Paid parental leave increase is a foundation, not a finish line

Today’s increase to 26 weeks of government-funded paid parental leave is an important milestone for families and a welcome recognition that caring for a baby is valuable work.

From today, eligible families will be able to access 26 weeks of paid parental leave, paid at the minimum wage, with superannuation attached. This is real, hard-won progress and it will make a meaningful difference for parents and babies.

But 26 weeks should be a foundation, not a finish line.

At a time when paid parental leave has again been dragged into national debate, parents have made clear they want progress in this area. The question for Australia is no longer whether paid parental leave should exist, but whether the scheme gives families enough time, income and choice.

The Parenthood has long called for Australia to move towards 52 weeks of paid parental leave at a replacement wage, with meaningful time reserved for each parent.

The Parenthood CEO Georgie Dent said:

“Today is an important milestone for Australian families and a welcome recognition that caring for a baby is essential nation-building work.

“Paid parental leave gives parents time to care for their babies, recover from birth, establish feeding and adjust to life as a family without being forced straight back to work by financial pressure.

“The increase to 26 weeks is real progress. But it does not mean Australia has reached the recommended minimum of six months’ paid leave for mothers. The scheme is shared between parents, with four weeks reserved for the Dad and partner paid parental leave, and it is still paid at the minimum wage.

“That matters because paid leave is only meaningful if families can afford to use it.

“More fathers want to take leave, but wanting to be an involved dad is not the same as being able to afford weeks away from work on the minimum wage.

“Australia should build towards 52 weeks of paid parental leave at a replacement wage rate, with meaningful time reserved for each parent. Twenty-six weeks is an important foundation. Now we need the ambition to finish the job.”

The Parenthood is Australia’s leading parent advocacy organisation, representing families nationwide and working to make early childhood education and care safer, more affordable and accessible for every child.