Paid Parental Leave Expands to 26 Weeks from July 2026: Full Eligibility Guide
Government Paid Parental Leave increases to 26 weeks (130 days) from July 1, 2026. Find out who's eligible, how much you'll receive, how to share it with your partner, and the new 'use it or lose it' dad days.
What's changing from July 1, 2026?
From July 1, 2026, government-funded Paid Parental Leave (PPL) increases from 22 weeks to **26 weeks (130 paid days)** at the national minimum wage. This is the final step in the gradual expansion that began in July 2023. The expansion timeline: - Before July 2023: 20 weeks (18 weeks PPL + 2 weeks Dad and Partner Pay) - July 2023: 20 weeks combined into one flexible scheme - July 2024: 22 weeks - July 2025: 24 weeks - **July 2026: 26 weeks (half a year of paid leave)** At the current national minimum wage of $915.90 per week (before tax), 26 weeks = approximately **$23,813 before tax**. This applies to children born or adopted on or after July 1, 2026. If your child is born on June 30, you get the old entitlement. July 1 birth = new entitlement.
Who is eligible?
To receive PPL, you must meet these requirements: **Work test:** You need to have worked at least 330 hours (about 1 day per week) in the 13 months before birth/adoption, with no gap longer than 12 weeks between working days. This applies to paid employment, self-employment, or a combination. **Income test (individual):** Your adjusted taxable income must be $168,865 or less in the previous financial year. This is YOUR income, not combined household income. **Income test (family — new):** If you don't meet the individual income test, you can still qualify if your combined family income is $350,000 or less. **Residency:** Australian citizen or permanent resident, and living in Australia. **Note:** You can receive PPL while also taking employer-paid parental leave. The two are separate entitlements — many families receive both.
How to share leave between parents
The 26 weeks can be shared between both parents (including same-sex couples and adoptive parents). Here's how sharing works: **'Use it or lose it' reserved days:** - From July 2026, each parent has **4 weeks (20 days) reserved** that only they can use - The remaining 18 weeks (90 days) can be split however the family chooses - If one parent doesn't use their reserved days, those days are lost — they can't be transferred **Flexibility:** - Days can be taken as a continuous block or as individual days - PPL days can be taken at the same time as your partner (concurrent leave) - Days can be taken anytime within 24 months of the birth/adoption - You can take PPL days while working part-time on other days (called 'Keeping in Touch' days) **Example:** Mum takes 18 weeks continuous leave, then Dad takes his 4 reserved weeks, then they split the remaining 4 weeks with Dad taking 2 weeks and Mum taking 2 weeks spread as single days. Total: 26 weeks used. This design encourages BOTH parents to take leave — research shows children benefit when both parents are involved in early caregiving.
How much will you receive?
PPL is paid at the **national minimum wage** — currently $915.90 per week (before tax). This works out to: - **Per day:** $183.18 - **Per week:** $915.90 - **Per fortnight:** $1,831.80 - **Total 26 weeks:** $23,813.40 (before tax) Tax is withheld at your normal tax rate. Most PPL recipients have tax withheld at around 15-20%, depending on whether they have other income during the period. **After tax (approximate):** - If PPL is your only income: ~$22,300 (very low tax) - If you have other income taxed at 30%: ~$16,669 PPL is counted as taxable income in your tax return for the financial year it's received. **Superannuation from July 2025:** The government now pays superannuation on PPL at the SG rate (12%). This means you receive an additional ~$2,858 in super contributions over the 26 weeks — addressing a longstanding gap that disadvantaged women's retirement savings.
How to apply and key deadlines
**When to apply:** - You can submit an early claim up to 3 months before your expected due date - You must finalise your claim within 56 days of birth/adoption - PPL days can be claimed for up to 2 years after birth, but must be claimed within that window **How to apply:** 1. Log in to myGov and go to your Centrelink account 2. Select 'Make a claim' → 'Families' 3. Complete the Paid Parental Leave claim 4. Provide proof of birth (Medicare notification or hospital discharge) 5. Your employer will need to confirm your work history **Payment delivery:** - PPL is paid by Services Australia directly to you (not through your employer) - Payments align with regular Centrelink payment cycles (fortnightly) - You choose your PPL days — they can start from the date of birth **Can your employer top up PPL?** Yes, and many do. Some employers pay the gap between the minimum wage and your normal salary during parental leave. Government PPL + employer top-up can provide close to full salary replacement for the leave period.
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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
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