| Birth parent | Dad or partner |
|---|---|
Government paid days 130 days (26 weeks) for the family, with 20 days reserved for each eligible parent when partnered. Services Australia source | Government paid days 20 reserved days, plus any agreed share of the remaining family days. Eligibility and exemptions apply. |
Who can claim The birth parent can claim if they meet the work, income and residence tests and care for the child. Services Australia source | Who can claim An eligible dad or partner can make their own claim. Sharing approval and the birth parent's eligibility can also matter. |
Employer paid leave Depends on your award, enterprise agreement, contract or workplace policy. Fair Work Ombudsman source | Employer paid leave Depends on the same documents. Some employers distinguish between primary and secondary caregivers. |
Unpaid leave Eligible employees have up to 12 months. They can request up to 12 more months, with extension rules and employer agreement. Fair Work Ombudsman source | Unpaid leave The same individual entitlement. Your leave does not use up your partner's 12 months. |
Super on government pay For children born or adopted from 1 July 2025: a 12% contribution, paid automatically by the ATO in the following financial year. Services Australia source | Super on government pay The same contribution on your own share of Parental Leave Pay. It goes to super, not into your take-home payment. |
Keeping in touch days By agreement: up to 10 paid work days during the first 12 months of continuous unpaid leave, and up to 10 more during an extension. Fair Work Ombudsman source | Keeping in touch days The same. These are work days, so check the separate Parental Leave Pay work rules before claiming a government payment for them. |
Leave from your job and money from the government
Unpaid parental leave is time away from your job. Parental Leave Pay is a government payment with its own eligibility tests. Qualifying for one does not automatically qualify you for the other.
The current government rate is $200.94 a day before tax in 2026-27, whichever parent claims the day. See the current pay rates and a 20-day example.
Where parents' arrangements can differ
The birth parent can start continuous unpaid leave before the birth. A partner can plan their leave later in the child's first 24 months. Notice, service and care requirements still apply. Use Fair Work's guidance for your circumstances.
Employer benefits can differ by caregiver role and agreement. Check your own policy, or see the employer benchmark and the NSW, VIC and QLD guides.
Start with paternity leave in Australia to check your family's days, dollars and dates.
This is general information based on published government rules, not legal advice. Your enterprise agreement or contract may give you more.