THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER
MINISTER FOR FINANCE
MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE
MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES
THE HON GED KEARNEY MP
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE
MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, 27 June 2025
Bundle of joy for new parents as Paid Parental Leave changes to arrive Tuesday
From 1 July 2025, Albanese Labor Government reforms to Paid Parental Leave begin, giving around 180,000 families a year more flexibility and support at one of the most important times in their lives.
From Tuesday, the amount of Paid Parental Leave available to families increases to 24 weeks, giving parents an extra 2 weeks to spend with their newest family member.
The amount of Paid Parental Leave parents can take off at the same time will also increase from 2 weeks to 4 weeks.
Thanks to the Government’s reforms, Paid Parental Leave will continue to expand to 26 weeks by 1 July 2026.
In a huge step to help close the gender gap in retirement incomes, superannuation will now also be paid on government Paid Parental Leave. The 12 per cent contribution, based on the increase in the Superannuation Guarantee that also starts from 1 July, will be paid as a contribution to their nominated superannuation fund.
Parents will also benefit from an increase in the weekly payment rate of Paid Parental Leave, increasing from $915.80 to $948.10 in line with the increase to the National Minimum Wage. This means a total increase of $775.20 over the 24-week entitlement.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek:
“Working parents across Australia are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newest additions to their families and to Paid Parental Leave reforms.
“Investing in more generous and flexible Paid Parental Leave is a no-brainer.
“For the first time ever, superannuation will be paid on Paid Parental Leave because Australian women told us they were worried about poverty in retirement and were sick of being penalised for parenting.
“It was a Labor Government – the Gillard Government - that introduced Paid Parental Leave in this country, and when the Liberals and Nationals had their chance they tried to roll it back.
“Only Labor will protect and expand Paid Parental Leave.”
Attributable to Minister for Finance and Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher:
“The Albanese Government has consistently put Australian women at the heart of what we do, and from July 1 they will be even better off.
“Last year, our Labor Government passed laws to have superannuation paid on government parental leave payments for the first time, and that will start from Tuesday.
“PPL was the only form of paid leave that did not have superannuation paid on it - the Albanese Government fixed this to ensure women are not financially penalised for taking time out to care for children.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Social Services, Ged Kearney:
“This change recognises that raising a child is not a break from work – it is work.
“Increasing Paid Parental Leave to 24 weeks and paying super on that leave sends a powerful message: caring for family should never come at the expense of your financial security later in life.
“It’s a step toward a more equal, compassionate Australia.”
END
