Dad and Partner Pay (For Employers)

Dad and Partner Pay provides eligible dads or partners with financial support to be able to take time off work to bond with their baby and to support mums or partners in the vital early months of their baby’s life.

Dad and Partner Pay is a new payment under the Australian Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme. It is now available to eligible working dads or partners who care for a child born or adopted from 1 January 2013. It provides eligible working dads or partners (including adopting parents and same-sex couples) with up to two weeks of government-funded pay at the National Minimum Wage (currently about $606 per week before tax).

Dad and Partner Pay is funded by the Australian Government. Employers do not have an administrative role and it will be paid directly by the Australian Government.

You and your employee will need to discuss and agree on unpaid leave arrangements and your employee will have to apply for Dad and Partner Pay themselves.

Eligible dads or partners must:

• be caring for a child born or adopted from 1 January 2013;
• be an Australian resident;
• have worked for at least 10 of the 13 months prior to the start date of their Dad and Partner Pay period;
• have worked for at least 330 hours in that 10 month period (just over one day a week), with no more than an eight week gap between two consecutive working days
• have an individual adjusted taxable income of $150,000 or less in the previous financial year; and
• not be receiving paid leave or not working during the Dad and Partner Pay period.

Dad and Partner Pay can be taken any time in the first year after birth or adoption.

In addition to Dad and Partner Pay, families may be eligible for other family assistance such as Paid Parental Leave or Baby Bonus and Family Tax Benefit.

For more information call the Business hotline on 131 158.