The Australian Government is planning to deliver Australia’s first national Paid Parental Leave scheme from 1 January 2011. It will provide eligible working parents with 18 weeks of pay at the weekly rate of the National Minimum Wage.

An exposure draft of the Paid Parental Leave Scheme Bill 2010 has been released and referred to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 3 June 2010.

The Paid Parental Leave legislation is expected to be passed by Parliament before the end of June 2010.

The Family Assistance Office website has information on the draft Paid Parental Leave legislation for parents and employers, including draft requirements for payroll and business systems and the process for parents to lodge a claim in the draft legislation.