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LEAVE - Family leave
29 May 2009
Juggling work and family responsibilities is one of the greatest challenges facing workers today.
There are a few types of leave employees are entitled to in order to help workers look after their family and do their jobs properly.
Parental leaveFull-time, part-time and casual employees are eligible for parental leave, however to get parental leave, an employee must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months.
Maternity leaveMothers are entitled to:
- A minimum of six weeks leave immediately after the birth of their child
- Up to 52 weeks unpaid leave if they are the primary caregiver
- Under a new scheme to be introduced in January 2011, primary carers will receive 18 weeks paid leave at the rate of minimum wage.
Paternity LeaveFathers are entitled to:
- Up to 52 weeks unpaid leave if they are the primary caregiver
- Up to one week unpaid leave if they are not the primary care giver.
Adoptive leaveAdoptive parents are entitled to:
- Long adoption leave of up to 52 weeks of unpaid leave
- Short adoption leave of up to three weeks continuous unpaid leave
(Source: Australia Government Workplace Authority)
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