FROM 1 January 2013, amendments to the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth) will take effect, meaning eligible dads and partners (including adopting parents and same-sex couples) will be entitled to two weeks parental leave pay from the Federal Government at the rate of the national minimum wage.

Employers do not have an administrative role in the payment as it will be paid directly by the Australian Government.

Dad and Partner Pay can be taken any time in the first year after birth or adoption.

The purpose of the new Dad and Partner pay is to allow fathers to take more time off in the early months of their childs birth.

To be eligible, dads or partners must:

• have worked at least 330 hours (just over one day a week) in 10 of the 13 months before the start of their Dad and Partner Pay period, with no more than an eight-week gap between two consecutive working days;
• have earned $150,000 or less in the previous financial year; and
• be on unpaid leave or not working and be helping to care for the child during their two weeks of Dad and Partner Pay.

Dads can be eligible for Dad and Partner Pay even if their partner is not receiving Paid Parental Leave.

Employers are encouraged to review their parental leave policies to ensure the new requirements are reflected and ensure employer are aware that:

• Employers will not play a direct role in providing Dad and Partner Pay. The Government will pay the employee through Centrelink.
• It is the employees responsibility to apply for Dad and Partner Pay.

For further information on Dad and Partner Pay, employer responsibilities and eligibility, click here.