If your workplace offers a company paid parental leave scheme, would an employee also be eligible to receive any government provided parental leave payments?

No - A person absent on company paid parental leave would not eligible to the Dad and Partner payment under the government parental leave scheme.

For an employee to be eligible for the two weeks’ Dad and Partner Pay under the government scheme, the employee must not be working during this time and/or must be on unpaid leave. Under this scheme, eligible working dads and partners (including same-sex partners) can receive 2 weeks leave paid at the national minimum wage.

It is important to note however that Dad and Partner Pay is different from the 18 week Paid Parental Leave payment which is payable to the primary caregiver of the child. An employee who is eligible to receive the Parental Leave Pay from the Australian Government would still be entitled to any additional period of paid parental leave which is provided by their employer.

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