Miss Excited the government's paid maternity leave is not set in concrete - they're still talking about it unfrotunately.

*what your work offers - I get 14 weeks full or 28weeks at half pay
*how long you have to be with you company to qualify - 12 months
*what kind on industry you work in - I'm with the cops
*how many days holiday you get per year - 6 weeks usually but we work out west so get an extra week
*Government - what financial support do they provide - baby bonus as PP said, but I had to fight tooth and nail to get mine. We don't get any other governemnt subsidy either.

Having your baby in a public hospital doesn't cost you a thing, but if you want private anything or a doula or a homebirth the $$ really start to add up.