Queensland
Paternity leave in QLD
If you searched this, you probably assumed the rules are set by the state. For most people in Queensland they are not. Here is what actually decides your leave, and the one case where QLD does matter.
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Private sector in Queensland: the state changes nothing
Parental leave for private sector employees is federal. The Fair Work Act sets the unpaid leave and Services Australia pays the money. A dad in Queensland gets exactly what a dad in any other state gets.
- Unpaid leave. Up to 12 months, extendable to 24 with your employer's agreement, after 12 months continuous service. Up to 130 days of it can be taken one day at a time.
- Parental Leave Pay. $200.94 a day before tax in 2026-27. 130 days for the family for babies born on or after 1 July 2026, 20 reserved for the partner.
- Notice. Tell your employer in writing at least 10 weeks before the due date.
- Reserved for the partner, 20 days
- Reserved for the birth parent, 20 days
- To share, 90 days
Where QLD does matter: if the QLD government employs you
Queensland public service employees, plus Queensland Health, Hospital and Health Services, Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Fire and Emergency Service and a short list of other entities. Not short term casuals.
Partner, paid
1 weeks
Primary carer, paid
14 weeks
Instrument. Paid Parental Leave Directive 08/24, effective 30 September 2024.
Qualifying period. At least 12 months continuous service in one or more Queensland public sector entities. Long-term casuals are included.
The catch. The 14 weeks goes to the parent taking long unpaid parental leave at the birth, whichever parent that is. The other parent gets 1 week short paid parental leave. You cannot have both.
- Both can be taken at half pay over double the time: 14 weeks becomes 28, 1 week becomes 2.
- Part-time and long-term casual employees get it pro rata.
This is paid by your employer and sits on top of Parental Leave Pay. You can usually take both, the paid weeks from the department and the government days, back to back or overlapping, within the rules of each.
What people in QLD get wrong
- Searching for state rules when their employer is a private business. The state changes nothing.
- Assuming the birth parent can take all 130 paid days. 20 are reserved for the partner and are lost if unused.
- Missing the 10 week written notice, then finding the employer can push back on the dates.
Verified 11 September 2026. Rates and day counts change every 1 July.