For individuals & families: As a parent
Paid parental leave
What is paid parental leave?
Paid parental leave is a government-funded entitlement paid to eligible working mothers and adoptive parents when they take parental leave from their job(s) to care for their newborn or adopted child (under the age of six). These payments go towards the loss of income that working mothers and adoptive parents experience when they take parental leave from work to care for a new baby or adopted child.
Paid parental leave payments equal your normal pay (before tax) if you're an employee, or your average weekly earnings if you're self-employed, up to a current maximum of $407.36 a week before tax. If you're self-employed and make a loss or earn less than the minimum wage, for at least 10 hours work a week, the payment is $120.00 per week before tax (this is equivalent to 10 hours per week at the current minimum wage rate).
You can receive paid parental leave for a maximum of 14 weeks. You can transfer your paid parental leave to your spouse or partner, as long as they also qualify for paid parental leave from their employer or self-employment.
Inland Revenue will pay parental leave payments directly into your bank account each fortnight. The payments will be treated as income, just like your normal salary and wages or self-employed income. Paid parental leave payments have tax and student loan deductions taken out (at whatever rate applies to you). It will not have earners' levy deducted from it.
For more information and how to apply
For more information about paid parental leave, to find out if you're eligible and how to apply, visit the Employment Relations Service (ERS) section of the Department of Labour website (see "Related websites") or call the Department of Labour on 0800 20 90 20.
Other pages in: As a parent
- Common questions and answers about child support for paying parents
- Tax credits (formerly rebates) for working parents
- Common questions and answers on Working for Families Tax Credits
- What are Working for Families Tax Credits?
- Nominate someone to act on your behalf
- Common questions and answers about child support for custodians
- Young children
- Parental tax credit
Date published: 04 Jul 2008
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