Expecting a baby as a visa holder or new permanent resident in Australia? Understanding your Paid Parental Leave (PPL) entitlements could mean accessing up to $25,000 in government support-but the eligibility rules for migrants are complex. This comprehensive guide explains the 2026 PPL scheme, which visa holders qualify, the work test requirements, and how the Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (NARWP) affects your claim. For a complete overview of all government benefits available to migrants, see our Centrelink & Government Benefits Guide.
Major Changes to Paid Parental Leave in 2026
Australia's Parental Leave Pay scheme has undergone significant expansion, with the full rollout completing on 1 July 2026. Here's what eligible parents can now access:
| Effective Date | Total Weeks Available | Reserved for Each Parent | Payment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| From 1 July 2024 | 22 weeks | 2 weeks each | National minimum wage |
| From 1 July 2025 | 24 weeks | 3 weeks each | National minimum wage |
| From 1 July 2026 | 26 weeks | 4 weeks each | $189.62/day |
Dad and Partner Pay Has Been Abolished. As of 1 July 2024, the separate "Dad and Partner Pay" payment no longer exists. It has been integrated into the unified, gender-neutral Parental Leave Pay scheme. Both parents now draw from the same pool of entitlements.
Key 2026 Features
26 Weeks Total Leave: Eligible families can access up to 26 weeks (130 days) of government-funded Parental Leave Pay for children born or adopted from 1 July 2026 onwards.
Reserved "Use It or Lose It" Weeks: Four weeks are reserved for each parent. If one parent doesn't take their reserved weeks, those weeks are forfeited-they cannot be transferred to the other parent. Single parents can access all 26 weeks.
Concurrent Leave: Both parents can take up to 4 weeks of their PPL entitlement at the same time, allowing families to be together during those crucial early weeks.
Superannuation Contributions: For babies born or adopted from 1 July 2025, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) pays a 12% superannuation contribution on your PPL payments. This is paid as a lump sum directly to your nominated super fund after the end of the financial year.
Flexible Access: You can take PPL in blocks as small as one day, with periods of work in between, as long as all leave is taken within two years of the child's birth or adoption.
Payment Rate (2025-26)
| Payment Structure | Amount (Before Tax) |
|---|---|
| Daily Rate | $189.62 |
| Weekly Rate (5 days) | $948.10 |
| Maximum 26 Weeks | ~$24,651 |
The payment rate is set at the national minimum wage and typically adjusts on 1 July each year. The amounts above are current as of 2025-26.
Who Can Claim Parental Leave Pay?
To receive PPL, you must meet all four eligibility requirements:
1. Care Requirement
You must be the primary carer for your newborn or newly adopted child. This applies to:
- Birth mothers
- Fathers and partners of birth mothers
- Adoptive parents
- Partners of adoptive parents
- Individuals caring for a child under a surrogacy arrangement
2. Residency Requirement
You must be living in Australia and hold one of these visa types. Note that PPL eligibility is separate from Medicare eligibility-you may have Medicare access but still be ineligible for PPL:
| Visa Type | Eligible for PPL? |
|---|---|
| Australian Citizen | ✅ Yes |
| Permanent Resident (189, 190, 186, etc.) | ✅ Yes (after NARWP) |
| Partner Provisional Visa (309, 820) | ✅ Yes (after NARWP) |
| Temporary Protection Visa (785, 790) | ✅ Yes |
| Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (790) | ✅ Yes |
| Special Category Visa (NZ citizens - 444) | ✅ Yes (subject to NARWP) |
Not Eligible for PPL
| Visa Type | Eligible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Provisional Visa (491, 494) | ❌ No | Despite having Medicare access |
| Skills in Demand Visa (482) | ❌ No | Considered temporary for social security |
| Bridging Visa | ❌ No | But time in Australia on BVA does count towards NARWP |
| Working Holiday Visa (417/462) | ❌ No | |
| Student Visa (500) | ❌ No | |
| Visitor Visa (600) | ❌ No |
Partner Visa Holders: If you hold a partner provisional visa (309/820), your 104-week NARWP starts from the later of either: (1) when you applied for the visa, or (2) when you arrived in Australia to live. Every day you are in Australia as an Australian resident-including time on a Bridging Visa A-counts towards serving your waiting period. However, time spent overseas does not count.
3. Income Test
PPL has both individual and family income tests:
| Test | Threshold (2025-26) |
|---|---|
| Individual Income Test | Adjusted taxable income ≤ $180,007 in the financial year before claim |
| Family Income Test | Combined family adjusted taxable income ≤ $350,000 |
You must pass one of these tests (typically the individual test applies first; family test is used if individual test fails).
4. Work Test
This is where many migrants encounter challenges. You must have:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| 10 of 13 Months | Worked for at least 10 of the 13 months before the birth or adoption |
| 330 Hours Minimum | Completed at least 330 hours of work in that 10-month period (approximately 1 day per week) |
| 12-Week Gap Rule | No more than 12 consecutive weeks without working between any two working days in that 10-month period |
What Counts as "Work":
- Paid employment (full-time, part-time, casual)
- Self-employment
- Paid leave (annual leave, sick leave, long service leave)
- Previous periods of Parental Leave Pay (credited as 7.6 hours per weekday)
- Working for an Australian employer while overseas
Does NOT Count:
- Unpaid leave
- Volunteer work
- Study
- Work for a foreign employer while you were a non-resident of Australia
Work Test for Migrants: Overseas Employment
The treatment of overseas work is nuanced for migrants:
| Scenario | Counts for Work Test? |
|---|---|
| Working for an Australian employer while overseas | ✅ Yes |
| Working for a foreign employer while a non-resident | ❌ No |
| Working remotely for a foreign company while living in Australia as a tax resident | ⚠️ Potentially (case-by-case) |
The Transition Gap Trap: If you stop working overseas, travel to Australia, and don't start a new job for more than 12 weeks, you break the continuity required for the work test. Plan your job transition carefully to avoid this gap.
Work Test Exemptions
You may be exempt from the work test if you experienced:
- Pregnancy-related complications or illness
- Premature birth (work test calculated based on expected due date instead)
- Stillbirth or infant death
- Working in a dangerous job during pregnancy (if no safe duties available, work test period ends when you stopped work)
- Employer-initiated redundancy
- Natural disaster preventing you from working
The Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (NARWP)
This is the most critical rule for migrants. If you were granted a permanent visa or temporary partner visa (309/820) on or after 1 January 2019, you must generally complete a 104-week (2-year) waiting period before you can receive PPL.
| Visa Grant Date | NARWP for PPL |
|---|---|
| Before 1 January 2019 | Nil |
| On or after 1 January 2019 | 104 weeks (2 years) |
The NARWP Must Be Completed Before Birth: Unlike some other payments, the 104-week waiting period for PPL must be completed before your child is born or adopted-not before you start receiving payments. This is a critical planning consideration for couples expecting a baby.
When Does the NARWP Start?
| Visa Type | NARWP Start Date |
|---|---|
| Partner Visa (309/820) | From the later of: visa application date OR arrival in Australia to live |
| Skilled/Other PR | From your visa grant date or arrival date (whichever is later) |
Bridging Visa Time Counts: If you applied for a partner visa and are waiting on a Bridging Visa A, every day you are in Australia counts towards your NARWP. However, you cannot receive PPL while on the bridging visa-you must hold the partner visa (820/801) when the child is born and when you receive payments. For more on partner visa timing, see our Partner Visa Processing Times 2026 guide.
Overseas Travel Doesn't Count: If you travel overseas during your waiting period, the time you're away from Australia will not count towards your NARWP. This can delay your eligibility-plan any travel carefully if you're trying to complete your waiting period before having a baby.
NARWP Exemptions
You may be exempt from the 104-week waiting period if:
| Exemption Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Australian Citizen | If you become a citizen before your child is born, the NARWP no longer applies |
| Refugees/Humanitarian Visa Holders | Subclass 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 866, 785, 790 |
| Family Member of Refugee | If you were a family member when the refugee gained their status |
| Orphan/Remaining Relative Visa | Subclass 115, 117, 835, 837 |
| Already Receiving Income Support | If you were receiving a social security pension or benefit when your child was born |
| Partner Visa Before 2019 | If you held a 309/820 before 1 January 2019 (grants immediate access) |
| Protected SCV Holder | Special Category Visa held on or before 26 February 2001 |
| Lone Parent After Arrival | If your relationship breaks down or partner dies while serving NARWP |
| Substantial Change in Circumstances | Domestic violence, serious illness, or death of sponsor after arrival |
Employer-Paid Parental Leave (Top-Ups)
Many Australian employers offer parental leave policies that supplement the government scheme. If your employer provides paid parental leave, you may be able to receive both:
- Government Parental Leave Pay (26 weeks at minimum wage)
- Employer-funded parental leave (varies by company)
What Leading Employers Offer
| Employer Type | Typical Benefits |
|---|---|
| Large Corporates (Big 4, Banks, Tech) | 12-26 weeks at full pay, superannuation, gender-neutral policies |
| Government/Public Sector | 12-18 weeks at full pay, often generous super contributions |
| SMEs | Varies widely-some offer nothing beyond the government scheme |
Trend Alert: Many employers are moving to "gender-neutral" parental leave policies, offering the same entitlements to all parents regardless of gender. Companies like Deloitte, PwC, and Medibank now offer equal leave to both parents.
Can I Receive Both Government and Employer PPL?
Yes. The government PPL scheme is designed to work alongside employer-funded parental leave. However:
- You cannot receive government PPL while receiving employer-paid parental leave if you are required to work during that period
- You can receive government PPL while on employer-funded parental leave if you are not working
- The government scheme is flexible-you can take it before, after, or interspersed with employer leave
Strategy for Maximising Leave: Consider taking your employer-paid parental leave first (at your full salary), then transitioning to government PPL (at minimum wage). This maximises your total income during parental leave. Once you return to work, you'll need to consider childcare options and costs.
How to Apply for Parental Leave Pay
When to Apply
| Timing | Details |
|---|---|
| Before Birth | You can claim from 3 months before your expected due date (recommended: 30 weeks pregnancy) |
| After Birth | Claim within 12 weeks of the birth for payments to start from the birth date |
| Deadline | Claims must be lodged within 52 weeks of the birth |
| Late Claims | Claims after 12 weeks may result in reduced backpay |
Migrants Should Claim Early: If you have complex visa circumstances, apply at the 30-week pregnancy mark. This gives Services Australia time to verify your visa details and NARWP calculations before the baby arrives.
Application Steps
- Create/Log into myGov - link your Centrelink account
- Submit Your Claim - complete the online claim for Parental Leave Pay
- Provide Evidence - proof of birth (usually automatic via hospital), work history, income details, visa grant notice
- Nominate Your Payment Schedule - choose when you want payments and for how long
- Confirm Your Super Fund - ensure your nominated super fund is correct for the 12% contribution
Both Parents Must Claim Separately: If both parents want to access their reserved weeks, each parent must submit their own PPL claim. This is not automatic.
Keeping in Touch Days
During your PPL period, you can work for up to 10 "Keeping in Touch" days without losing your entitlement. This allows you to:
- Attend essential meetings or training
- Maintain professional connections
- Ease back into work gradually
These days are optional and must be agreed with your employer-you cannot be required to work during PPL.
Case Study: Planning PPL as a Partner Visa Holder
Scenario: Mei-Lin lodged her partner visa application in March 2023, which granted her a Bridging Visa A. She arrived in Australia to live in January 2024 (on the BVA). Her Subclass 820 Partner (Provisional) Visa was granted in October 2024. She is expecting a baby in December 2026.
Analysis:
- Visa application date: March 2023
- Arrival in Australia: January 2024
- NARWP start date: January 2024 (the later of application date or arrival)
- 820 visa granted: October 2024
- NARWP completion: January 2026 (104 weeks after arrival)
- Baby due: December 2026
Outcome: Mei-Lin's NARWP was completed in January 2026-well before her baby is due in December 2026. All the time she spent in Australia on her Bridging Visa A (from January 2024 to October 2024) counted towards her waiting period. She will be eligible for the full 26 weeks of PPL if she meets the work test and income test.
Key Insight: Since Mei-Lin arrived in Australia after she applied for her visa, her NARWP started from her arrival date (January 2024), not her application date (March 2023). If she had already been living in Australia when she applied, the NARWP would have started from the application date instead.
Travel Planning: If Mei-Lin had travelled overseas during her waiting period, that time would not have counted towards her NARWP. For example, if she took a 3-month trip home during 2025, her NARWP completion would have been delayed by 3 months.
Strategy: Mei-Lin should ensure she maintains employment that satisfies the work test (10 of 13 months, 330+ hours) leading up to her due date. She should also confirm her super fund is correctly nominated in myGov before claiming. Once her baby arrives, she can follow our Newborn in Australia Checklist for all the essential registrations.
Parental Leave Pay vs Other Family Payments
| Payment | What It Is | NARWP | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parental Leave Pay | Up to 26 weeks at minimum wage for new parents | 104 weeks | Work test + income test |
| Family Tax Benefit Part A | Per-child payment based on income | 52 weeks | Income test only |
| Family Tax Benefit Part B | Per-family payment for single-income families | Nil | Income test only |
| Child Care Subsidy | Reduces childcare costs | Nil | Activity test + income test |
Stack Your Benefits: Use our Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket childcare costs once you return to work. The CCS can cover up to 90% of fees for eligible families.
Common Questions
Q: I'm on a 491 visa and pregnant. Can I access PPL? A: Unfortunately, no. 491 and 494 regional visa holders are not eligible for Parental Leave Pay, despite paying Australian taxes and having Medicare access. You may be eligible for employer-funded parental leave if your employer offers it.
Q: My partner is an Australian citizen. Does that help my PPL eligibility? A: Your partner's citizenship does not exempt you from the NARWP. However, your Australian citizen partner may be able to claim their 4 reserved weeks of PPL (and potentially more if you transfer days to them) regardless of your visa situation.
Q: I worked overseas before migrating. Does that count for the work test? A: Yes, overseas work can count towards the work test. You'll need to provide evidence such as payslips, employment contracts, or tax records from your previous country.
Q: Can I travel overseas while receiving PPL? A: Generally, no. You must be in Australia to receive PPL. However, partner visa holders (309/820) may be able to receive PPL overseas for limited periods (2-6 weeks) for approved reasons such as acute family crises or medical treatment unavailable in Australia.
Q: I'm self-employed. Can I claim PPL? A: Yes, self-employment counts as work for the PPL work test. Ensure you have documentation of your self-employment income and hours worked.
Q: What if I don't meet the work test? A: If you don't meet the standard work test, check if any exemptions apply (pregnancy complications, dangerous job, redundancy). If not, you may still be eligible for other family payments like Family Tax Benefit.
Planning Checklist for Expecting Migrant Parents
Before Pregnancy
- Check your visa type and confirm PPL eligibility
- Calculate your NARWP completion date
- Plan pregnancy timing around NARWP completion if possible
- Confirm your employment meets the work test requirements
During Pregnancy
- Confirm employer parental leave entitlements
- Apply for PPL from 3 months before due date
- Discuss flexible work arrangements for return to work
- Link myGov to Centrelink and Medicare
After Birth
- Ensure birth is registered (hospital usually does this automatically)
- Confirm PPL claim is processed
- Claim Family Tax Benefit Part B (no waiting period)
- Complete all newborn registrations (birth certificate, Medicare, Centrelink)
- Mark calendar for FTB Part A eligibility (52 weeks)
- Set up childcare and apply for Child Care Subsidy
Summary: PPL for Migrants at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Duration (from July 2026) | 26 weeks |
| Payment Rate | $189.62/day (~$948/week) |
| Reserved per Parent | 4 weeks (use it or lose it) |
| NARWP for New PRs | 104 weeks (must complete before birth) |
| Partner Visa (309/820) Eligible? | ✅ Yes (after NARWP) |
| 491/494/482 Eligible? | ❌ No |
| Work Test | 10 of 13 months, 330+ hours |
| Income Test | ≤$180,007 individual OR ≤$350,000 family |
| Superannuation | 12% paid by ATO from July 2025 births |
How First Migration Can Help
While Parental Leave Pay is administered by Services Australia (Centrelink), your visa type directly affects when-and whether-you become eligible. For migrant families planning to grow, understanding these rules is essential for financial and family planning.
At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents can help you:
- Understand how your current visa affects benefit eligibility
- Plan your migration timeline to align with family planning goals
- Navigate the transition from provisional to permanent partner visas
- Ensure your pathway maximises access to family benefits
Ready to plan with confidence? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can help you understand your eligibility and plan your migration journey.
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Registration No. 1569835
Certified by the Migration Agents Registration Authority. Your trusted partner for Australian visa applications.
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