Since 1 July 2026, government Paid Parental Leave provides a full 26 weeks, with super paid on top. This guide covers what changed and a simple checklist of the HR steps to get ready.
Good news for working families is also a prompt for employers to check their paperwork. Since 1 July 2026, the government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme has reached a milestone: a full 26 weeks of payment, with superannuation paid on top. If you employ staff, now is a good time to make sure your policies and processes keep pace.
This article is general information only and not financial, tax or legal advice. At Trusted HR Solutions, we help employers across Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast with the people and HR side of parental leave: your policy, your contracts, briefing managers and supporting a smooth return to work. The payroll mechanics and the super contribution sit with your accountant, bookkeeper and Services Australia, and we will point you in the right direction where needed.
Quick summary
- Since 1 July 2026, government Paid Parental Leave provides up to 26 weeks (130 days) for children born or adopted from that date.
- Each parent in a couple has a reserved four-week portion on a use it or lose it basis.
- Superannuation is now paid on Paid Parental Leave at 12 per cent, handled by the ATO.
- The payment is government-funded, but it often flows through your payroll.
- Your job as an employer is to keep your policy current, brief managers and plan for leave cover.
What Is Changing with Paid Parental Leave?
For children born or adopted since 1 July 2026, government-funded Paid Parental Leave has increased to 26 weeks, or 130 days based on a standard five-day week. This is the final step in a staged expansion that began at 20 weeks in 2023 and grew each year after that.
At the same time, each parent in a couple has a reserved portion of leave, currently four weeks, on a use it or lose it basis. This is designed to encourage both parents to share caring responsibilities rather than leaving it all to one person.
There is also a super change. For children born or adopted from 1 July 2025, the government now pays superannuation on Paid Parental Leave at 12 per cent of the payment, known as the Paid Parental Leave Superannuation Contribution. It is paid by the ATO into the employee’s nominated fund, and the first of these contributions started flowing from July 2026.
Who Pays for It, the Government or You?
The payment itself is funded by the government, not the employer. For eligible employees who have worked for you for at least 12 months, government Parental Leave Pay is usually passed on through your normal payroll, with the funds provided to you in advance by Services Australia. You do not pay your employee until you have received that money.
So while it is not your money, it can still involve your payroll and your processes, which is why it pays to be prepared. The payroll setup and the super contribution are questions for your accountant, bookkeeper or Services Australia, not something you need to fund yourself.
Does This Replace Your Own Parental Leave Policy?
No. Government Parental Leave Pay sits alongside any paid parental leave your business chooses to offer, and alongside the unpaid parental leave entitlements under the National Employment Standards. Many employers offer their own paid scheme as well, and increasingly add super to it. Reviewing how your policy interacts with the expanded government scheme helps you avoid gaps and awkward double-ups.
An Employer’s Checklist for the New Rules
A little preparation now means a smoother experience for you and your team.
1. Update Your Parental Leave Policy
Reflect the 26-week entitlement, the reserved four-week period and the super contribution in your workplace policies and any employee handbook, so your documents match the current rules.
2. Check Your Employment Contracts
Make sure your employment contracts and letters describe parental leave clearly and line up with your policy, so new parents know where they stand.
3. Confirm the Payroll Side
If you distribute government Parental Leave Pay through payroll, check with your accountant or bookkeeper that your system is across the new duration and timing. This is a payroll and tax question, not an HR one.
4. Brief Your Managers
Give the people who handle leave conversations a simple summary so they can answer questions accurately and supportively. Leadership coaching can help managers handle these moments with confidence and care.
5. Plan for Cover and the Return to Work
Longer leave makes it even more worthwhile to plan backfill or recruitment early, so teams are not left stretched. A structured, welcoming return-to-work approach, including stay-in-touch arrangements, helps you keep valued employees.
How Trusted HR Solutions Can Help
Parental leave is one of those moments where good HR really shows. We help employers keep their parental leave policy current and compliant, align employment contracts, brief managers, and design return-to-work plans that keep good people. A change like this is also a natural prompt for an HR audit to check the rest of your policies and records are in order.
Trusted HR Solutions is led by Tania Langler, who brings over 25 years of experience across local and NSW state government, health, construction, not-for-profit and private sector organisations. As a nationally accredited mediator and member of the Australian Human Resources Institute, Tania helps employers support their people through big moments without losing momentum in the business. For businesses that want ongoing support, Tania can work alongside you as an outsourced HR Business Partner.
To be clear on our boundaries: we provide HR guidance and support, not financial, tax or legal advice. For questions about payroll, the super contribution or your specific obligations, please speak to your accountant, bookkeeper, Services Australia or the ATO, and for legal questions we can refer you to a trusted employment lawyer. We are based in Coffs Harbour and work with regional businesses right across the Mid North Coast, face to face or online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Paid Parental Leave is available now?
For children born or adopted since 1 July 2026, families can get up to 26 weeks, or 130 days based on a five-day week, to share.
Is superannuation paid on Paid Parental Leave?
Yes. For children born or adopted from 1 July 2025, the ATO pays a 12 per cent super contribution on government Parental Leave Pay, with the first payments starting from July 2026.
Do employers pay for Paid Parental Leave?
No. The payment is funded by the government. Employers often distribute it through payroll using funds provided in advance by Services Australia, but do not fund it themselves.
Does government Parental Leave Pay replace our company policy?
No. It works alongside your own scheme and the unpaid parental leave entitlements under the National Employment Standards.
Does Trusted HR Solutions handle payroll or the super contribution?
No. We help with the people and HR side, including your policy, contracts, manager briefing and return-to-work planning. For payroll and the super contribution, please speak to your accountant, bookkeeper, Services Australia or the ATO.
Ready to Refresh Your Parental Leave Policy?
The rules have caught up with what good employers already want to do: support their people through one of life’s biggest moments. A current, clear policy makes that easy for everyone.
If you would like to talk it through, our door is open. There is no obligation and no jargon, just a straight conversation about your team and your obligations. You are welcome to get in touch for practical HR guidance, or read more about Tania and Trusted HR Solutions.
This article is general information only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please speak to a qualified professional or get in touch. This article was written by the team at Trusted HR Solutions, led by Tania Langler, a nationally accredited mediator and HR practitioner with over 25 years of experience across local and NSW state government, health, construction, not-for-profit and private sector organisations, and a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute (MAHRI). Trusted HR Solutions supports small and medium businesses across Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast.
References
- Services Australia, How much Parental Leave Pay you can get, https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-much-parental-leave-pay-you-can-get
- Services Australia, Paid Parental Leave scheme for employers, https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/paid-parental-leave-scheme-for-employers
- Australian Taxation Office, Paid Parental Leave Superannuation Contribution, https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/growing-and-keeping-track-of-your-super/how-to-save-more-in-your-super/government-super-contributions/paid-parental-leave-superannuation-contribution
- Fair Work Ombudsman, Parental leave, https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/parental-leave
