Managing parental leave

Positive and proactive management of parental leave will assist employers to comply with their legal obligations, as well as, improve the chances of employees returning to work following leave.

The National Employment Standards (NES) provide unpaid parental leave as a minimum entitlement for all Australian employees. Employees may also have benefits relating to government-funded paid parental leave and employer funded paid parental leave under an enterprise agreement, contract or policy.

• For further information about minimum entitlements to parental leave see Parental leave