Commonwealth Paid Parental Leave for employees of the Queensland Government

The federal Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 commenced in October 2010. The Act provides eligible parents of newborn or newly adopted children with up to 18 weeks of Commonwealth Paid Parental Leave (CPPL) payments at the rate of the federal minimum wage, from 1 January 2011 onwards.

From January 1 to 30 June 2011 eligible employees will receive their CPPL payments directly from the Commonwealth Government’s Family Assistance Office (FAO).

If you give birth or adopt a child after 1 July 2011, your employer will be responsible for passing on your CPPL payments from the FAO through its normal payroll process.

You will need to lodge a claim for CPPL with the FAO, who will decide if you are eligible. The FAO will then notify your employer, who will provide the payments to you, after you have provided the FAO with evidence of the birth or adoption, starting on a date that you specify.

It is important that you research the scheme using the resources to the right, and talk to your manager in the first instance, to make sure you have all the information you need to successfully lodge a claim. You will need to ask your manager or HR contact for your employer’s ABN, and you must put your employee payroll number in your application (even though it’s not marked as “mandatory” on the online application, it is compulsory for Queensland Government employees).

Some important points to note:

• Applying for and receiving CPPL payments does not affect the Queensland Government’s existing parental/adoption leave or payment entitlements in any way. Review your agency’s existing policies regarding parental leave, payments and other entitlements.
• You cannot receive CPPL payments and the Baby Bonus for a child, but must choose between them. Use the PPLComparison Esimator to work out which is best for your family.
• CPPL payments are regarded as taxable income, which may impact on HECS/HELP liability, family tax benefits and other family assistance payments. If in doubt, seek independent financial advice.

For an overview of the CPPL scheme, go to the Family Assistance Office website.

For important information about receiving CPPL from your employer, go to your agency’s intranet site and do a search for “Commonwealth Paid Parental Leave” or “CPPL”.