Gov't Paid Maternity Leave Question.

I have been reading through all the info on the CL website but Im still a bit confused (can I claim baby brain??)

I work 2 days a week and have been for the past 18 months back at my old job.

We currently get a small payment from CL and get a top up at the end of the year as we always over estimate.

Bub #2 is due mid March.

I will register on line in the next few weeks as you can do it 3 months in advance.

Do I qualify for the paid matt leave??

I think that I tick all the boxes but ppl keep telling me different things!

Also the paid matt leave would be more than I am currently earning working my 2 days - if you are eligable do you get the full amoutn or do you only get the sae amount as what I am earning now??

Hope that makes some sense??

TIA
Kate

I think you get the whole lot regardless, provided you have worked x number of hours in the preceeding months (which you would if you worked more than 8 hours per week.) My friend told me this, so maybe someone more knowlegdeable will tell you more accurately than me!

Thanks Joeve!

You'll get the whole amount, less tax. It sounds like you'll be eligible. My understanding is you need to have worked 330 hours over at least 10 months in the last 13 months.

as long as you qualify you get the whole lot

you need to have worked 10 of the 13months prior to edd, at least 10 hours a week (*from memory), at least 330 hours worked in that time, no more than 9 weeks between work days in that time

i havent had full training but this is the gist


this is the clearest web reference i can find
Family Assistance Office | Working Parents Eligibility

I work 16 hrs a week atm. I started at 12 hrs a week for 12 months then went to 16 hrs a week for the last 6 months...

Cool thanks BG. I understood that one a lot better!

I guess im going to find out in a few weeks when I register!! Even though I am going to register early (like they recomend) the payments would only start after the bub is born right??

yep
it's all pre-approved and sits pending on your file awaiting proof of birth

There's some good information of the Centrelink website about the Paid Parental Leave eligibility and the work test. I've pasted a couple of paragraphs here that I think might help you but you can find all of it at Paid Parental Leave scheme eligibility

You may be eligible for Parental Leave Pay if you:

• are the primary carer of a newborn child or the initial primary carer of a recently adopted child
• are an Australian resident
• have met the Paid Parental Leave scheme work test before the birth or adoption occurs,
• have received an individual adjusted taxable income of $150,000 or less in the previous financial year, and
• are on leave or not working from the time you become the child’s primary carer.

The birth mother or the initial primary carer of an adopted child must make the claim for Parental Leave Pay, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

WORK TEST
To meet the Paid Parental Leave scheme work test you must have:

• worked for at least 10 of the 13 months prior to the birth or adoption of your child
• worked for at least 330 hours in that 10 month period (just over one day a week) with no more than an eight week gap between two consecutive working days.

A working day is a day you have worked for at least one hour.
There are some exceptions to the work test if you cannot meet it due to pregnancy complications and/or premature birth.
You do not need to be working full-time to be eligible for Parental Leave Pay. You may meet the work test even if you:

• are a part-time, casual or seasonal worker
• are a contractor or self-employed
• work in a family business such as a farm
• have multiple employers, or
• have recently changed jobs.

If you work for a family business (such as a farm), you can include your hours of work even if the business is not generating any income, providing you are undertaking the work for financial gain or benefit.

This might help you get a better idea of whether you'd be eligible or not.