The Senate has passed the Paid Parental Leave Bill 2010. The Bill will now be approved by the House of Representatives. UPDATE: Senate amendments agreed to by House of Representatives.

The Paid Parental Leave scheme will commence on 1 January 2011. It will provide eligible working parents with 18 weeks of pay at the weekly rate of the National Minimum Wage.

The scheme will be administered by the Family Assistance Office.

Businesses will need to review their existing employment contracts to assess compliance and overlaps.

UPDATE: BIll assented to on 14 July 2010.