Paid parental leave

Hi all I'm half way through my pregnancy.
I don't know much (well the little they have ) about the paid parental leave. I have been at my job for 2 years and have already racked up the required 330hours.
What I don't know is what they ask for in terms of proof of hours and employment?
Do you get the full amount or because I'm part time I only get the min wage hourly rate for my normal hours?? How soon can I go on 'maternity leave' - my company has no such thing so it would be leave without pay type thing and still be entitled to paid parental leave - do I have to work right until I pop?
I asked a customer service lady in Medicare/ family assistance office but she couldn't really tell me anything. Hoping someone can help?

Hey I am receiving the paid parental leave at the moment. I only worked part time too and I still get the full amount It is just over $1000 a fortnight. In regards to the proof I just filled out the forms and I assume they do some sort of check on you to make sure you obviuosly aren't lying about it. With going on maternity leave I left my job at 32 wks and delivered at 39 wks so not too sure if there is a stipulation as to when you have to work to.
If you go on to the centrelink website they have all the details and have a calculator to work out what is better PPL or the family tax benefits
because you dont receive any other payments whilst on PPL. HOpe this helps and goodluck with the pregnancy.

Hi I am also receiving the paid parental leave. My employer only offers 12 months off with no pay and I get the full amount too. I was/am full time and have worked there for the past 2 and a half years. The stipulation is that you have to have worked 10 out of the past 13 months to get it. So I think works out to be when your round bout 7 months pregnant that you can start maternity leave if you want (paid or unpaid by your employer doesn't matter) but the paid parental leave doesn't start until you actually have your baby. There are allowences if you need to finish work early for medical reasons so you can still be eligible for it if you get it in writing from your doctor. I also worked until 32 weeks and delivered at 39 weeks. It was a long 7 weeks with no pay though as centrelink have no payments for when your just pregnant! Although you can go onto newstart, but you still have to look for work even though your pregnant and on maternity leave! Love how it works smile You will get the full amount as there is only the one rate of pay for paid parental leave as long as you have done the hours required in the time frame. ( I have a relative that works for centrelink so it was a bit easier for me to get the infomation I needed smile )
And they will contact your employer for proof of employment and hours too smile Hope this helps


Good luck with your upcoming arrival grin

Its really confusing isnt it! My hubby works for Centrelink and I work for Medicare and it still took us a whole day running back and forth to get some help on how to lodge the claim. No one really knew what to do or wanted to take the time to actually invest anytime in helping us. Each one kept refering us to the other. It was very frustrating, and made me a bit embarassed that we worked for the organisation, but as a customer , the service we got was so poor.

Thanks for the tips guys. Wish I had read this a few days ago.