The government-funded Paid Parental Leave scheme provides financial support for parents to take up to 18 weeks off work following the birth or adoption of a child, with pay at the National Minimum Wage. From 1 January 2013 the scheme was expanded to include Dad and Partner Pay, which provides eligible working dads or partners with up to two weeks of pay at the National Minimum Wage.

Employers receive funds from the Department of Human Services and pay eligible employees in the same way they would normally pay salary or wages.