New laws to increase Australia’s government-funded paid parental leave to 26 weeks were passed in the Senate this week, a significant win for working families.
Parents currently have access to 20 weeks of paid parental leave, but under the changes, that amount will increase by two weeks each year from July 2024 until the 26 week rate is reached in 2026.
The legislation builds on previous changes made by the federal government, which started on 1 July 2023, to make Australia’s paid parental leave scheme more accessible, flexible, and gender equitable.
