Expectant parents who have lost work because of extended lockdowns will not miss out on Paid Parental Leave, under legislative changes set to be introduced to Parliament today.
The federal government will seek to amend the Paid Parental Leave scheme to allow soon-to-be mums and dads to count the period that they received the COVID-19 Disaster Payment towards the work test.
Under existing rules, parents are required to show that they have worked 10 out of 13 months in the lead-up to the birth of their child and must not have had more than a 12-week gap between work days.
Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the proposed change will ensure parents who have had their hours slashed or have been stood down during the latest outbreaks are still eligible.
"We know that there are many families that have been in lockdown areas who have a baby on the way, and we want to make sure that those lockdowns won't affect their eligibility for paid parental leave," Ms Ruston told the ABC.
In Greater Sydney, where the lockdown has been extended to September 30, the government estimates up to 14,000 families could stand to miss out on Parental Leave Pay or Dad and Partner Pay.
Senator Ruston said parents receiving COVID-19 Disaster Payments who may have already had their Paid Parental Leave applications knocked back will be able to apply retrospectively.
"We're hoping the legislation will pass the parliament in the next sitting fortnight and immediately be given royal assent," she said.
COVID-19 Disaster Payments of $750 a week are available to Australians who have lost more than 20 hours of work due to lockdowns, while those who have lost between 8 and 20 hours can apply for payments of $450 a week.
