Estimates the annual child support payable in Australia based on each parent's income, number and ages of children, and care percentages. Uses Services Australia's formula.
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Australian Paid Parental Leave (PPL) Calculator
This calculator helps you estimate your payment from the Australian Government's Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme. The scheme provides financial support to eligible parents when they take time off work to care for a newborn or newly adopted child.
How is Paid Parental Leave Calculated?
The total payment depends on three main factors: your eligibility based on an income test, the number of weeks the government pays you, and your weekly payment rate.
1. Income Test: To qualify, you must pass one of two tests. Your individual adjusted taxable income for the relevant financial year must be $176,672 or less (for the 2025-26 year). If it exceeds that, your combined family adjusted taxable income must be $350,000 or less. Adjusted taxable income includes taxable income, reportable fringe benefits, and other amounts.
2. Number of Payable Weeks: The government provides a base number of weeks of payment. From 1 July 2025, this increased to 24 weeks. From 1 July 2026, it will increase to 26 weeks. These weeks can be shared between parents, but a minimum of 2 weeks are reserved for the other parent (if eligible). Employer-provided paid leave does not reduce this total.
3. Weekly Payment Rate: If you pass an income test, you are paid at the rate of the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2025, this is $915.90 per week before tax.
Total Payment Formula: Total Family Payment = Weekly Rate × Total Government Weeks Available.
Example Calculation
Sarah and Alex are expecting a child on 1 September 2025. Sarah's taxable income for the 2024-25 financial year was $190,000. Their combined family income is $300,000. Sarah's employer offers 8 weeks of paid parental leave. They plan for Sarah to take 20 weeks as the primary carer. Let's calculate their payment:
- Individual Income Test: $190,000 is above the $176,672 threshold. She does not pass individually.
- Family Income Test: $300,000 is below the $350,000 threshold. They pass.
- Government Weeks Available: Due date is after 1 July 2025, so they get 24 weeks.
- Weekly Rate: National minimum wage of $915.90.
- Total Family Payment: $915.90 × 24 = $21,981.60.
- Sarah's Portion: $915.90 × 20 = $18,318.00 (over 20 weeks).
- Alex's Reserved Portion: $915.90 × 4 = $3,663.60 (over 4 weeks).
Their family would receive an estimated total of $21,981.60 from Services Australia, paid over 24 weeks, in addition to Sarah's 8 weeks of employer pay.
Common Scenarios
High Individual Income Earners: If your individual income exceeds the threshold, you may still qualify under the more generous family income test. Always check both.
Employer-Provided Leave: This is an additional benefit. The government PPL is paid independently. You can take them consecutively or concurrently, but you cannot be paid twice for the same week by both sources.
Sharing the Leave: The primary carer can take most of the weeks, but at least 2 weeks are reserved for the other parent (if they meet eligibility criteria). You must decide and declare the split when you claim.
Next Steps: Applying for Leave
Once you have an estimate, you should formally notify your employer. A Parental Leave Request Letter is the standard document for this. It details your proposed leave dates, duration, and type of leave. Submitting this letter starts the formal process and helps ensure your job is protected under the Fair Work Act.