paid parental leave 2026: how much you'll get and how to apply

what is paid parental leave?

paid parental leave (PPL) is an australian government payment for working parents who take time off to care for a newborn or recently adopted child. it's separate from any parental leave your employer might offer — you can receive both.

the scheme is administered by services australia and paid through your employer (or directly to you if you're self-employed or your employer opts out). it's funded entirely by the government, not your employer.

2026 entitlements at a glance

the PPL scheme has been progressively expanded over recent years. from 1 july 2025, the full 26-week entitlement is available to eligible families. this means if your child is born or placed in your care in 2026, you can access the full 26 weeks.

the 26 weeks is the total entitlement for your family — not per parent. however, the way you split it is flexible.

how much will you get paid?

PPL is paid at the national minimum wage, regardless of your actual salary. as of 2026, this is approximately $915.80 per week before tax (around $183.16 per day based on a 5-day week).

at the full 26-week entitlement, that works out to roughly $23,810 before tax for the entire period. keep in mind:

• PPL counts as taxable income
• your employer will withhold PAYG tax before paying you
• it counts toward your super guarantee if paid by your employer
• you may also receive employer-funded parental leave on top of PPL

want to estimate your specific entitlement? try our paid parental leave calculator.

eligibility: who qualifies?

to receive PPL in 2026, you need to meet three main tests:

1. work test

you must have worked at least 10 of the 13 months before the birth or adoption, and done at least 330 hours of work in that 10-month period (roughly one day a week). this includes paid leave and any combination of jobs.

2. income test

your individual adjusted taxable income must be less than $168,865in the financial year before your date of claim or the financial year before the birth/adoption. there's no family income test — only your individual income matters.

3. residency test

you must be an australian resident and in australia on the day the child is born or enters your care. certain visa holders may also qualify — check with services australia for specifics.

sharing leave between parents

one of the biggest changes in the expanded PPL scheme is the emphasis on shared parenting. the 26 weeks can be split between both parents in any way that works for your family, with one important rule:

• there are reserved "use it or lose it" days for each parent to encourage both to take time off
• parents can take PPL at the same time for up to 2 weeks, which is great for the initial newborn period
• you don't have to take all your days in one block — PPL days can be spread across the first 2 years of your child's life
• each parent must individually meet the eligibility tests to claim their portion

this flexibility means you could, for example, have one parent take the first 20 weeks and the other take 6 weeks later in the year. or split it more evenly. it's up to you.

keeping in touch days

while receiving PPL, you can work up to 10 keeping in touch (KIT) days without losing your entitlement. these are designed to help you stay connected with your workplace during your leave.

KIT days can be used for things like:

• attending a team meeting or planning day
• completing essential training or professional development
• a gradual return-to-work arrangement

both you and your employer must agree to any KIT days — they're completely voluntary. your employer can pay you for these days on top of your PPL payment.

how to apply for paid parental leave

you can submit your PPL claim before or after your baby is born (or the child enters your care). here's how:

step 1: create a mygov account

if you haven't already, set up a mygov accountand link it to centrelink. this is where you'll submit your claim.

step 2: submit an early claim (optional)

you can lodge a claim up to 3 months before your expected due date. this means your claim can be assessed before the baby arrives, so payments start sooner.

step 3: provide proof of birth

after the birth, you'll need to confirm the actual date and provide proof of birth (usually through the newborn declaration form given by the hospital).

step 4: nominate your employer

PPL is usually paid through your employer, so you'll need to provide their details. if you're self-employed or your employer opts out of the scheme, services australia will pay you directly.

step 5: choose your schedule

decide how you want to take your PPL days — in a continuous block, spread across specific days, or a combination. you can change this later if your plans change.

frequently asked questions

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