Parental
TOOL KIT LEAVE GRNSW
THE GUIDE AND SUPPORT YOU NEED
This tool kit might help you sleep better at night … you’ll need it
Parenthood is a time of learning, adjustment and growth. We’re here to help on the journey.
GRNSW Parental Leave
At GRNSW, we are proud to support our people through every stage of life including the journey to parenthood and welcoming a new family member. We know that the transition from working life to family life is a big change and we want to help make that transition easier.
Our GRNSW Paid Parental leave program reflects our commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive and family friendly workplace. Our parental leave provisions outlined in our leave policy, supports employees in balancing work and family responsibilities by providing paid and unpaid leave following the birth or adoption of your child.
This toolkit has been designed to help you understand what leave is available to you, how to plan your leave and what support can be accessed as you navigate this exciting time.
Parental Leave at a Glance
12 months of parental leave for any new parent
14 weeks of GRNSW paid Parental leave for primary carers
10 Days of GRNSW paid Parental leave for secondary careers
Up to 24 weeks of government paid parental leave for eligible primary carer parents
Taking parental leave is an important part of welcoming a new family member, and GRNSW is committed to making this experience as smooth, supportive, and flexible as possible for our people.
Our approach is centered on open communication, practical support, and flexibility, ensuring you feel informed and confident as you prepare for and take your parental leave.
parental leave
Taking Parental Leave
How you can take parental leave
Your parental leave can be taken in different ways:
• One continuous period. Example: 12-month block.
• Flexibly. Example: Separate periods being part-time, different blocks of time. Any flexible arrangements to be in consultation with the management of GRNSW and People and Culture Flexible periods. 1 day or more that can be used around other approved leave, such as annual leave.
• Combination of both continuous and flexible leave.
Note: Combined continuous and flexible leave can not exceed 24 months.
When you can start parental leave
Pregnant Parent
If you are pregnant, you can start your parental leave up to 6 weeks before the due date of your baby.
If you are adopting a child, your parental leave will start on the day your child is placed in your care. Other leave can be exercised earlier. Management of leave to be in consultation with your manager and People and Culture.
Non-pregnant Parent
You may start your parental leave on the birth or adoption of your child, or at some time within the first 12 months of the birth or adoption of your child.
Paid Parental Leave Eligibility
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive GRNSW paid parental leave, you must be a permanent full-time or part time employee with at least 12 months of continuous service at the time of birth or adoption of your child (under 16 years of age).
The GRNSW paid parental leave must be accessed in the first 12-months of the birth or adoption of the child.
Primary Carer
The primary carer is the person who will have day to day care for the child.
GRNSW Payment
If you are the Primary Carer of your newborn or newly adopted child you can access up to 14 weeks of paid leave at full pay, or 28 weeks at half pay (pro-rated for part-time employees) plus superannuation paid by GRNSW.
GRNSW will pay your full salary (pro rated for part-time employees). Superannuation is also paid on top of the paid parental leave.
Government Payment
If you are eligible for the Paid Parental Leave Scheme administered by the GovernmentServices Australia, GRNSW will top up your payment to match your full salary and superannuation payment for 14 weeks at full pay or 28 weeks at half pay (pro-rated for parttime employees) paid directly by GRNSW.
If you do not meet eligibility for the Paid Parental Leave Scheme administered by Services Australia, GRNSW will still provide the full 14-weeks of paid leave. Superannuation is also paid onto of the 14 weeks paid leave.
GRNSW will work with you to coordinate your paid parental leave in conjunction with the Paid Parental leave Scheme administered by the Government - Services Australia.
Secondary Carer
The secondary carer is the person who provides additional support to the primary carer.
If you are the support parent or secondary carer of your newborn or newly adopted child you can access up to 10 days of paid leave (superannuation paid in addition by GRNSW.
GRNSW will pay your full salary (pro rated for part-time employees). Superannuation is also paid on top of the 10 days paid leave.
$80,000.00 Full time –
GRNSW - Parental Leave Payment
GRNSW Top-up payment
NB: Payment schedule is indicative. If there are government changes, the schedule will change accordingly
Example: Full time employee working 38 hours per week earning $80,000 gross per year, payment at full pay.
Pay
Fixed rate paid for 120 days (24 weeks) at national minimum
Top up to normal wage for a 14-week period.
Combined income and super during GRNSW Paid Parental Leave.
GRNSW - Parental Leave Payment
GRNSW Top-up payment
NB: Payment schedule is indicative. If there are government changes, the schedule will change accordingly
Example: Part time employee working 4 days per week (30.4 hours) earning $80,000 gross per year, payment at full pay.
GRNSW - Parental Leave Payment
GRNSW Top-up payment
NB: Payment schedule is indicative. If there are government changes, the schedule will change accordingly
Example: Full time employee working 38 hours per week earning $120,000 gross per year, payment at full pay.
GRNSW - Parental Leave Payment
GRNSW Top-up payment
NB: Payment schedule is indicative. If there are government changes, the schedule will change accordingly
Example: Part time employee working 4 days per week (30.4 hours) earning $120,000 gross per year, payment at full pay.
$98,897.83
Full time – Half Pay
GRNSW - Parental Leave Payment
GRNSW Top-up payment
NB: Payment schedule is indicative. If there are government changes, the schedule will change accordingly
Example: Part time employee working 4 days per week (38 hours) earning $98,897.83 gross per year, payment at half pay.
Fixed rate paid for 120 days (24 weeks) at national
up to normal wage for a 14week period.
Combined income and super during GRNSW Paid Parental Leave.
Parental Leave paid at half pay rate.
Half Pay threshold
If you earn below $98,897.83 gross per year, you will not be eligible to take your paid parental leave at half pay if you are combining the government payment with the GRNSW top up payment due to
NB: If there are government changes to payrates, the threshold will change accordingly.
$120,000.00 Full time –
GRNSW - Parental Leave Payment
GRNSW Top-up payment
NB: Payment schedule is indicative. If there are government changes, the schedule will change accordingly
Example: Full time employee working 38 hours per week earning $120,000 gross per year, payment at full pay.
GRNSW
- Parental Leave Payment
GRNSW Top-up payment
NB: Payment schedule is indicative. If there are government changes, the schedule will change accordingly
Example: Part time employee working 4 days per week (30.4 hours) earning $120,000 gross per year, payment at half pay.
(24
up to normal wage for a 14week period.
$79,000 Part time – Half Pay
GRNSW - Parental Leave Payment
GRNSW Top-up payment
NB: Payment schedule is indicative. If there are government changes, the schedule will change accordingly
Example: Part time employee working 4 days per week (30.4 hours) earning $79,000 gross per year, payment at half pay.
Half Pay threshold
If you earn below $79,000 gross per year as a part time employee, you will not be eligible to take your paid parental leave at half pay if you are combining the government payment with the GRNSW top up payment due to
NB: If there are government changes to payrates, the threshold will change accordingly.
Supporting parents at every stage helps both families and workplaces thrive
Section 1 parentalapplication leave
Parental Leave Process
The People and Culture Team can support you with eligibility, planning your leave and the GRNSW paid parental leave.
Appling for parental leave
Talk with your manager about your parental leave plans, the earlier you let them know, the more support we can provide as you transition to parental leave.
Complete the parental leave application form
Primary carer: You need to notify GRNSW and submit the application form at least 10-weeks before your planned leave date.
Secondary Carer/Partner: You need to notify GRNSW at least 4 weeks before your planned leave date.
To support your parental leave application, you will need to provide the following:
• Confirmation of pregnancy or adoption: A medical certificate from your doctor, midwife or a health care practitioner confirming the pregnancy and the expected due date or a court document confirming the adoption date of your child.
• Leave on top confirmation: The type of parental leave you will be taking – Primary Carer Leave or Secondary Career leave.
• Dates: The dates of your parental leave and any other leave you will be using e.g. Annual Leave, Long Service Leave.
If you are eligible for the Government Paid Parental Leave Scheme, please attach any supporting documents and details in your application form and the Finance team will support you with receiving your paid parental leave.
Enter your parental leave and any annual leave or long service leave into Employment Hero.
Work with your manager and team to plan the hand over of your work. Refer to the Parental leave checklist on page 33.
leave
Section 1
Government Parental Leave
Under the National Employment Standards (NES), parents can access unpaid parental leave provided you meet the criteria. This is separate to GRNSW parental leave.
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive unpaid parental leave under the NES, you must be a permanent full-time or part time employee with at least 12 months of continuous service at the time of the birth or adoption of your child (under 16 years of age).
If you are a casual employee who works on a regular and systemic basis and have a reasonable expectation that this would continue if not for the birth or adoption of your child, you can access unpaid parental leave.
Extended parental leave
You may request up to an additional 12 months of parental leave, in agreement with GRNSW. In total you can access up to 24 months of parental leave.
Payment
You can access up to 24 weeks of paid parental leave which is aligned to the national minimum wage. This payment is separate to GRNSW parental leave payment.
Gov - Paid Parental Leave Scheme
Services Australia administers the Paid Parental Leave Scheme, available to people who meet the criteria. GRNSW will work in conjunction with Services Australia to administer this payment.
Payment
You can access up to 24 weeks of paid parental leave which is aligned to the national minimum wage. This payment is separate to GRNSW parental leave payment.
Eligibility
To receive the paid parental leave scheme payments administered by Services Australia, you must:
• Be the primary carer of a newborn or newly adopted child;
• Have worked at least 10 of the 13 months before the birth or adoption and at least 330 hours during that period;
• Be under the individual or family income threshold set by Services Australia;
• Be on leave or not working during the government paid parental leave period.
If you are the secondary carer, the primary carer can choose to share up to 15 days of their paid parental lever with you.
More information on the Paid Parental Leave scheme can be found here
Section 1 leave options
Useful Leave Options
Parental leave can avail a number of leave entitlements. This is what and how!
Leave
GRNSW Paid Parental Leave
Personal/Carer’s Leave
Annual Leave
Long Service Leave
Unpaid Parental leave
Entitlement
You can access GRNSW paid parental leave if you are a full time or part time employee with at least 12 months of continuous service at GRNSW. Primary Carers can take up to 14 weeks of paid leave and secondary carers can take up to 10 days.
Personal/carer’s leave can be used to attend pregnancy related appointments both as a pregnant person or support parent.
Annual leave can be used in conjunction with parental leave.
Long service leave can be used in conjunction with parental leave.
You can access up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave provided you have worked at GRNSW for at least 12 months.
A pregnant employee can start up to 6 weeks before the expected date of birth (earlier if agreed), or within 24 months of the birth of the child. The parental leave must end within 24 months of the birth of the child.
You may take this leave in one continuous block, or flexibly in separate periods e.g. part-time days, monthly block, ad-hoc days and may be scheduled around other approved leave types, such as annual or paid parental leave.
Extended Parental Leave
Unpaid special parental leave
Extended parental leave can be requested If you have completed the initial 12 months of parental leave, you may seek to further extend your parental leave by up to 12 months.
Extension arrangements are consultative and required to be in agreement with GRNSW.
Unpaid special parental leave can be used if you are pregnant and unable to work due to a pregnancy related illness or you have a pregnancy loss after at least 12 weeks because of miscarriage or termination.
Government paid parental leave scheme
Paid partner leave
Provided you meet the criteria for the Government Paid Parental Leave scheme, you can access paid leave outlined in the National Employment Standards, aligned to the Australian minimum wage.
You may access paid partner leave alongside the primary carer of your child. You will need to arrange this through
Section 1
safety at work
Staying Safe at Work While Pregnant
Your health and safety at work while pregnant is a priority for GRNSW. We are committed to working with you to identify, assess and mitigate any risks or hazards that you may encounter while pregnant.
Working Safely in your role
If your role is physically demanding or poses a higher risk during pregnancy, talk to your manager as soon as possible. Together, you can discuss any reasonable adjustments so that you continue to work safely.
If you are fit for work, but your usual role isn’t suitable for a period of time due to a pregnancy related illness, risk or workplace hazard, GRNSW will explore alternative duties or adjustments to support you.
Safe job
If your role becomes unsafe to undertake while you are pregnant e.g. it requires heavy lifting, working with unsafe chemicals or too much travel, you can request a ‘safe job’. GRNSW will work with you to find appropriate duties while you are pregnant.
Seeking medical advice
If you’re unsure about what support or adjustments you may need, we encourage you to consult your general practitioner or obstetrician for advice. GRNSW will consider any medical advice provided to ensure your working conditions are appropriate and aligned to your health needs.
Returning to work after parental leave is an important transition, and we are committed to making this experience as easy, supportive and flexible as possible for our people.
GRNSW recognises that balancing work and caring responsibilities can take time, and that everyone’s circumstances are different.
Our approach is centered on open communication, practical support and flexibility, ensuring you feel informed, valued and confident as you transition back to work.
return to work
Return to Work Process
When you return from unpaid parental leave, you are entitled to return to your previous role. If that role is no longer available, you will be offered a comparable position with the same pay and conditions. You may also request flexible working arrangements to support your ongoing caregiving responsibilities.
Connect in with your manager or the People and Culture team to confirm your return to work plans at least four weeks before you intend to return to work. Your notification needs to include your return to work date and any flexible working request.
Early notification ensures that GRNSW can support you and your transition back to the workplace in a way that ensures it is easy and supports your family.
To support your transition back to the workplace, you may choose to access up to 10 Keeping in touch days to stay connected to GRNSW while you are on Parental leave. Keeping in touch days will be worked out between you and your manager, in collaboration with the People and Culture team.
On your return to work, your responsibilities will be transitioned back to you in a planned and supportive way. You will be kept informed of any changes that occurred during your leave to help you confidently settle back into your role.
Refer to the return to work checklist on page 34.
10 Keeping in Touch Days!
How to use Keeping in touch days
You can access up to 10 Keeping in touch days per 12 months of parental leave taken, while you are on unpaid parental leave.
In consultation with your manager, you can agree on how and when you would like to use your Keeping in Touch days to attend work related activities to support your return to work.
You can work your keeping in touch days as a part day, 1 day at a time, a few days at a time or all at once.
When to use Keeping in touch days
Keeping in Touch days may be used for work related activities such as refreshing skills, participating in a planning day, doing training, or attending a conference.
Note: Keeping in touch days cannot occur within the first two weeks after childbirth unless requested by you and agreed by your manager and the People and Culture team.
Payment for Keeping in touch days
You will be paid your normal daily rate of pay for any Keeping in touch day or part day worked, using these days does not break the continuity of your unpaid parental leave.
Flexible Working Arrangements
Flexible working arrangements
You may request a flexible working arrangement to help you balance your work and caregiving responsibilities.
A flexible work arrangement could include:
• A transition period with reduced work hours
• Adjusted start and/or finish times
• Change to your hours or days of work.
How to request a flexible working arrangement
As part of notifying your manager of your return to work, consider what flexible arrangements, if any, would help you balance work and home commitments.
Discuss your plans early so that together with your manager and the People and Culture team, we can explore a flexible working arrangement that supports both the business needs and your ongoing home responsibilities.
Parental Leave Checklist
Talk to your manager about your parental leave plans, including the dates of any parental leave, annual leave or other leave you would like to take.
Submit parental leave application form, including medical certificate and leave dates.
Submit Services Australia payment information if you will be accessing the Paid Parental Leave scheme as part of your application form or send directly to the Finance Team
Submit leave request in Employment Hero. You will need to complete separate requests for each leave type e.g. Parental leave, annual leave, long service leave.
Work with your manager to plan any handover of your work, consider:
• Making notes about the status of your work, any
• Forwarding any relevant emails
• Saving any documents in your team SharePoint folder
Set out of office message with an alternative team member contact listed
Return your laptop, phone and any other equipment to your manager or the People and Culture team on your last day.
Return to Work Checklist
Confirm your return to work date with your manager and the People and Culture team at least 4 weeks before you intend to return to work.
Confirm any keeping in touch days if you would like to use them (you can access up to 10 paid days across your parental leave period).
If you would like to request a flexible or part-time work on your return, submit your request as early as possible to your manager and the people and culture team (recommended 6–8 weeks before return).
Update any change of details in Employment Hero e.g. Change of address, bank account or superannuation details
Parental Leave Resources
• Parental Leave Pay - Services Australia
• Video on Parental Leave Pay Scheme
• Having a baby - Services Australia
• Parental leave - Fair Work Ombudsman