Extra money for new parents

Today’s decision to increase the National Minimum Wage is good news for Australian parents planning to get Paid Parental Leave from 1 July this year.

The boost to families comes six months after the start of Australia’s first Paid Parental Leave scheme.

Fair Work Australia today decided to raise the National Minimum Wage by $19.40 a week. This means the weekly rate of Paid Parental Leave will increase from $570 to $589.40 a week from 1 July.

Parents who receive some or all of their parental leave pay from 1 July 2011 are set to benefit from the wage boost.

Australian families are embracing Paid Parental Leave. It provides new parents with up to 18 weeks financial support to help them stay at home and care for their baby full-time during the vital early months following the birth or adoption.

More than 59,000 new and expecting parents have applied for Parental Leave Pay since it began on 1 January this year.

Of these, more than 3,000 parents have already benefited from the extra financial support Paid Parental Leave brings to families with new babies.

Currently more than 28,000 parents are receiving parental leave pay.

In addition, more than 21,000 parents have had their claim approved and are awaiting the birth of their child or their chosen start date.

Parents can find out more by visiting the Family Assistance Office at http://www.familyassist.gov.au/ or calling 13 6150.