The information below is an overview of parental leave entitlements and arrangements. Full details of parental leave can be located in the Parental Leave Guidelines and in the relevant Enterprise Agreement.
Staff may also wish to refer to the work life balance webpages for information about flexible employment options and other support provided by UTS to assist staff to achieve a work life balance
Eligibility and entitlement
All staff employed on a continuing or fixed-term basis may be eligible for parental leave after completing 40 weeks continuous service, excluding leave without pay. Casual staff may be eligible for unpaid parental leave after 12 months service.
The Parental Leave Guidelines outline the eligibility and entitlement of parental leave for staff for:
• Paid maternity and adoption leave (including return to work support)
• Paid partner’s leave
• Paid foster parent’s leave
• Unpaid parental leave
Applying for parental leave
You should give as much notice as possible to your supervisor of your intention to take parental leave. Apply for parental leave by submitting a Parental Leave form to your supervisor and forward to Staff Services once approved.
To apply for return to work support, complete the Parental Leave Return to Work Support form and submit to your supervisor preferably one month prior to your return to duty following parental leave.
Academic staff who are research active and wish to maintain the momentum of their research during parental leave may wish to apply for research support under the Funding for Research during Parental Leave Guidelines
The Federal Government’s Paid Parental Leave Scheme
Parental Leave Pay
The Federal Government’s Parental Leave Pay provides a payment at the rate of the National Minimum Wage normally made via an employer to eligible working parents or carers for up to 18 weeks for babies born or adopted. If you wish to receive Parental Leave Pay you must apply to the Department of Human Services (DHS).
Eligibility for the government funded payments will be decided by the DHS and differs to eligibility for UTS Parental Leave - some casual staff (who meet the Government’s work test) may be eligible. You should seek advice from the DHS as to your eligibility.
Payments of parental leave pay will be made in the twelve month period following the baby’s birth or adoption.
You must still apply for UTS Parental Leave in the normal manner. Staff who are eligible for paid UTS Parental Leave may receive the Government’s parental leave pay in addition to any UTS parental leave payment. The Government’s payments do not attract any entitlements and are not considered for leave accrual, workers compensation or superannuation. The payments are subject to tax.
The Government’s parental leave pay may be paid before, after, or at the same time as UTS paid and unpaid parental leave. UTS recommends you seek financial assistance to determine the most financially beneficial combination of leave for your circumstances.
You cannot work whilst receiving the Government’s parental leave pay but may participate in workplace activities such as training or meetings for up to 10 days for the purposes of ‘keeping in touch’.
For further information and to apply for Government’s parental leave pay contact the Department of Human Services
Dads and Partners Pay (applies from 1 January 2013)
Dad and Partner Pay is for eligible working dads or partners (including adopting parents and same-sex couples) and they may get up to two weeks pay at the rate of the National Minimum Wage. Payments of dads and partners pay will be made in the twelve month period following the baby’s birth or adoption.
Eligibility for the government funded payments will be decided by the DHS and differs to eligibility for UTS Partner’s Leave - some casual staff (who meet the Government’s work test) may be eligible. Dads and partners must be on unpaid leave from work or not be working to be eligible. You should seek advice from the DHS as to your eligibility.
The Government dads and partners leave does not affect UTS paid Partner’s leave.
For further information and to apply for Government’s Dads and Partners Leave contact the Department of Human Services
