Understanding parental leave entitlements

Parental leave for mothers and partners

If you’re pregnant and have worked with the same employer for twelve months before your expected due date, you might be eligible for parental leave. If your partner is pregnant, there’s a chance you’ll be eligible for parental leave too. Read on for details. Some Enterprise Agreements and government funding schemes could give you access to paid parental leave. Check your eligibility below.

What is parental leave?

Parental leave is leave that can be taken when:

You give birth
Your spouse or de facto partner gives birth
You adopt a child under 16 years of age

The basic entitlement is 12 months of unpaid parental leave. You can also request an additional 12 months of leave.

Some people are also entitled to have some of this leave paid (see info below).

Am I eligible for parental leave?

You are able to take parental leave if you are a permanent employee and you:

1. Have worked for your employer for at least 12 months

Before the date or expected date of birth if you are pregnant
Before the date of the adoption, or
When the leave starts (if the leave is taken after another person cares for the child or takes parental leave)

2. Have or will have responsibility for the care of a child

If you are a casual employee, you will need to have:

Been working for your employer on a regular and systematic basis for at least 12 months
A reasonable expectation of continuing work with the employer on a regular and systematic basis, had it not been for the birth or adoption of a child.

Can I access paid parental leave?

The FSU negotiates for paid parental leave wherever possible. As a result, many employers in the finance industry provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave. This is in addition to the government-funded paid parental leave scheme, which is currently 18 weeks’ pay at the minimum wage.

How much paid parental leave is in my agreement?

If you work for one of the major financial institutions you can check your paid parental leave entitlement below. If your employer isn’t on this list, visit our awards and agreements page to see how much paid leave is provided in your Enterprise Agreement. You can also visit the Department of Human Services website for information about the government-funded paid parental leave scheme.

ANZ Enterprise Agreement 2015-2016	12 weeks paid leave for primary carer (irrespective of length of service) 1 week paid leave for secondary carer Superannuation on payments on up to 24 months on your return
Commonwealth Bank Group Enterprise Agreement 2016	12 weeks paid leave for primary carer 1 week paid leave for secondary carer Superannuation payments for 40 weeks unpaid leave after you have returned for 6 months
NAB Enterprise Agreement 2016	12 weeks paid leave for primary carer 2 weeks paid leave for secondary carer Superannuation payments for 40 weeks of unpaid leave if you return to work
Westpac Group Enterprise Agreement 2019	13 weeks paid leave for primary carer (irrespective of length of service) 3 weeks paid leave for secondary carer Superannuation payments for up to 24 months, if you return to work and apply within 6 months.
IAG Enterprise Agreement 2016	14 weeks paid leave for primary carer 3 weeks paid leave for secondary carer
Bankwest Enterprise Agreement 2016	12 weeks paid leave for primary carer 2 weeks paid leave for secondary carer Superannuation paid on up to 40 weeks unpaid parental leave
ME Bank Enterprise Agreement 2013	12 weeks paid leave for primary carer 1 week paid concurrent leave for secondary carer Superannuation payments for 26 weeks

Contact FSU

The information above is general and might not apply to your individual circumstances. For specific advice about your situation, contact FSU on 1300 366 378.