Yeah you can get adoption leave. Not sure exactly how it all works but it does exist.
My company doesnt give out paid maternity leave and theyre really really narky about having you back part time after maternity leave. I groaned about and made a big fuss over it and they eventually let me have my same job back, but on a part time basis. I get really frustrated when friends of mine complain that they "only got 14 weeks of paid maternity leave" and I'm just thinking um thats more than what most people get - you should count yourself lucky!
Yes there is adoption leave but it is also unpaid leave and can be taken by either parent.
Australia is one of only 2 OECD countries (with the USA) that does not provide any paid form of maternity leave. Yes, it is incredibly backward and the Baby Bonus was supposed to go someway to redressing the situation but it's not really the same thing.
I'm also from the UK. Whilst companies don't have to pay maternity leave, all permanent residents are entitled to a 'Baby Bonus' which is a lump sum from the government. Financially, this may actually work out the same as the maternity pay many women would receive in the UK.
just want to correct the "every family" comment about the baby bonus - income thresholds were introduced as of July 1 - if the family get an income greater than 7'5k in the first 6 months post baby being born, you get nothing baby bonus wise
eligibility for payment of baby bonus or family tax benefit is based on residential status - you would need to provide details of your visa subclass details to check whether you're entitled to it - but definitely look to apply. if Freyja was born o/s, i would say you've got buckley's chance of getting the baby bonus for her as you weren't Au residents at the time. but definitely call family assistance 136150 during the week to discuss your eligibility to Family Tax Benefit - you'll need at least half hour spare to make the call, and you'll need to provide a heap of information:
- tax file numbers for self and partner
- visa - date of issue and visa subclass code
- date of arrival in Australia (for Freyja as well as self and ptr)
- estimate of incomes for yourself and partner - this will be broken up into taxable income in Au from 010708-300609, taxable income overseas (including your maternity payment) for same dates, partners taxable income overseas for same dates
you'll be sent a form to confirm the details, and will then need to return that to centrelink or medicare along with Freyja's birth certificate, your passports showing arrival in Australia, and your visa's.
Yes I work for a company that pays 3 months full paid maternity leave
they request that you leave 6 weeks prior to the baby EDD
but if you wish to work closer you need to provide med certs to state you are fit to do so
I started the job in Feb this year and I wont be entitled to PAID maternity leave unless I work up to the date I started in 08 which was 11th of Feb. I will have about 3 weeks to go before the EDD, (thats if the bub doesnt make a surprise early entrance to the world!) Then I wont get any paid leave.
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