5.6.12 Purpose
In the total workforce system, the following arrangements apply.
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Permanent service may be described as service in Service category 6 or 7.
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Reserve service may be described as service in Service category 3, 4 or 5. A member on Service option C is not on Reserve service.
How does Defence maternity leave interact with the Government's Paid Parental Leave scheme?
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The Government's Paid Parental Leave scheme is separate from Defence's maternity leave provisions as contained in Defence's Pay and Conditions Manual.
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Receipt of Parental Leave Pay does not affect access or eligibility for Defence's maternity leave provisions. Parental Leave Pay can be received while a member is on any type of leave (paid or unpaid) or a break in training for Reservists.
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The Paid Parental Leave scheme is run by the Family Assistance Office who are able to provide information and assistance on how the Paid Parental Leave scheme works. The Family Assistance Office will process the claim and assess if a parent is eligible to receive Parental Leave Pay.
Contact information:
Family Assistance Office: www.familyassist.gov.au
Family Assistance Office – Government's Paid Parental Leave Hotline: 13 61 50
5.6.13 Leave entitlement
5.6.14 Paid maternity leave
5.6.15 Maternity leave at half pay
5.6.16 Member on Reserve service
5.6.17 Second period of maternity leave
5.6.18 Access to other leave
Example: A member may make up a 52-week period of absence in this way.
Start of required absence | End of 52 weeks | ||||
Paid maternity leave 14 weeks |
Long service leave 12 weeks |
Unpaid maternity leave 24 weeks |
Recreation leave 2 weeks |
Non-example: The non-example below is not an acceptable alternative. This is because paid maternity leave must be the first 14 weeks of the maternity leave absence.
Start of required absence | End of 52 weeks | ||||
Recreation leave 2 weeks |
Paid maternity leave 14 weeks |
Long service leave 12 weeks |
Unpaid maternity leave 24 weeks |
5.6.19 Effect of unpaid maternity leave
Long service leave does not accrue for any period of unpaid maternity leave more than three months.
5.6.20 Resuming duty
Members are advised to make any decision to return to work early based on medical advice.
See: Division 3 section 5.6.27, Resuming duty during the required absence.
5.6.21 Resuming leave
Examples
These examples set out some maternity leave scenarios.
Note: Example 4 is allowable but is unusual and would rarely occur.
Example 1:
Start required absence | Birth or termination | End required absence | End 52 weeks | ||||
6 weeks | 6 weeks | 2 weeks | 38 weeks | ||||
Paid maternity leave | Paid maternity leave | Unpaid maternity leave |
Example 2:
Birth or termination | End required absence | End 52 weeks | ||||
6 weeks | 8 weeks | 38 weeks | ||||
Paid maternity leave | Unpaid maternity leave |
Example 3:
Start required absence | Birth or termination | End required absence | Member has permission to resume | ||||||
5 weeks | 6 weeks | 3 weeks | 12 weeks | ||||||
Paid maternity leave | Paid maternity leave | Unpaid maternity leave |
Example 4:
Start required absence | Birth or termination | Return to work (with medical certificates and CDF approval) |
On leave (various) to end of 52 weeks | ||||||
2 weeks | 2 weeks | 3 weeks | 10 weeks | 4 weeks | 31 weeks | ||||
Paid maternity leave | Paid maternity leave | Work | Paid maternity leave | Recreation leave | Unpaid maternity leave |
Example 5:
Start required absence | Birth or termination | End required absence | End 52 weeks | ||||||
6 weeks | 6 weeks | 2 weeks | 33 weeks | 5 weeks | |||||
Paid maternity leave | Paid maternity leave | Unpaid maternity leave | Recreation leave |
Example 6:
Start required absence | Birth or termination | End required absence | End 52 weeks | ||||||
6 weeks | 2 weeks | 4 weeks | 8 weeks | 32 weeks | |||||
Paid maternity leave | Paid maternity leave | Half pay maternity leave | Unpaid maternity leave |