Auckland (Avneet Kaur)
Families welcoming a baby or adopting a child from 1 July 2026 will receive more government-funded parental leave under changes confirmed by Services Australia.
From next month, the number of Paid Parental Leave days available to eligible families will increase from 120 days to 130 days, taking the total entitlement from 24 weeks to 26 weeks.
The change marks the final stage of a multi-year expansion of Australia’s Paid Parental Leave scheme, which has gradually increased from 20 weeks in 2023 to 22 weeks in 2024, 24 weeks in 2025 and now 26 weeks from July 2026.
Under the updated scheme, families whose child is born or adopted on or after 1 July 2026 will be eligible for up to 130 days of government-funded Parental Leave Pay. The payment is made at the national minimum wage rate and can be shared between eligible parents.
Services Australia said parents who submit a claim before July will initially see a balance of 120 days. Once proof is provided that the child was born or adopted on or after 1 July 2026, the additional 10 days will automatically be added to their entitlement.
The reforms also include changes designed to encourage both parents to take time away from work to care for their child. From July 2026, 20 days of the Parental Leave Pay entitlement will be reserved for the other parent in two-parent families.
Services Australia said the expanded leave aims to give families greater financial support during the early months of a child’s life while allowing parents more flexibility in balancing work and family responsibilities.
The increase means eligible Australian families will have access to six months of government-funded parental leave for the first time since the scheme was introduced.
