Parental Leave fact sheet

What is Parental Leave?

Parental Leave is an entitlement available to University employees who are having a baby, or are adopting or fostering a child (up to five years of age).

Eligibility for Parental Leave

All continuing, continuing (contingent funded), and fixed term staff are entitled to paid parental leave provided that they have 12 months’ continuous service with the University as at the commencement of leave (for birth related leave), or the as at the date of birth or placement of the child (for partner or placement related leave).  

If you are a staff member with less than 12 months service, the Human Resources Division will work with you to develop a leave plan to suit your individual circumstances.

Parental Leave categories

Parental Leave (birth-related): Following the birth of a child, eligible staff can access up to 26 weeks paid leave.

Parental Leave (placement-related): Following adoption, permanent foster care or guardianship, eligible staff can access up to 26 weeks paid leave.

Primary Carer Partner Leave: Where a staff member’s partner gives birth, or the staff member becomes one of two adoptive or foster parents, or legal guardians; and the staff member becomes the primary carer of that child, the staff member can access up to 26 weeks paid leave. The staff member’s partner does not need to be an ANU employee for a staff member to access primary carer partner leave.

Partner Leave (supporting): Where a staff member’s partner gives birth, or the staff member becomes one of two adoptive or foster parents, or legal guardians; and the staff member is not the primary carer of that child, the staff member can access 15 days paid leave.

Parental Leave commencement

Parental Leave (birth-related) a staff member is expected to commence leave six weeks prior to the baby’s expected date of birth. Requests to commence leave at a later date can be accommodated and must be supported with medical clearance.

Parental Leave (placement-related) normally commences from the date the child is placed with the parents. An earlier commencement is possible where the staff member needs to prepare for the placement of the child.

Primary Carer Partner Leave commences from the date the staff member takes on primary care of the child. This leave must be utilised in full prior to the child’s first birthday.

Partner Leave (supporting) can be taken at any time within 12 months from the birth or placement of the child. The staff member can choose to access this leave in the way that best supports their individual circumstances, for example: a single block of time or individual days across a period of time.

What does primary carer mean?

Primary carer means the person who has the dedicated responsibility for the day-to-day care of the child, and who physically cares for the child on a daily basis. For the purposes of paid parental leave, there can only be one primary carer for a child at any one time.

What if both parents are ANU staff members?

To ensure consistency and fairness across all ANU staff members, the maximum portion of paid parental leave for an individual staff member is 26 weeks, irrespective of whether one or both parents are ANU staff members.

What notice and information is required?

Wherever possible, the University asks staff to provide at least 10 weeks’ notice of their intention to take paid parental leave.

A completed leave form detailing the intended leave arrangements, and confirmation of primary care responsibilities is required for all types of parental leave.

Supporting documentation

Parental Leave (birth-related): Confirmation of pregnancy medical certificate.

Parental Leave (placement-related): Copy of placement papers from relevant placement agency.

Primary Carer Parental Leave: Copy of the birth certificate.

Partner Leave (supporting): Confirmation of pregnancy medical certificate, or birth certificate. 

Maximising leave arrangements

The University is dedicated to providing staff with flexibility to support the needs of their family. The University encourages staff to use annual or long service leave entitlements, alongside their parental leave if this suits their circumstances.

Although not an ANU requirement, under legislation other forms of paid leave cannot be used in the first 12 weeks post birth, regardless of whether the parental leave is paid or unpaid.

Returning to work

Staff return to work in the same position they held before commencing parental leave.

The University provides staff with access to a range of flexible work arrangements when returning to work following a period of parental leave.

Career Re-Entry assistance (equivalent to 6 weeks paid leave) can be used by eligible staff in a variety of ways including:

• six weeks’ paid leave taken in full or in agreed periods;
• agreed graduated return to work program;
• agreed staff development opportunities;
• activities to maintain or re-establish staff member’s career;
• paid time release to facilitate care arrangements and/or for breastfeeding; or    
• other career support activities.

Case studies

Need advice?

HR staff are available to provide advice and support regarding your parental leave plans. Please contact the Human Resources Division team at parental.leave@anu.edu.au and you will be allocated a personal consultant to assist you with you leave plans.