PPL question?

i know this kind of question has been asked before but i cant findmuch on my situation, i have a few questions..
all hypothetical of course, for future reference
~is there a minimum you have to earn to be entitled?
~does it go off the last 12 months or the last financial year?
~ I did the estimator online, a couple of times, put in 2 different amounts (a little more than i think i would earn and a little less) when i put in the less amount i also put that i would return to work 6 months later (with the first one i put in that i would only take 6 months off, with the 2nd i put in 12 months) and the one that i put in less amount but more time said more $$??
~also the amount that is gives you

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Based on the information you have provided, your family will receive a total of approximately $$$ more by taking Paid Parental Leave.

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what exactly does this mean?
~when it says 18 weeks.. is that 18 actual weeks? or fortnights like how they usually pay you?
~does it go off what you AND your DH earn?

thanks for your help, there may be more questions to come.. so bare with me x

I'll help where I can which probably won't be much as I've only just started looking into this..

ETA: Sorry the quotes are messed up, I'm on my phone..

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i know this kind of question has been asked before but i cant findmuch on my situation, i have a few questions..
all hypothetical of course, for future reference
~is there a minimum you have to earn to be entitled?
~does it go off the last 12 months or the last financial year?

There's no minimum income as long as you've worked a day or more per week for 10 of the 13 months before baby is born you're entitled to PPL.


~ I did the estimator online, a couple of times, put in 2 different amounts (a little more than i think i would earn and a little less) when i put in the less amount i also put that i would return to work 6 months later (with the first one i put in that i would only take 6 months off, with the 2nd i put in 12 months) and the one that i put in less amount but more time said more $$??
~also the amount that is gives you

:

---

Based on the information you have provided, your family will receive a total of approximately $$$ more by taking Paid Parental Leave.

---

what exactly does this mean?

That is saying you'll recieve more by taking the PPL over the baby bonus


~when it says 18 weeks.. is that 18 actual weeks? or fortnights like how they usually pay you?

It is 18 weeks but you'd be paid fortnightly (so 9 fortnights).

~does it go off what you AND your DH earn?

For PPL I think it's just the main carer.

thanks for your help, there may be more questions to come.. so bare with me x

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Regarding the payment schedule, if you are paid by your work you are paid on your work schedule.
So if work pays you fortnightly you would get paid fortnightly, weekly monthly etc.

~is there a minimum you have to earn to be entitled?
no, not a minimum dollar amount, but there is a minimum number of hours you have to have worked in the 13 months before EDD (330 from memory), you can't have exceeded 8 weeks between days of work (so if you take a period of leave, it cannot exceed 8 weeks between the last day you work before leave and the first day after. also means you can't finish up more than 8 weeks before EDD unless it's under medical instruction due to complications of the pregnancy - and then you'd have to show proof from OB/GP)

~does it go off the last 12 months or the last financial year?
bit of everything
previous financial year is used to assess eligibilty (income limits for upper end of scale to make sure you still qualify)
current financial year details are used to compare the PPL/BBY

~ I did the estimator online, a couple of times, put in 2 different amounts (a little more than i think i would earn and a little less) when i put in the less amount i also put that i would return to work 6 months later (with the first one i put in that i would only take 6 months off, with the 2nd i put in 12 months) and the one that i put in less amount but more time said more $$??
this doesn't necessarily sound wrong. if you are taking a longer period of time off work, you will have a lower income, which will give you a lower tax liability and higher eligibility for ftb.

~also the amount that is gives you what exactly does this mean?
it takes into account everything that is listed on the estimator and tells you which option will leave you with the most cash in hand over the course of the year/s (in short, taxable income from employment, taxable ppl, ftb over the financial years - depending on when you collect PPL and whether it covers one or two financial years)

~when it says 18 weeks.. is that 18 actual weeks? or fortnights like how they usually pay you?
PPL is paid by your employer so is paid on the same frequency as your employer pays (could be weekly, fortnightly or monthly). if you are self employed or you've not been with your employer long term/resigned on taking mat leave, and the payment is delivered by fao, it is paid in fortnightly installments, with 15% withheld for tax (unless you opt for a higher amount)

~does it go off what you AND your DH earn?
the calculation takes into account both your incomes. PPL is assessed based just on your circumstances, but ftb is based on both of you, so when calculating which option will actually give you more cash in your pocket, your partners details are required. for some people their partner income being added to their taxable income and ppl may actually mean they end up better off with the non-taxable baby bonus, hence being asked to provide all that info

thanks girls :)
its a lot clearer now :)

Thanks for posting, was thinking about this myself.

BG - Can you please advise when you need to lodge the forms by? I have been told prior to baby being born or by a certain date after baby is born otherwise you won't be paid the full 18 weeks & they don't back pay - is this true??

you can lodge the claim up to 3months before EDD
you have to have claimed for payment to have started by the time baby is 34 weeks as all 18 weeks must be paid before baby turns 1. if you intend to return to work earlier, you have to have the payment start earlier as it can't be paid once you go to work

Thanks for clarifying this BG. I had a friend who had a premmie bubs and given she has been at the hospital all the time, she hasn't had time to do the paperwork and was scared she'd lose payments if she didn't lodge ASAP.