Maternity leave question.

[Joeve]

But what if I want to work less than my current role - do they have to allow that?

No they don't have to. However legislation came in a couple of years back around flexible work arrangements. Again it's case by case but they need to provide you with a good reason not to allow you more flexible arrangements (most use client commitments as a good reason not sure what kind of work you do.)
Check to see if they have a flexible work policy they probably should and if you ask and they say no- and it only applies to carer of younger than school age children you can speak to fair work Australia.

[peanutter]

I don't think you're generally able to work elsewhere during your leave. Your employer is required to keep your job available for 12 months because you're caring full time for your new baby, and that first year of parental care is seen as a priority and a valuable thing by "the people". It's not just unpaid leave where you can go and do what you like. And your employer obviously doesn't have to give you unpaid leave as a matter of course for you to do as you please, or to go work for somewhere else. Unpaid maternity leave is a statute protected allowance to dedicate a year to your baby.

That's how it was explained to us when DH was considering getting some night filling work to help make ends meet.

Give the ombudsman a bell if you need clarification.

And re flexible hours, yeah they don't have to but it's encouraged for them to have a good to at making it work. I think you're in one of the better industries for that working out.