth parent
87
days, 17.4 weeks
$17,482
- 120 days each are locked to one parent. If you never claim yours, the family loses $4,019.
- 2Only 20 days can be paid to you both at the same time. The rest, you take turns.
- 3Before tax, at the 2026-27 rate of $200.94 a day. Every day has to be used within 2 years of the birth.
- Yours, 43
- Birth parent's, 87
Family total: $26,122 over 130 days. One column is one working week.
Myth busting
What your mates got wrong.
The six things we hear most. Tap one for what the rules actually say.
01“My state decides how much leave I get.”
Actually. Not if a private business employs you. Your leave is set by the Fair Work Act and your pay by Services Australia, identically in every state. The state only matters if the state government is your employer.
02“Paternity leave is two weeks.”
Actually. That was Dad and Partner Pay, and it ended in 2023. For a baby born on or after 1 July 2026 your family gets 130 paid days, 20 locked to you, plus 12 months unpaid of your own.
03“Mum takes the paid leave and I get whatever is left.”
Actually. 20 days are reserved for the partner and cannot be handed over. If you do not claim them, your family simply loses $4,019.
04“My leave comes out of my partner's twelve months.”
Actually. No. Each parent has their own 12 months unpaid parental leave. Taking yours does not shorten theirs.
05“I have to take it all straight after the birth.”
Actually. As the partner you can start any time in the first 24 months, and up to 130 of your unpaid days can be single days spread across that window.
06“Self-employed and casual dads miss out.”
Actually. Sole traders can claim Parental Leave Pay like anyone else. Regular casuals with 12 months on the books also get the full unpaid entitlement.
By state
Which state? Mostly, it doesn't matter.
Work for a private business and your leave is federal, the same in Perth as in Hobart. Your state only changes the answer if the state government signs your pay cheque.
Public sector figures verified
Work for the Australian Public Service? See APS leave.
“Paternity leave” is really three things.
12 mo
Unpaid leave, from your job
The Fair Work Act gives each parent up to 12 months after 12 months of service. Up to 130 days can be taken one at a time, any time in the first 24 months.
26 wks
Parental Leave Pay, from the government
Services Australia pays $200.94 a day for up to 130 days per family. 20 are reserved for each parent, and only 20 can overlap.
$?
Paid leave, if your employer offers it
No legal minimum in the private sector. Check your agreement or contract. State governments pay their own staff, which is the only place your state matters.
How long is paternity leave in Australia?
Each parent can take up to 12 months unpaid parental leave under the Fair Work Act, extendable to 24 months with the employer's agreement. On top of that the family shares 130 days of Parental Leave Pay for babies born on or after 1 July 2026, with 20 days reserved for the partner.
How much is paternity leave pay in Australia?
Parental Leave Pay is $200.94 a day before tax in 2026-27, or $1,004.70 for a 5 day week. The 20 days reserved for the partner are worth $4,019.
Does my employer have to pay me paternity leave?
No. In the private sector there is no legal minimum of employer-paid parental leave. Many employers offer it anyway through an enterprise agreement or policy, and it stacks on top of the government payment. State and territory governments pay their own staff under their agreements.
Can both parents take leave at the same time?
Yes for unpaid leave. For Parental Leave Pay, up to 20 days can be paid to both parents at the same time. After that you take turns.
When do I have to tell my employer?
Give written notice at least 10 weeks before your leave starts, then confirm the dates at least 4 weeks before. Lodge your Parental Leave Pay claim within 52 weeks of the birth if you are the first to claim.
Is paternity leave different in each state?
Only for state public sector employees. For everyone else parental leave and Parental Leave Pay are federal, and identical in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT.