I'm in QLD but took a years maternity leave with 12wks paid and got paid on the Christmas holidays, I at least got my holiday loading can't remember if I got paid the whole time but it ended up being about $4000?? I remember because I rang as I thought there was a problem.

As for going back - I went back to work when my son was 18mths old and again when my daughter was 9mth and DS 5yo. When I just had my son it wasn't too bad but I often found I didn't have the same amount of time to dedicate to planning, reports etc other did and found that quite stressful. This time round with two I went back part-time but found this was harder as when I wasn't at school I was consumed with 'home' things and just didn't have enough time to do school stuff. I have resigned my permanent position and I am going back to relief teaching next year as there is no planning, reports and I can pick up my son after school without having to pay a fortune in daycare and afterschool care.