Paid parental leave helps thousands more

Almost 11,000 single parents are expected to access the expanded Paid Parental Leave scheme, new figures released by the Department of Social Services show.

Figures show 4300 additional parents will qualify under the new arrangements, while 10,800 single parents will also be eligible.

Almost 11,000 single parents are expected to access the expanded Paid Parental Leave scheme, new figures released by the Department of Social Services show.

And an additional 4300 parents previously not eligible for the scheme – chiefly due to income thresholds and barriers preventing men from using the leave – will now have access under Labor’s ­reforms.

The government last week set aside $530m over four years in the budget to fund the expansion of the scheme from 20 to 26 weeks, to which men and women will be given equal access.

And figures today show 4300 additional parents will qualify under the new arrangements, while 10,800 single parents will also be eligible.

Social Services Minister ­Amanda Rishworth said the scheme was aimed at giving ­Australians “greater choice”.

“It helps people to manage cost-of-living pressures and plan for their future by offering security and flexibility for the precious early years,” Ms Rishworth said.

“Increasing Paid Parental Leave was one of the most ­frequent proposals raised to boost workforce participation at the Jobs and Skills Summit in September.

“I’m proud to be part of a ­government that is helping ­Australians spend more time with their children and help ease cost-of-living pressures.”

About 180,000 parents currently access Paid Parental Leave, with the extra six weeks added to the scheme by Labor expected to increase support to families by around $5000.

While the changes are being welcomed by peak bodies, the Australian Council of Trade ­Unions has called for the scheme to be ramped up to 52 weeks by the end of the decade. It has also called for Paid ­Parental Leave to be lifted from minimum wage “to a full ­replacement wage including superannuation”, which it said would help close the gender pay and super gaps.