About the Parental Leave Pay Calculator
Parental Leave Pay (PLP) is the Australian Government’s paid parental leave, paid at the national minimum wage to the main carer of a newborn or newly adopted child. For children born or adopted on or after 1 July 2026 a family can receive up to 130 days — 26 weeks — and from 1 July 2026 each day is paid at $200.94 before tax ($1,004.70 for a five-day week). This calculator checks the income test, works out how many days you can claim and shows your total pay and the 12% superannuation contribution the government adds.
If you have a partner when you claim, part of the entitlement is reserved for them: in 2026–27 you can take up to 110 days yourself and 20 days are kept for your partner ("use it or lose it"), unless an exception applies. Single parents can take all 130 days. Days can be taken flexibly, in blocks as short as one day, any time in the first two years.
To be eligible you also need to meet the work test (10 of the 13 months before the birth, with at least 330 hours) and the income test: your own adjusted taxable income in the reference year must be $186,487 or less, or your combined family income $386,525 or less (2025–26 reference year). PLP is taxable and is usually paid through your employer.
With the default inputs, the total parental leave pay (before tax) is $22,103.40. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the parental leave pay calculator
- 1Choose when your child was born or adopted.
- 2Say whether you have a partner at the time you claim.
- 3Enter the number of days you plan to take.
- 4Enter your and your partner’s adjusted taxable income for the reference year.
- 5Read your eligibility, days paid, total pay and super contribution.
Formula and method
Each Parental Leave Pay day is paid at 7.6 times the hourly national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026 the minimum wage is $26.44 an hour, giving $200.94 a day or $1,004.70 for a five-day week. For children born or adopted from 1 July 2026 the family maximum is 130 days; a claimant who is partnered at the time of claim can take up to 110 days with 20 reserved for the other parent (for 2025–26 births: 120 days, 105 if partnered).
You pass the income test if your own adjusted taxable income for the reference year is no more than $186,487, or your combined income with your partner is no more than $386,525 (2025–26 reference year). From July 2025 the government also pays a superannuation contribution of 12% of the PLP you receive (plus a small nominal interest amount, ignored here) into your super fund after the end of the financial year.
- Days
- Parental Leave Pay days claimed (weekdays)
- $200.94
- Daily rate from 1 July 2026 (7.6 × $26.44)
Worked examples
Partnered parent taking the maximum 110 days
Combined income of $175,000 passes the family test. A partnered claimant can take 110 of the 130 days, so 110 × $200.94 = $22,103.40 (22 weeks) before tax, plus a $2,652.41 super contribution. The other 20 days are left for the partner.
Single parent claiming all 26 weeks
A single parent can receive the full 130-day family entitlement: 130 × $200.94 = $26,122.20 before tax, with 12% ($3,134.66) paid into super.
High-income couple fails the income test
The claimant’s own income of $190,000 is above the $186,487 individual limit and the couple’s $390,000 is above the $386,525 family limit, so no Parental Leave Pay is payable.
Lower earner with a high-income partner, 60 days
Family income of $420,000 is over the family limit, but the claimant’s own $120,000 is under the $186,487 individual limit, so they still qualify. 60 days pays $12,056.40 and 70 days remain for the partner.
Frequently asked questions
How many weeks of Parental Leave Pay can I get?+
For children born or adopted on or after 1 July 2026 a family can get up to 26 weeks (130 days). If you have a partner, you can take up to 110 days and 20 days are reserved for your partner. For 2025–26 births the maximum is 24 weeks (120 days).
How much is Parental Leave Pay from July 2026?+
It is paid at the national minimum wage: $200.94 a day or $1,004.70 for a five-day week before tax from 1 July 2026. The rate depends on the financial year you take each day (days taken in 2025–26 were paid $189.62), and rises each 1 July with the minimum wage.
What is the income limit for Parental Leave Pay?+
For claims using the 2025–26 reference year, your own adjusted taxable income must be $186,487 or less, or your combined family income $386,525 or less. Meeting either test is enough.
Is super paid on Parental Leave Pay?+
Yes. For children born or adopted on or after 1 July 2025 the government pays a Paid Parental Leave superannuation contribution of 12% of the PLP you received, paid into your fund by the ATO after the end of the financial year.
Can I get Parental Leave Pay and employer paid leave?+
Yes. Government Parental Leave Pay is paid in addition to any paid parental leave from your employer, and you can take both at the same time or one after the other.
Do I have to take Parental Leave Pay all at once?+
No. Since 2023 PLP is fully flexible: you can take it in blocks as short as one day, any time within 24 months of the birth or adoption, and both parents can be off at the same time.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.
Sources
- DSS Paid Parental Leave Guide 3.1 — Current rate of PLP ($200.94 a day from 1 July 2026)
- DSS Paid Parental Leave Guide 2.9 — Maximum PLP entitlements (130 days, 20 reserved)
- DSS Paid Parental Leave Guide 2.3.4 — Individual and family PPL income limits
- Services Australia — How much Parental Leave Pay you can get (rates, days, reserved days)
- Services Australia — Meeting the income test for Parental Leave Pay