Centrelink is bumping up Parental Leave Pay in just weeks, putting an extra $1,831 in parents’ pockets.
Right now, if your kid was born after July 1 last year, you get 110 days (22 weeks) of payments. From July 1 this year, that jumps to 120 days for babies born or adopted after that date.
The catch? Your child needs to be born in the new financial year to get the extra 10 days.
Services Australia says you can claim up to three months before your baby’s due date, but “if you claim before July, your balance stays at 110 days.”
Who Can Get It?
You need to tick these boxes:
- Pass income and work tests
- Not work while getting payments
- Meet residency rules
- Register your baby’s birth
Income limits: Can’t earn more than $175,788 in the financial year before birth. Families get a higher limit of $364,350.
Work test: Must work 10 out of 13 months before birth, with at least 330 hours total (about one day per week).
Residency: Need Australian citizenship, permanent visa, or specific temporary visas. New residents usually wait two years.
How Much Cash?
Current rate is $183.16 per day before tax, or $915.80 for five days.
The extra 10 days means at least $1,831.60 more in your pocket. Rates are based on minimum wage, which goes up in July, so the actual amount could be higher.
The Fine Print
- Only one payment per birth (even for twins/triplets)
- Single parents keep all days
- Couples can share – currently 10 days to partners, rising to 15 days from July
- It’s taxable income
- Super contributions start from July 1
- Payment increases again to 130 days in July 2026
If you’ve already claimed before July 1 but your baby arrives after that date, Centrelink will automatically add the extra 10 days – no new claim needed.
