Who this covers
APS employees of Commonwealth departments and agencies under the 2024 to 2027 agency enterprise agreements, which all carry the same parental leave clause. Not casuals, and not bodies outside the APS such as the ADF, CSIRO or the ABC.
Partner leave
14 weeks
Primary carer leave
18 weeks
Partner leave rises to 18 weeks from 28 February 2027. If your 24 month leave window runs past that date, you are topped up to 18.
Qualifying period. None for the agreement leave. Casuals are excluded.
Check your agreement. For a pregnant employee the 18 weeks includes the 12 weeks of paid maternity leave under the Maternity Leave Act, not 18 on top. Partners are on 14 weeks until 27 February 2027, and you cannot switch between primary and secondary carer to get more.
- Take it flexibly, in blocks or part days, any time in the 24 months after the birth.
- Paid leave can be spread over up to 36 weeks at half pay.
- It can be taken at the same time as the other parent.
Federal leave and pay
Eligible employees can also take up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave. For a baby born on or after 2026-07-01, the family shares 130 days of Parental Leave Pay, with 20 days reserved for the partner. The 2026-27 rate is $200.94 per day before tax.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice.