A parental leave letter in Australia is a formal notice that starts the process under the Fair Work Act 2009. Unlike the UK, there is no automatic right to paid parental leave through your employer — paid parental leave comes from the Australian Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme, separate from your job-protected unpaid leave entitlement.

Key Takeaways

  • Unpaid parental leave is a National Employment Standard (NES) — up to 12 months with a right to request an additional 12 months.
  • You must give your employer at least 10 weeks’ notice before the start of parental leave (or as soon as possible after the birth or adoption).
  • Government Paid Parental Leave (PPL) provides up to 20 weeks at the national minimum wage — paid by the government, not your employer.
  • Dad and Partner Pay (DADGP) provides up to 4 weeks at the national minimum wage for partners (being merged with PPL from July 2026).
  • Parental leave is available to both parents, including same-sex couples and adopting parents, as long as they meet the Fair Work Act eligibility requirements.

Template Letter: Parental Leave Application (Australia)

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]

[Manager's Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]

Subject: Parental Leave Notification — [Your Name]

Dear [Manager's Name],

I am writing to formally notify you of my intention to take parental leave under the National Employment Standards of the Fair Work Act 2009.

My child is expected to be born on [Date / or "I am adopting a child expected to enter my care on Date"]. I plan to start my parental leave on [Start Date].

My proposed leave period is [X months / X weeks]. I understand that unpaid parental leave is available for up to 12 months, with the option to request an extension of up to an additional 12 months.

During my absence, I propose the following arrangement:
- [Responsibility A] will be covered by [Name]
- [Responsibility B] will be covered by [Name]

I have [X] weeks of accrued annual leave and [X] weeks of long service leave, and I would like to discuss using some of this leave in conjunction with my parental leave period.

I am also applying for the Government Paid Parental Leave scheme and Dad and Partner Pay (if applicable), and I understand this is a separate application through Services Australia.

Please confirm receipt of this notification. I am happy to discuss the handover arrangements and any other details.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

Parental Leave Entitlements — Australia

Entitlement Details
Unpaid parental leave Up to 12 months — NES entitlement for all eligible employees
Request to extend Can request up to 12 additional months — employer must consider in writing within 21 days
Government Paid Parental Leave Up to 20 weeks at the national minimum wage (2026: approximately $915/week)
Dad and Partner Pay 2 weeks (being merged into PPL from July 2026)
Annual leave accrual Continues during unpaid parental leave under most awards
Contact during leave Employer can make reasonable contact — you are not required to work
Return to work Right to return to the same position (or a suitable alternative if the role has changed)

Statutory Notice Requirements

Notice Requirement Details
Minimum notice At least 10 weeks before the proposed start date
Estimated start date State the date your leave will start or the expected date of birth/adoption
Leave period State the length of leave you intend to take (e.g., “12 months”)
Confirmation of dates Within 4 weeks after the birth, you must confirm the actual start and end dates
Returning early Give at least 4 weeks’ notice of an earlier return date

Special Maternity Leave (Pregnancy Termination)

Under the Fair Work Act s.140(1), an employee who suffers a pregnancy loss before 20 weeks, or who has a termination related to pregnancy, may be entitled to special maternity leave (unpaid, for the duration of the pregnancy-related illness). This is separate from parental leave and does not reduce your parental leave entitlement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to take 12 months of parental leave?

No. You can take any length of parental leave up to 12 months. Many employees take 6–12 months, but you can take as little as 4 weeks if you choose.

Can I work during parental leave?

You can work up to 10 “keeping in touch” days during parental leave without it breaking the continuity of your leave. These days are paid at your normal rate. Your employer can require you to work on a KIT day if it is in your agreement, but must give reasonable notice.

What happens if I do not return after parental leave?

If you resign during or at the end of parental leave, you are not required to repay parental leave pay (government PPL is paid to you, not your employer). Annual leave accrued during leave will be paid out on termination.

Can both parents take parental leave at the same time?

Yes. Both parents are entitled to up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave each under the Fair Work Act. Some parents overlap their leave periods; others alternate. You must each give separate notice to your respective employers.

Do I need to tell my employer about my government PPL application?

You do not legally need to, but it is good practice. Your employer needs to confirm your employment details to Services Australia for the PPL application. Discuss the process with your employer early to avoid delays in your government payments.

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