Updated · Apr 2026
Topic Hub · Parental leave pay

Parental Leave Pay Calculator Australia.

Calculate Paid Parental Leave at the National Minimum Wage: 120 days (24 weeks) currently, rising to 130 days (26 weeks) from 1 July 2026, plus 12 months unpaid parental leave under the NES.

✓ Free, no sign-up|Live|Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth)

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Standard FT week is 38 hours.
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Here's your entitlement

AU$22,754.40
24 weeks of Paid Parental Leave at the National Minimum Wage (rises to 26 from 1 July 2026).
24 wks
Paid PPL (current)
52 wks
Unpaid NES
71%
Wage replacement
See full calculationPaid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth)
ComponentFormulaValue
Paid PPL weeks (FY2025-26)120 days ÷ 5 days/wk24 weeks
Paid PPL weeks (from 1 Jul 2026)130 days ÷ 5 days/wk26 weeks
NMW weekly rate$24.95 × 38h$948.10
PPL gross (current)24 × $948.10$22,754.40
Your weekly pay38h × $35.00$1330.00
Income gap over 24 wksown pay − PPL$9,165.60
Unpaid NES leaveFair Work Act s.70up to 52 weeks

Wage replacement at NMW

PPL covers
$948/wk
Income gap
$382/wk

ⓘ Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth) and the National Employment Standards. Currently 120 days (24 weeks) at NMW; rises to 130 days (26 weeks) from 1 July 2026 under the staged 2023 reforms. PPL may be split between parents.

Sarah Reid, CAHRI
Reviewed bySarah Reid, CAHRICert IV Payroll · Sydney based
Verified expert

Disclaimer: This tool does not constitute legal or financial advice. Results may be inaccurate due to changes in legislation or your circumstances. This tool does not constitute legal or financial advice. We do not recommend taking actions based solely on these results. The calculator makes assumptions and results may be inaccurate due to changes in legislation, modern awards, or your personal circumstances. You use this information at your own risk. We can't guarantee to be perfect, so do note you use the information at your own risk and we can't accept liability if things go wrong. For official guidance, visit Fair Work Ombudsman (fairwork.gov.au). Fair Work Ombudsman.

Parental leave pay Snapshot

Three numbers that define this entitlement.

Every figure derived from current legislation.

NES Entitlement
4wks/yr
For FT & PT
Set by the relevant statute.
Accrual rate
2.923hrs/wk
For 38-hr FT week
152 hrs over 52 weeks.
Loading
17.5%
On top of base pay
Award-dependent.

Paid Parental Leave (PPL): how much you get

Government Paid Parental Leave is paid at the National Minimum Wage for 120 days (24 weeks) now, rising to 130 days (26 weeks) from 1 July 2026. To qualify you must meet a work test (worked around 10 of the 13 months before the birth or placement) and an individual income test. PPL can be shared between parents and taken flexibly within 2 years of the birth or adoption.

Unpaid parental leave under the NES

Separate from paid PPL, the National Employment Standards give eligible employees up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave, with the right to request a further 12 months. You qualify after 12 months of continuous service before the expected birth or placement. Casuals can be eligible if they were employed on a regular and systematic basis and had a reasonable expectation of continuing work.

Maternity, paternity and adoption leave

Australian federal law does not use separate maternity, paternity or adoption categories: they all fall under the single NES parental leave entitlement, which is gender-neutral and covers birth and adoption alike. Both parents can take leave, and a portion can be taken at the same time (concurrent leave). Your award or enterprise agreement may add employer-funded paid parental leave on top of the government scheme.

Related Calculators

Entitlements that go with parental leave pay.

These come up in the same pay run or calculation. Each has its own calculator.

PL
Personal / sick / carer's calculator10 days/year combined entitlement
AL
Annual leave calculator4 weeks/year + 17.5% loading
LSL
Long service leave calculatorAfter 7-10 years, varies by state
Q & A

Parental leave pay questions.

The most-asked questions about this entitlement.

How long can I take off for parental leave?
Up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave under the NES (s.71 of the Fair Work Act 2009), with a right to request another 12 months making 24 months in total. Each parent has their own 12-month entitlement. Run the parental-leave calculator →
How much does Government Paid Parental Leave pay in 2026?
Currently 120 days (24 weeks) at the National Minimum Wage for the FY2025-26 period, rising to 130 days (26 weeks) from 1 July 2026 under the staged 2023 reforms. Government PPL is administered by Services Australia and is in addition to any employer top-up.
Am I eligible for paid parental leave?
You need 12 months of continuous service before your child's expected birth or adoption placement to be eligible for unpaid parental leave under the NES. For Government PPL, you also need to meet the work test (10 of the 13 months prior, working at least 1 day per week of which 330 hours total).
What are "keep in touch" days?
You can perform up to 10 paid "keep in touch" days during unpaid parental leave without breaking your leave or losing your eligibility for the rest of it. They're paid at your normal rate for the work performed.
Do casuals get parental leave?
Casuals are eligible for unpaid parental leave under the NES if they've been engaged on a regular and systematic basis for at least 12 months and would have continued but for the birth or adoption.
Did Government PPL become superannuable?
Yes. From 1 July 2025, the ATO pays a 12% Paid Parental Leave Superannuation Contribution (PALSC) on top of Government PPL into the recipient's super fund. This applied for the first time in the 2025-26 income year.
Can both parents take paid parental leave at the same time?
Yes. From 1 July 2023 the scheme was restructured to allow both parents to take days concurrently or split the days between them, replacing the old "primary carer" model.
Parental leave pay Methodology

Built on Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth).

Every parental leave pay calculation on this page is built directly from Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth) and the relevant modern award where applicable.

Reviewed by a registered HR practitioner.

Last reviewed25 Apr 2026
ReviewerSarah Reid, CAHRI
Primary sourcePaid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth)
RefreshQuarterly