Eligible parents can now access up to 26 weeks of government-backed leave
Tasmanian families welcoming a new baby can now access six months of paid parental leave.
The scheme expanded to 26 weeks from July 1, up from 24 weeks, in the final stage of a staged expansion.
The federal government says families claiming the full entitlement will receive almost $30,000.
Parents also receive a higher weekly rate of $1,004.70. Income limits have risen too, with the individual limit now $186,487 and the family limit $386,525, so more families qualify.
Federal assistant women minister Rebecca White said the change would help families when it mattered most.
“Labor’s latest increase to paid parental leave will make a real difference for families at the most important time,” she said.
“They mean new parents can spend less time worrying about how to pay the bills and more time with their new baby.”
White said the federal government had added more flexibility so parents could share the leave in ways that worked for them.
“This will help both parents take time off with their new baby,” she said.
Hobart mum Lonnie Bevis welcomed the change.
“In five years, it’s gone from 17 weeks and now up from 22 to 26 weeks for mothers is just amazing,” she said.
