From July 1, Australian families who are caring for a newborn or adopted child will be able to claim six months (26 weeks) of parental leave with superannuation.

This payment is subject to an income test, work test and rules around visas and can be shared between carers. In fact, it encourages shared caring responsibilities in two parent families. It’s also provided on top of any employer parental leave schemes.

It’s the most significant milestone in Australian family policy reform since the Albanese government extended paid parental leave from 20 weeks to 22 weeks in March 2024.

This further extension is very welcome. Even though it doesn’t meet the recommended 36 weeks, it is still an encouraging recognition of the importance of caring for newborns and adopted children and will have positive flow-on effects for wages and employment.

But paid parental leave isn’t the only way to support working parents, particularly mothers, especially as their children get older. The government should be doing more to help women once they return to work.

Balancing work and children

Women continue to do most of the childcaring in Australia. For example, women in couples who have children under 15 do an average of 52 hours a week of unpaid work and care, compared to 35 hours for men.

Having children affects the ability of many women to work. It’s one reason........

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