Dad and Partner Pay

Dad and Partner Pay

Australian businesses now have even more opportunity to benefit from being supportive and inclusive workplaces with the introduction of Dad and Partner Pay.

The new entitlement under the Australian Government's Paid Parental Leave scheme provides two weeks of government-funded pay at the rate of the National Minimum Wage to eligible working dads and partners, including adoptive parents and same-sex partners, whose child is born or adopted from 1st of January 2013.

Dad and Partner Pay is administered and paid directly by the Australian Government, allowing businesses to support their employees without being out of pocket.

Workers who may not have paid parental leave entitlements from their employer, such as self-employed, contractor and casual workers, may also be eligible.

Having a new baby in the house is a big adjustment for any family

Dad and Partner Pay gives families financial support for eligible dads or partners to take time off work to bond with their new baby and support mums in the vital early months of their child's life.

Many dads and partners want to take time off to support their partner and be with the new addition to their family-but may feel uncomfortable asking for time off. Now eligible dads or partners will have access to pay from the government, and all employers have to do is grant up to two weeks unpaid leave.

Employers and employees can negotiate when to take the leave, but it must be taken in the first 12 months following the birth or adoption.

Good for business

All Australian businesses can now take advantage of the benefits of enabling staff to meet both family and work commitments, by encouraging eligible employees to take up the new entitlement.

Implementing family-friendly policies can help businesses increase staff loyalty, morale and motivation in the workplace. This in turn can help reduce absenteeism and staff turnover.

Dad and Partner Pay gives parents another option to help balance family and work. Employers are encouraged to work with their employees to help balance around this important time for families.

Employees cannot be working or on paid leave during their Dad and Partner Pay period.

To help support businesses, the Australian Government has developed a fact sheet, 'Dad and Partner Pay: The facts of life for employers', available for download at www.fahcsia.gov.au/dadandpartnerpay

About Dad and Partner Pay

Dad and Partner Pay is a new payment under the Australian Government's Paid Parental Leave scheme. It's available to eligible working dads or partners (including adopting parents and same-sex partners) who care for a child born or adopted from 1st of January 2013.

It provides up to two weeks of government-funded pay at the rate of the National Minimum Wage (currently about $606 per week before tax).

Claims must be lodged by the dad or partner who is eligible to receive the payment. Claims can be lodged up to three months before the expected date of birth or adoption or within 12 months following their child's birth or adoption.

Full-time, part-time, casual, contract, seasonal and self-employed workers may be eligible for Dad and Partner Pay.

Claims must be lodged by the dad or partner who is eligible to receive the payment. Claims can be lodged up to three months before the expected date of birth or adoption or within 12 months following their child's birth or adoption.

Eligible dads or partners must:
be caring for a child born or adopted from 1 January 2013
be an Australian resident
have worked for at least 10 of the 13 months prior to the start date of their Dad and Partner Pay period
have worked for at least 330 hours in that 10 month period (just over one day a week), with no more than an eight week gap between two consecutive working days
have an individual adjusted taxable income of $150,000 or less in the previous financial year
not be receiving paid leave or not working during the Dad and Partner Pay period.

For more information for employers as well as eligibility criteria, visit www.australia.gov.au/dadandpartnerpay or call the business hotline on 131 158.