The FisCalc
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Parental Leave
Calculator

Calculate your total parental leave income—government paid parental leave (22 weeks), employer top-up, and super contributions on leave for FY 2025-26.Rates current as at 1 July 2025 · ATO FY2025–26

Total Paid Leave
34 weeks
Total Income
$42,071
Super Contributions
$5,048
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// YOUR_DETAILS

= $1,826.92/week
= $1,538.46/week
3 months
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// LEAVE_STRUCTURE

22 weeks @ $915.8/week (National Minimum Wage)
100%
Periods are sequential — check your enterprise agreement
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// PARTNER_LEAVE

Your data stays on your device — nothing is stored or sent.

Leave Timeline

Employer Leave
Govt PPL
Total Duration:34 weeks

Income Breakdown

PeriodWeeksGrossSuperTaxNet
Employer Paid Leave12$21,923$2,631$7$21,916
Government Paid Parental Leave22$20,148$2,418$0$20,148
TOTAL34$42,071$5,048$7$42,063
Total Gross Income
$42,071
During 34 paid weeks
Super Contributions
$5,048
12% SG on paid leave
Income Replacement
68%
Avg weekly vs normal salary
📈

Super on Government PPL (from 1 July 2025)

The government now pays 12% superannuation contributions on top of Paid Parental Leave. This adds $2,418 to your super during the 22-week PPL period—a significant new benefit.

This boosts your retirement savings while you're off work caring for your baby.

Back-to-Work Planning

Total Leave Duration34 weeks
Estimated Return Date22 May 2027

Remember to:

  • Plan your annual leave (typically 4 weeks/year)
  • Check long service leave (LSL) accumulation
  • Discuss flexible work arrangements with your employer
  • Review childcare options and costs
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Eligibility & Disclaimer

Government PPL is paid at the National Minimum Wage rate and is available to primary carers who meet the income and work tests:

  • Combined family income must be under $350,000
  • Individual earned $168,865 or less in the financial year
  • Work and residency requirements apply

Check Services Australia for full eligibility details.

Important: This calculator is based on FY 2025-26 rules. Government PPL rates, super on PPL, and eligibility rules may change. Employer parental leave varies significantly—check your enterprise agreement or employment contract. This is not financial or legal advice.

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Total net parental leave income: $42,063
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Understanding Parental Leave in Australia

Parental leave in Australia is funded through two parallel systems that can often be combined: the government-funded Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme administered by Services Australia, and employer-provided parental leave entitlements under enterprise agreements, awards, or company policy. Understanding how these interact — including which one pays first and whether they can overlap — is essential for financial planning before and during leave.

Government Paid Parental Leave — the 2025 expanded scheme

From 1 July 2025, eligible parents can access up to 22 weeks of government PPL (up from 20 weeks). PPL is paid at the national minimum wage — $183.16/day ($915.80/week) for FY2025–26 — and is taxable income. Eligibility requires the primary carer to have worked for the same employer for at least 12 months before the expected date of birth, earned less than $168,865 in the previous financial year, and be on leave or not working during the PPL period. From July 2025, a landmark legislative change now requires superannuation to be paid on government PPL at the standard employer SG rate — previously, no super was payable on the government scheme.

Employer top-up and the interaction with government PPL

Many larger employers provide additional paid leave on top of the government scheme — commonly 6–18 weeks at full or partial pay under an enterprise agreement. How this interacts with the government scheme varies: some employers require employees to take government PPL first and then access employer top-up pay; others provide a "top-up" so total income during leave matches full salary; some provide a lump-sum payment at the end of the PPL period. Check your enterprise agreement or employment contract carefully for whether government PPL is deducted from your employer entitlement or whether it is truly additional.

Can both parents claim PPL at the same time?
Under the 2025 PPL scheme, up to 4 weeks of the 22-week entitlement can be taken concurrently by both parents (the "Dad and Partner Pay" element has been integrated into the main PPL pool). The remaining weeks must be taken by one parent at a time. To maximise household income during leave, many couples structure leave so the higher-earning partner's employer top-up (if available) is taken concurrently with the other partner's PPL period. The exact sequencing should be modelled for your specific employer arrangements.
Is government PPL taxable?
Yes. Government PPL is taxable income and is included in your assessable income for the financial year in which it is received. Tax is withheld by Services Australia at a flat rate when payments are made. However, the amount withheld may not match your actual marginal rate at tax time — if you received PPL in a year when you also had significant employment income, you may have an additional tax liability when you lodge your return. Conversely, if you received PPL in a year with very little other income, you may receive a tax refund. Plan accordingly for your tax return.
Does my employer have to keep my job while I'm on parental leave?
Yes. Under the National Employment Standards, an employee on unpaid parental leave has the right to return to their pre-leave position. If that role no longer exists due to a genuine restructure, the employer must offer a comparable position in terms of pay, status, and location. The right of return applies to up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave. An employer cannot terminate an employee's employment simply because they took parental leave — this is prohibited under the Fair Work Act and attracts significant penalties. The general protection provisions also prohibit adverse action against employees for exercising parental leave rights.
How does parental leave affect my super balance?
Prior to July 2025, no super was payable on government PPL, leaving a gap in many parents' super balances. From July 2025, super is payable on PPL at the standard SG rate (11.5% rising to 12%). Employer top-up pay has always attracted the SG contribution if structured as salary. Unpaid parental leave — periods after PPL and employer leave are exhausted — attracts no super contributions from any source. For parents taking extended unpaid leave, this gap can be addressed through voluntary personal contributions when you return to work, potentially using the carry-forward provisions if your total super balance is below $500,000.

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// CHILDREN_COST

Plan the full financial picture of raising children — from pregnancy through secondary school.

Children's Cost Calculator →
General information only. PPL rates, eligibility, and superannuation provisions are updated regularly by the government. Verify current rates and entitlements with Services Australia (servicesaustralia.gov.au) before making financial plans. This is not legal or financial advice.

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