Parental Leave Pay calculator (2026–27)
For babies born or adopted from 1 July 2026, the Australian Government's Parental Leave Pay gives a family 130 days (26 weeks) paid at the national minimum wage, currently $1,004.90 a week before tax, with superannuation paid on top. Enter your due date, how you will split the days and your employer's own leave, and the calculator shows how much you will receive, when the claim opens and when to give notice.
Figures use the 2026–27 minimum wage and 12 per cent super; tax is withheld when paid. Income and work tests apply. Source: Services Australia.
What changed on 1 July 2026
The scheme has grown each July since 2024: 110 days for births from 1 July 2024, 120 days from 1 July 2025 and 130 days (26 weeks) from 1 July 2026. Superannuation has been paid on top since 1 July 2025. In a couple, 20 days (4 weeks) are reserved for each parent on a use-it-or-lose-it basis, up to 20 days can be taken at the same time, and the rest can be shared however you choose. A single parent can take all 130 days. Source: Services Australia.
Who is eligible
- Work test: worked at least 10 of the 13 months before the birth, and at least 330 hours in that period (about one day a week), with no more than a 12-week gap. Self-employed and casual work count.
- Income test: an individual limit of about $186,000 adjusted taxable income in the previous financial year, or a family limit of about $386,000 where one partner is above the individual limit. Check the current figures on the Services Australia page; they index each July.
- Residence: an Australian resident, or the holder of a qualifying visa, on the day of the birth and throughout the payment period.
- Not working on your paid days, apart from keeping-in-touch days.
How it fits with your employer's leave
Parental Leave Pay is paid by the government, usually through your employer's payroll. It is separate from employer-paid parental leave, which some employers pay on top and others offset. Unpaid parental leave under the Fair Work Act is 12 months after 12 months' service, with a right to request 12 more; written notice is due at least 10 weeks before leave starts and the dates are confirmed four weeks before. The calculator puts both notice dates on your timeline. Source: Fair Work.
For the self-employed
Sole traders and contractors meet the work test with the hours they work for their own business, and Services Australia pays them directly. Keep invoices and a diary of hours for the 13 months before the birth. The money sections of this site follow the Services Australia rules and link to them; a short guide for self-employed parents follows.
Questions about Parental Leave Pay
How much is Parental Leave Pay in 2026?
$1,004.90 a week before tax (the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026), for up to 26 weeks for babies born from 1 July 2026, plus 12 per cent superannuation.
When can I claim Parental Leave Pay?
Up to three months before the due date, through myGov and Centrelink. Lodge early; the claim is finalised with the hospital's proof of birth.
Can both parents take Parental Leave Pay at the same time?
Yes, up to 20 days (4 weeks) concurrently. The rest is taken in turn, within two years of the birth.
Is Parental Leave Pay taxed?
Yes, it is taxable income and is paid with tax withheld. It counts towards your income for the year, which matters for Family Tax Benefit and the Medicare levy surcharge.
Do I get Parental Leave Pay and the Newborn Upfront Payment?
No, not for the same child. Families who do not qualify for Parental Leave Pay may get the Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement with Family Tax Benefit Part A.
See also: Family Tax Benefit calculator · Child Care Subsidy calculator
Rules current for 2026–27 (Services Australia, Fair Work); last reviewed 3 November 2026.