From July 1, Australian families caring for a newborn or adopted child will be eligible for six months (26 weeks) of government-paid parental leave, including superannuation contributions. The payment is subject to income and work tests, visa rules, and can be shared between carers, encouraging shared caring responsibilities in two-parent families. It is provided on top of any employer parental leave schemes.
Significant Reform in Family Policy
This extension represents the most significant milestone in Australian family policy since the Albanese government increased paid parental leave from 20 to 22 weeks in March 2024. While it falls short of the recommended 36 weeks, it is a welcome recognition of the importance of caring for newborns and adopted children and is expected to have positive effects on wages and employment.
Balancing Work and Children
Women continue to shoulder the majority of childcare in Australia. According to data, women in couples with children under 15 perform an average of 52 hours per week of unpaid work and care, compared to 35 hours for men. This care burden affects women's workforce participation, which stood at 63% in December 2024, versus 71.2% for men. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that 25% of women were unable to start work due to caring for children, a figure that rises to 56% for mothers with children under 15.
Motherhood Penalty Persists
Research shows a mother's earnings fall by an average of 55% in the first five years after having children, with effects lasting at least a decade. A 2025 report suggests women's ambitions are tied to the support they receive. The "motherhood penalty" is partly due to mothers being more likely to work part-time, often not by choice. Many women report wanting to work more but are unable due to care commitments.
Migrant Women Face Additional Hurdles
Challenges are not faced equally across Australia. In Western Sydney, over one million residents (40.9% of the population) were born overseas, and more than half a million provided unpaid childcare in 2021. Migrant professionals often reduce hours, quit, or delay career progression due to migration status and cultural responsibilities. There were 215,768 temporary employment visa holders in Australia at the end of 2025, who lack access to childcare subsidies or income support. Migrant women face higher unemployment rates than non-migrant women across most states and territories.
Need for Comprehensive Support
The new parental leave regime is a positive step, but experts argue it should be paired with affordable childcare, secure work, flexible arrangements, and culturally responsive support systems. Community-based peer support, flexible childcare for irregular hours, and mentoring programs for migrant mothers are needed. Pressure on parents does not end after six months; addressing the full impact of having children is essential to avoid unequal pressure on women and culturally diverse communities.
