Parental leave

Parental leave allows you to take unpaid time off work to care for your child. In the public health service, parental leave must end when your child turns 16.

How much parental leave you can take

You can take 26 weeks of parental leave for each child. If you have more than 1 child, you cannot take more than 26 weeks in a 12‑month period.

For multiple births, you can take 26 weeks for each child and the 12‑month limit does not apply.

Part‑time employees can take parental leave on a pro-rata basis.

Applying for parental leave

Age of child

Parental leave in the public health service must end when your child turns 16. This applies in all cases, including when a child has a long‑term illness or disability.

Who can apply

Employees who are parents, adoptive parents, or who are acting in loco parentis (acting as a parent to the child) can apply for parental leave.

You usually need to have 1 year’s continuous service with your employer before taking parental leave. If your child is close to the age limit, you may be able to take pro‑rata leave. This gives you 1 week of leave for every month you have worked.

If both parents have the same employer

You can transfer up to 14 of your 26 weeks of parental leave to the other parent if you both work for the same employer. This can only happen if your employer agrees.

How you can take parental leave

You can take parental leave as:

• 1 continuous period of 26 weeks
• 2 periods of at least 6 weeks each, and not more than 26 weeks in total, with a gap of at least 10 weeks between them
• shorter blocks of leave taken as working days, working hours, or a mix of both, if your employer agrees

Protection of employment rights

Your employment rights are protected while on parental leave, except for your right to pay and pension contributions.

You continue to build up annual leave and are entitled to public holidays that fall during your leave.

Periods of probation, training or apprenticeship may be suspended.

Illness during parental leave

If you become ill while on parental leave and cannot care for your child, your leave can be put on hold and treated as sick leave. You must give your manager a doctor’s certificate. Your parental leave will resume after your illness.

Postponing parental leave

Your employer can postpone your parental leave if your absence would impact the service. They must explain the reason for the postponement. The leave can be postponed for up to 6 months. It cannot be postponed more than once.

Requesting changes to working hours or patterns

If you're returning from parental leave, you may request temporary changes to your working hours or patterns.

Your employer must reply in writing and will consider your needs and the needs of the service. They do not have to approve the request.

Flexible Working Application Form HR 111 (PDF, 59 KB, 3 pages)

Applying for parental leave

You must tell your manager at least 6 weeks before you plan to take parental leave.

Complete the Parental Leave Application Form HR108j (PDF, 54 KB, 3 pages).

Your manager may ask for:

• evidence of your child's date of birth
• confirmation that you are a relevant parent
• evidence of the child's disability if this applies

You and your manager must complete a parental leave confirmation document, which is part of the application form. It confirms the start date, length of leave, and how the leave will be taken.

You must complete it with your manager at least 4 weeks before the leave begins, and both of you must sign it. You can change your mind before signing. Tell your manager in writing if you want to cancel or change your request.

Related content

Parental Leave Amendment Act 2019 (HR Circular 017 2019)

Change to Parental Leave Age Limit in the Public Health Sector (HR Circular 023 2023)

Extension of Parental Leave Entitlement - Memo (PDF, 547 KB, 2 pages)

Related topics

Parent's leave

Shorter Working Year Scheme