Long story short, I'm eligible for six weeks paid leave from my part-time job plus the governments paid leave as well. So all up that's 24 weeks paid leave, four to six of which I have to take before bub is born. I'm also eligible for up to 104 weeks unpaid leave through my company.

Basically my question is if I take unpaid leave after my paid leave will I be able to claim some sort of parenting payment from centrelink?? Only for the duration of the unpaid leave of course. I live with my parents and my partner doesn't work as yet so we'd have next to no income if I take unpaid leave. I don't want to rely on my parents to buy baby stuff but I'd also like to take as much time off work as I can.

I'm yet to speak to anyone from centrelink because I'd like to get a general idea of what I may be entitled to first. If anyone can help that would be amazing.

Cheers

You can claim the government parental leave provided you aren't receiving any other form of paid leave, so after your work paid leave has finished and you are on unpaid leave you can claim it.

You can claim it at anytime during the first year after the babies birth but it will cut out as soon as the baby turns one so just claim it at least 18 weeks before that if that makes sense.

Once youhave the baby you should be able to claim Parenting Payment Partnered which is assessed on you and your partner's incomes.Check this link

Also you mention the government paid leave - you can claim PPP while you get paid parental leave as the paid parental leave is not income for PPP purposes.

Give FAO a call on 136150 (or go in to an office). Try calling after 7pm from the other posts on here about wait times.

Sorry to hijack, so you can have the paid government leave at any time in the first year?

So I could take my 14 weeks paid leave from work, plus any annual leave I have at half pay, which would take me through to around 34 weeks, and then have the 18 weeks gov leave?

I think so. When you fill in the forms they ask you if you want the leave paid from birth or another date, so long as it's all taken within a year.

I am taking 32 weeks employer paid leave (16 at half pay) then the government leave when that finishes. I had a letter yesterday from FAO confirming the date in October. Then I finish with 2 weeks of annual leave to see me 52 weeks.

The only thing to think about is whether you'd be better taking paid mat leave, then gov't PPL, then your annual leave? That way if you want to go back a bit earlier you don't lose out on the gov't PPL.

OP, just be aware that parental leave is 104 weeks in total - not paid leave then 104 weeks unpaid on top. Any paid leave you take eats into the 104 weeks.

ETA: OP, sorry didn't actually answer your question, as I have no idea!

You will have to check but if your work has offered you unpaid leave then you are still technically 'employed'

So eg.

You take paid Mat leave from work, then 18 weeks goverment paid leave then unpaid leave portion would be just that - unpaid. I would say that Centerlink would not then go on to pay parenting payment when you have a job you could go back to.

Someone call them.... i really want to know! cos ill be doing just that if its true!!! p.s i would but im in a quiet office... LOL

Yes that's correct. When you make the claim you can pick the date you wish it to be paid from, so say 6 months from when the bub is born. As long as you make the claim within the first year.

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/s...al-leave-scheme

Oh wow that makes me a bit happy, I'll be able to stretch it for almost the full 52 weeks

I usually just take my work leave as a lump sum at the start, but now that its all changed a bit I'm thinking the half pay from work option will be best (also for tax) and then the PPL at that point.

Check out the link I posted. PPP is for looking after children until a certain age (after which you might have particiation requirements) and if you are on unpaid leave from work you should be able to get it if you meet income and asset tests.

Aha yes I did know this, I'll just blame baby brain for my wording! Ideally I'd like to take 18months or so off, so around 75ish weeks total including the paid leave at the start. However if this isn't financially viable I'll just have to deal.

For those wanting to know for sure, I'm actually heading to centrelink mid next week so I'll update with what I learn.