29 Jun Leave Entitlements For Parents
A quick summary table highlighting the main statutory leave entitlements available to parents/guardians of children. Please note that there are different notice requirements for taking leave and employees may delay or refuse leave requests if notification procedures are not complied with. In certain circumstances employer may also postpone leave been taken.
| Leave | Who gets it? | How long? | Statutory Payments |
| Maternity Leave | Female employees | 26 weeks and up to 16 additional weeks | Yes, Maternity Benefit is paid for 26 weeks |
| Adoptive Leave | One parent of the adopting couple or employees who are adopting alone | 24 weeks and up to 16 additional weeks | Yes, Adoptive Benefit is paid for 24 weeks |
| Paternity Leave | New parents of children under 2 years of age (but not the mother of the child) | 2 weeks | Yes, Paternity Benefit is paid for 2 weeks |
| Parental Leave | Parents and guardians of children under 12 years or children with a disability/long term illness up to age of 16 years | 26 weeks | No, it’s unpaid |
| Parent’s Leave | Parents of children under 2 years of age (or in first two years of adoption) | 7 weeks (w/e 1st July 2022) | Yes, Parent’s Benefit is paid for 7 weeks |