Parental leave

Parental Leave provisions apply to all staff of the University. Refer to the Parental Leave Guidelines for details of parental leave entitlements and options available to staff. For staff under the University's Enterprise Agreement, read these guidelines in conjunction with parental leave clauses 169-193.

Easy steps for applying to take parental leave

• Step 1: Safety
• Step 2: 10 weeks before the baby is due or the adoption date
• Step 3: Submitting your parental leave application
• Step 4: 4 weeks before your return to work date

Step 1: Safety

Early in your pregnancy, consider any risk to the pregnancy that your position may hold (for example chemicals) and discuss your concerns with your supervisor or the Work Health & Safety or Injury Management unit.

Step 2: 10 weeks before the baby is due or the adoption date

If you want to take paid or unpaid parental leave, you need to tell the University, in writing, of the expected date of birth or placement, as soon as possible - but at least 10 weeks beforehand. You can do this by an email to your Supervisor.

By this time you should be thinking about how you want to take parental leave, and your preferred return to work arrangements. If you would like to return part-time, start discussions about this with your Supervisor.

Female staff who are eligible for the equivalent value of 22 weeks salary should consider the options for taking this as:

• Leave, either 22 weeks at full pay, or up to 38 weeks leave at 60% of Salary; and/or
• a funded return to work program; and/or
• leave by your partner, (provided that your partner works for the University and will be the primary care giver for the child).

Partners: If your partner is having a baby you will need to consider your partner leave options (5 days paid short partner leave; unpaid parental leave up to 52 or 104 weeks, if you will be the primary care giver).

Step 3: Submitting your parental leave application...

To give your Faculty/unit sufficient time to make arrangements to cover your absence, it is helpful to submit your parental leave application as early as possible. You should aim to have all documentation and approvals finalised no later than 6 weeks before the date you plan to start parental leave.

Form 1 Female staff with less than 2 years paid service
Form 2 Female staff with 2 years or more paid service
Form 3 Partner Leave
Form 4 Casual Staff

The form(s) includes:

• the start and finish date for your parental leave;
• details of any leave taken by your partner;
• details of other leave eg annual or long service leave that you plan to take with parental leave;
• a certificate from a medical practitioner / midwife stating the expected date of delivery;
• return to work arrangements, including any proposal to work part-time;
• for extended partner leave, a statutory declaration stating that you will be the primary care giver.

If you are using Form 2 and accessing the equivalent value of 22 weeks salary, your application includes:

• a 26 weeks Return to Work Agreement; and, if applicable,
• details of your proposed funded return to work program including documentation supporting your request for payments of non-salary benefits (eg conference or training course registrations).

For Adoption leave, at least 14 days before starting adoption leave, you’ll need to submit an updated application including details of the expected date of placement and your leave plans, with the dates on which you expect to start and finish adoption leave.

If you are planning to apply for extended unpaid leave (up to 104 weeks), the application should include details of the dates and any supplementary information supporting your application.

Parental leave application forms are submitted, via your supervisor to the HOS/HOA. Once your parental leave arrangements have been approved, you’ll receive a parental leave confirmation letter which details your approved parental leave arrangements. If you need to change an already approved parental leave plan please discuss this with your supervisor and contact the HR Service Centre about amending a Parental Leave Booking.

Prior to commencing parental leave, discuss with your supervisor the extent to which you would like to maintain contact with your work unit, eg remaining on email lists, receiving invitations to work functions. If you wish to receive work-related emails, you will need to check your work email at regular intervals, or make alternative arrangements with your supervisor. You may also like to join the University’s Parent Network.

Step 4: 4 weeks before your return to work date...

Four weeks before your planned return to work date you need to write to the University (email to your Supervisor is fine) and either:

• confirm this date, and your intention to return to work, or
• request to extend or reduce your period of leave. (up to the maximum of 104 weeks leave),
• request to amend your return to work arrangement, including any application for Flexible Working Arrangements.

Amended arrangements should initially be discussed with your supervisor. The Application will need to include, details of the new arrangement, the period of time that it will apply for and supporting information.

If you have an approved “Funded Return to Work Program” you can claim for payment of non-salary benefits (eg conference leave; childcare funding) by submitting a Payment Request, including invoices or receipts.