If youre a permanent empoyee (ie, not a casual) you will still get your 52 weeks leave. I think if you were part time before you went on leave and you get paid leave, then you get paid at your part time rate. I could be wrong. Maybe it depends on why you had to change to part time? Do you have an HR / payroll department that you can discuss it with? My understanding was that if you got pad maternity leave as part of you employment conditions, then it doesnt matter whether or not you actualy return to work. Maybe you should check with them exactly what the "intent to return to work" form means. Maybe sure it doesnt mean they will ask you to pay back the money if you dont. I dont knowif theyre allowed to do that, but some worplaces can be dodgy. I never had to sign any form like that. All I did was write a letter telling them when I wanted to start and finish my leave. Maybe the form has something to do with how they will cover your position while youre on leave. Because if youre resigning, they can just get another permanent employee, but if youre going on leave for, say, 12 months, then they will have to tell the replacement that its just for 12 months. iykwim?