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  3. Parental leave
  1. Leave and holidays

Parental leave

Employees may be able to take leave from work to care for their new child.

Leave and holidays
  • Public holidays
  • Annual holidays
  • Sick leave
  • Bereavement leave
  • Parental leave
    • Managing parental leave as an employer
    • Taking parental leave
    • Types of parental leave
    • If you’re self-employed
  • Family violence leave
  • Jury service leave
  • Employment Relations Education leave
  • Time off to vote
  • Defence force volunteers
  • Other types of leave
  • Managing parental leave as an employer

    As an employer, you need to know your parental leave obligations, how to support employees taking parental leave – and how to manage the impacts to your business while you have employees on parental leave.

    • When an employee requests parental leave
    • Parental leave in your workplace policies
    • Covering parental leave and employees returning to work
  • Taking parental leave

    If you’re having a baby or becoming the primary carer of a child under the age of 6, and you meet the work requirements, you can take unpaid parental leave from your job. You may also be able to get parental leave payments from the government.

    • Guide for employees
    • Requesting parental leave
    • What happens while on parental leave and your return
  • Types of parental leave

    There are 4 main types of parental leave — primary carer leave, partner’s leave, extended leave, and negotiated carer leave. The type an employee can take will depend on their circumstances.

    • Primary carer leave
    • Partner's leave
    • Extended leave
    • Negotiated carer leave
  • If you’re self-employed

    New parents who are self-employed (including contractors) are eligible for parental leave payments if they meet the requirements – but they do not qualify for parental leave entitlements.

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