Government Parental Leave Pay reached 130 days, or 26 weeks, for a child born or adopted from 1 July 2026. That is the top of the staged increases legislated in 2023, which stepped the scheme up from 110 days, to 120 days, and now to 130.
The rate for 2026-27 is $200.94 a day before tax, which is $1,004.70 for a standard 5-day week. Twenty of the 130 days are now reserved for each parent on a use-it-or-lose-it basis.
What changed on 1 July 2026
The number of days available depends on when your child was born or adopted, not on when you claim. A child born on 30 June 2026 attracts 120 days; a child born on 1 July 2026 attracts 130. Services Australia publishes the day count by birth date, so the boundary matters if your due date sits near the end of June.
This post covers the change itself. For how the scheme actually works, including eligibility, the work test and how it interacts with unpaid leave from your employer, read our maternity leave guide and paternity leave guide.
The staged timeline
| Child born or adopted from | Total days | Weeks | Days reserved for the other parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2024 | 110 days | 22 | 10 days |
| 1 July 2025 | 120 days | 24 | 15 days |
| 1 July 2026 | 130 days | 26 | 20 days |
Services Australia, How much Parental Leave Pay you can get (page dated 1 July 2026). Figures verified 26 July 2026. Rates change on 1 July each year.
The reserved days
For a partnered couple, the 130 days are not a free-for-all. 20 days are reserved for the other parent, which means one partnered parent can claim at most 110 days. If the second parent does not take their reserved days, those days are lost rather than transferred. The reserved block has grown alongside the total, from 10 days for a child born from 1 July 2024, to 15, and now 20.
Single parents are treated differently and can access all of the days. There is no partner to reserve anything for.
What the full entitlement is worth
At the 2026-27 rate of $200.94 a day, the full 130 days is worth $26,122.20 gross across the family, before tax. Parental Leave Pay is taxable income, so what lands in your account depends on your marginal rate.
A worked example
Ana and Jesse have a baby born in August 2026, so the family has 130 days of Parental Leave Pay.
Jesse takes the 20 reserved days, worth 20 × $200.94 = $4,018.80.
Ana takes the remaining 110 days, worth 110 × $200.94 = $22,103.40.
Together they receive the full $26,122.20. Had Jesse taken none of his reserved days, those 20 days would have been lost and the family would have received $22,103.40 instead.
Common questions
Does the birth date or the claim date decide how many days I get?
The date the child was born or adopted. A child born before 1 July 2026 attracts the earlier, smaller entitlement even if you claim after that date.
Can one parent take all 130 days?
Not if you are partnered. Twenty days are reserved for the other parent, capping one partnered parent at 110 days. Single parents can access all of the days.
Is superannuation paid on Parental Leave Pay?
Yes, for a child born or adopted from 1 July 2025. The ATO pays it as a lump sum after the end of the financial year. See our post on super on Parental Leave Pay.
Author & reviewer
Sarah has spent over a decade advising Australian SMBs on Fair Work, NES compliance, and payroll. Based in Sydney, she has worked across hospitality, retail and professional services.