Released: Feb/March

Paid Parental Leave Scheme

The Paid Parental Leave scheme commenced on 1 January 2011. The scheme provides for up to 18 weeks’ government-funded paid parental leave for eligible parents who adopt or give birth to children from 1 January 2011.

The primary pieces of legislation, the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth), which received assent on 14 July 2010 and commenced on 1 October 2010 and the Paid Parental Leave Rules 2010 (Cth), which were made on 22 December 2010, will be included in National Workplace Relations in an upcoming update. In the meantime, you can access the new legislation from the Commonwealth Government legislation website, at www.comlaw.gov.au.

 Fair Work Australia Rules

The Fair Work Australia Rules 2010 (Cth) were made on 17 December 2010 and commenced on 1 January 2011. These Rules replace the interim Fair Work Australia Rules that have been in place since the commencement of the Fair Work Act 2009 on 1 July 2009.  The differences between the old Rules and the new Rules are primarily of a formatting nature. The Forms have also undergone some amendment.

 The new Fair Work Australia Rules 2010 will be published in National Workplace Relations in an upcoming update. In the meantime, you can access the Rules from the Fair Work Australia website at www.fwa.gov.au.