sorry JM, this isn't the case - if the mother returns to work, the PPL entitlement stops on the day she returns to work.

it can be paid to the other parent/carer but only in limited circumstances (like the father becomes primary carer at birth because mum is sick etc) or can be paid in dad's name but ONLY if mum continues to remain eligible for it.
The example provided on the Centrelink website makes it seem as if you can do this...

"Simone has been a nurse for seven years, earning around $60,000 a year. Her partner, Craig, has been a labourer for nine years, earning about $30,000 a year. Simone and Craig have their first baby, Isaac, on 1 August 2012.

Simone takes four weeks recreation leave prior to the birth. She also is entitled to six weeks paid maternity leave from her employer and she takes this from the date of birth. Simone is eligible for the Paid Parental Leave scheme and decides to take her 18 weeks of Parental Leave Pay after her paid maternity leave is finished, starting six weeks after Isaac is born.

At 15 weeks after Isaac’s birth, Simone has the opportunity to accept a promotion to a nursing position with an annual salary of $70,000. Craig and Simone decide it would be better if Craig took unpaid leave to care for Isaac and Simone returns to full-time work. Simone has received nine weeks of Parental Leave Pay at this stage.

Craig is eligible for the Paid Parental Leave scheme and Simone is able to transfer her unused Parental Leave Pay to him. He receives the remaining nine weeks of Parental Leave Pay and uses unpaid leave to look after Isaac until he is one year old."

Just noticed that the page hasn't been updated since October 2010 - so I'm guessing this example is out of date...?