From 1 July 2025, eligible parents can access up to 24 weeks (120 days) of government-funded Paid Parental Leave. The payment rate is the national minimum wage — approximately $189.62 per day in 2025–26, or $947.95 per week before tax. PPL days can be shared between eligible partners and can be taken flexibly within two years of the child's birth or placement.
To receive government PPL, you must: be the primary carer of a newborn or newly adopted child; meet the income test (Adjusted Taxable Income under $175,788 in the year prior to the claim); have worked at least 10 of the 13 months before the birth; and be an Australian resident. Partners can claim any unused days if they also meet the eligibility criteria independently.
From 1 July 2025, the Australian Government pays the Super Guarantee (12%) on government PPL into the recipient's nominated super fund. It is paid as a lump sum with interest after the end of the financial year. This applies to government PPL only — not employer-paid leave. For a parent on the full 24-week entitlement, this represents approximately $2,730 in additional super contributions.
Government PPL is taxable income and is included in your Adjusted Taxable Income. This can affect your CCS percentage if it pushes combined family ATI above a taper threshold. While on parental leave, you may not be meeting the activity test — but from 5 January 2026, the 3-day guarantee ensures all eligible families receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight regardless of activity. When you return to work, your full entitlement is restored from the following fortnight.
From 1 July 2025, both parents can take government PPL concurrently for up to 10 days. The remaining days must be taken separately. Total combined PPL days cannot exceed the annual entitlement of 120 days. Each parent must independently meet the income test and work requirements.
The PPL Planner combines your employer paid leave, government PPL weeks, any unpaid leave period, and your partner's income to produce a month-by-month household income timeline. It then models return-to-work childcare costs at 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week — applying the current CCS percentage to your gap fees so you can see the real weekly out-of-pocket cost for each scenario.
Model your household income across your leave period. Combine employer paid leave, government PPL (up to 24 weeks), and unpaid leave — then compare return-to-work childcare costs at 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week.
Free. No login. Takes about 2 minutes.