Parents and employers can find out more about the scheme, eligibility requirements and how to apply at the Family Assistance Office website. 

The Paid Parental Leave Guide is available to assist in understanding the associated law and its application.  

Paid Parental Leave Bill

Andrea Hayward

October 13, 2010

AAP

The wheels are in motion for the implementation of the federal government's paid parental leave scheme.

The government's parental leave implementation group met for the first time in Melbourne on Wednesday ahead of the introduction of the scheme in January next year.

Under the taxpayer-funded scheme eligible parents can claim 18 weeks leave at the minimum weekly wage of $570.

The ACTU, other unions, various business groups, the Human Rights Commission and the National Foundation for Australian Women are represented on the group.

Families Minister Jenny Macklin said the implementation group would ensure a smooth rollout of the scheme in particular to employers who will provide the paid leave to their workers.

UnitingCare Australia, the National Australia Bank and Woolworths will provide advice, based on their experience, with the scheme's rollout.

Various government departments including Centrelink, which will administer the scheme for the first six months, are also represented on the group.

The coalition will introduce legislation to parliament that aims to prevent what it says is needless and pointless red tape for small businesses in administering the scheme.

Small business spokesman Bruce Billson wants Centrelink's Family Assistance Office to be responsible for the payments.

The coalition promised a six-month scheme with more generous payments for high-income earners funded by a levy on Australia's biggest companies.

The Australian Greens also want a six-month scheme plus superannuation payments.

But Greens women's status spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said while the party wanted to see improvements to the scheme it would not support the coalition move to diminish the workplace attachment in its administration.

"The coalition's bill is clearly coming from a business point of view but it's not in the best interests of parents and families," Senator Hanson-Young told AAP.

"It would defeat one of the key purposes of any paid parental leave scheme, which is recognising women's attachment to the workforce."

The coalition tried to move a similar amendment to the government's bill in the last parliament.

"We opposed it then and we oppose it now," Senator Hanson-Young said.

Centrelink will administer the scheme for the first six months before responsibility is handed to employers.

Ms Macklin said the government had consulted widely with employers, community groups and unions in the two years before the scheme was legislated in June.

© 2010 AAP

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/individuals/ppl_working_parents_estimator.htm

How the Paid Parental Leave Comparison Estimator works

http://www.familyassist.gov.au/payments/family-assistance-payments/paid-parental-leave-scheme/index.html

Paid Parental Leave scheme 

Australia’s first national Paid Parental Leave scheme starts on 1 January 2011.

Requirements for Payroll and Business Systems

The Employer Business Requirements Statement contains technical information for payroll software developers and other specialised practitioners.

For further information about the campaign leading to Paid Parental Leave 2010 See: Pre-Election 2010 Campaign