For a new dad in Australia, the main payment is Parental Leave Pay, which is currently about $948.10 per week (before tax) for the 2025-2026 financial year, paid as a single amount for up to 10 weeks, replacing the older "Dad and Partner Pay" for new claims. This payment is based on the National Minimum Wage, and you'll get superannuation contributions on top for children born after July 1, 2025.
Rate of payment
The current payment for Parental Leave Pay is $189.62 a day before tax, or $948.10 per 5 day week. This is based on the weekly rate of the national minimum wage.
Yes, fathers (and partners) are eligible for paid parental leave in many places, like Australia, where the scheme now combines "Dad and Partner Pay" into a shared Parental Leave Pay for eligible parents to use flexibly for up to 20-22 weeks (or more) for children born or adopted from July 2023/2024, supporting financial security and bonding time, though eligibility depends on meeting income and work tests. In the US and other countries, entitlements vary significantly, often depending on employer policies or specific state laws (like FMLA for unpaid leave or state-specific paid programs).
The maximum paid parental leave payment in Australia increases annually, reaching up to 26 weeks (130 days) for children born or adopted on or after July 1, 2026, paid at the National Minimum Wage, with eligible families able to share these days and potentially combine them with employer-provided leave for greater financial support. For the current period (July 2025 - June 2026), it's 24 weeks (120 days).
From 1 July 2023, partnered couples can claim up to 20 weeks CPPL between them. Parents who are single at the time of their claim can access the full 20 weeks. The payment is at the National Minimum Wage which is indexed annually.
If you qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) it is paid for a maximum period of 39 weeks. It is paid: for the first six weeks at 90 per cent of your average gross weekly earnings with no upper limit.
The payment rate varies based on individual circumstances, including income amount and how many children you have. As of September 2024, the maximum fortnightly payment for a single parent is $987.70, which includes a pension supplement. This gross amount is subject to income and assets tests.
From 1 January 2013, transitional arrangements were abolished, and all parents could only receive PP until their youngest child turned 6 years (PPP), or 8 years (PPS). From 20 September 2023, the age of the youngest child to qualify for PPS was changed from under 8 years to under 14 years.
We generally assess your Parenting Payment from the date you submit your claim and documents. We can backdate your payments if you submit your claim and documents within either 4 weeks of: your child's birth. the date the child came into your care.
Some men may feel inadequate as fathers, particularly if they're not providing financially for their family, and thus won't take any parental leave. This is partly a result of the perpetuation of traditional notions of masculinity and what it means to be a father (e.g., the “breadwinner”).
The Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives eligible workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off after the birth or placement of a child. FMLA applies to fathers and non-birthing parents in addition to mothers, and in 2015, the law was amended to include same-sex couples too.
These so-called 'news reports' may pop up when you Google Centrelink, or in emails, on social media, or you may receive a phone call. We can confirm there are NO one-off payments due to be made by Centrelink.
The Australian Government provides Parental Leave Pay (PLP) for working parents at the National Minimum Wage. Both the primary carer and their partner (including same sex partners) can access this payment if they meet the eligibility criteria.
1 or 2 weeks' paid Paternity Leave.
Most employees in Alberta receive maternity leave pay through Employment Insurance (EI), not their employer. Here's how much you can receive if approved by Service Canada: 55% of your average weekly earnings.
Maximum rate for FTB Part A for each (fortnightly payment):
$222.04 for a child 0 to 12 years. $288.82 for a child 13 to 15 years. $288.82 for a child 16 to 19 years who meets the study requirements $71.26 for a child 0 to 19 years in an approved care organisation.
Job seekers classified under SSAct section 5 as a principal carer parent of a child must, unless exempted, satisfy mutual obligation requirements. They can do this by undertaking job search, participating in activities, and if applicable, attending appointments with their employment services provider.
Minimum child support payments vary by country, but in Australia, it's a set annual amount for parents with low income or limited care, with the rate increasing yearly (e.g., around $534 annually as of early 2025) and a fixed rate for some parents; however, these minimums generally don't apply if you have regular care (over 52 nights) or a private agreement. The actual minimum is determined by your income and care arrangements, with the goal of ensuring all parents contribute, and can be adjusted if you can prove your income is genuinely low.
In Australia, a father's child support payment isn't a fixed amount but is calculated by Services Australia based on both parents' incomes, the number and ages of children, and the percentage of time each parent spends with the child (care percentage). Factors like low income might lead to a minimum payment (around $1,825/year/child from Jan 2026), while higher incomes result in higher payments, with complex tables determining costs, capped at certain thresholds. You can use the Services Australia online estimator for an estimate.
You can claim Universal Credit during unpaid maternity and parental leave, although entitlement to a Universal Credit award will depend on household circumstances, including your partner's income (if applicable). If you are already receiving Universal Credit your payments may increase during a period of unpaid leave.
Some women begin taking their leave a week to a month before the expected birth because of discomfort or the desire for time to prepare. Others wait until the last moment so they can maximize their time with the baby once it arrives.
The government pays Parental Leave Pay at the national minimum wage rate of $948.10 per week before tax. Your total entitlement is 120 days (24 weeks), which can be taken as a continuous block or flexibly spread out to suit your family's needs. Here's what this looks like in practice: Per week: $948.10 (before tax)