Until June 30 this year, your employer has the choice as to whether they will pay the parental leave ($570/week) and get reimbursed by the government or whether the government will pay it directly to you. After July 1 if you are currently employed when you claim the paid leave the employer must pay you and get reimbursed by the government.
If you are self employed or have ceased working prior to applying for the leave and are still eligible the government will pay you directly through centrelink. You can lodge your claim for eligibility at any time up until the baby is one but payments will stop once the child turns one, regardless of how many weeks you have claimed. For example, if you start getting the PPL when your child is 50 week, you will only get two weeks of payments. If you claim when the child is three weeks, you will be able to get the full 18 weeks.
The amount is based on current minimum wages and is subject to tax. However, you do not receive superannuation payments on it. You can transfer it between parents. For example, if I were to claim it for the child first ten weeks and then return to work while my husband stays home with bub as primary caregiver, he can claim the remaining 8 weeks.
Also, if your employer already pays a level of parental leave it is in addition to the government PPL. The Government PPL does not replace what an employer has. Check the policy though because an employer may have worded the policy that govt PPL makes up part of the payment they are making to you.
My friend got PPL and she was paid directly by the government. You can't receive baby bonus and PPL, you can only have one. Also I think you need to have proof of employment for 10 months prior to giving birth.
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