With the cost of living continuing to rise, the Australian Government is providing extra help to families with a newborn through Parental Leave Pay (PLP). Starting from July 1, 2025, eligible parents can receive $948.10 per week before tax while taking time off to care for their baby. A major update also adds superannuation contributions, giving parents not just short-term relief but long-term retirement security as well.
Yet, despite the benefits, many eligible parents — particularly partners and secondary caregivers — don’t claim it, missing out on valuable support during this crucial family stage. Below is everything you need to know about the payment, who qualifies, and how to claim it.
$948 Centrelink Payment 2025 Overview
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Payment Amount | $948.10 weekly pre-tax |
| Maximum Duration | 24 weeks (120 days) |
| Super Boost | 12% contribution to superannuation |
| Eligibility Basics | Individual income under $180,007 |
| Flexibility Features | Shareable, with 4 weeks concurrent leave |
| Claim Window | Up until child’s second birthday |
| Who Misses Out | Partners and dads often unaware |
| Future Changes | Extends to 26 weeks from 2026 |
What Is Parental Leave Pay and How Much Is Offered?
PLP is designed to replace your wages while you’re away from work caring for a new child. The payment is tied to the national minimum wage, giving parents $948.10 a week (around $183.16 per day) from July 2025. Over the maximum 24 weeks, families could receive about $21,979 in total.
This government support is in addition to any employer maternity or paternity leave. Parents can combine the two, but PLP can only be claimed on days you are not working.
The Superannuation ‘Boost’
One of the biggest changes from July 2025 is the inclusion of 12% superannuation contributions on top of the weekly payment. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) deposits this directly into the recipient’s super fund at the end of the financial year.
For those claiming the full 24 weeks, this equals at least $2,637 extra in retirement savings. The reform aims to reduce the gender super gap, since women often retire with less due to childcare breaks.
This applies to babies born or adopted on or after July 1, 2025, and will continue when leave extends to 26 weeks from July 2026.
Recent Updates for More Flexibility
The PLP scheme has also been updated to better reflect modern families:
- Extended Leave: 24 weeks available for children born after July 1, 2025, with four weeks reserved for partners.
- Shared Care Options: Parents can split payments, even taking up to four weeks off at the same time. Days can also be taken in blocks or individually until the child turns two.
- Payment Process: Usually paid through your employer (reimbursed by government), or directly by Centrelink if needed.
- Rate Increase: Weekly rate lifted from $915.80 to $948.10 in line with the minimum wage rise.
Who Qualifies? Eligibility Rules
Eligibility depends on a mix of income, work history, and residency:
- Income Test: Your individual income must be below $180,007, or your family income below $373,094.
- Work Requirement: At least 10 of the 13 months before birth/adoption, and a minimum of 330 hours worked (about one day per week). Freelancers and part-timers count.
- Residency: You must be an Australian resident or hold an eligible visa.
- Other Conditions: Births must be registered in your state/territory, and PLP cannot overlap with working days.
How to Claim Parental Leave Pay
The process requires early planning:
- Create/Link Accounts: Ensure your Centrelink account is linked to myGov.
- Apply Early: Claims open up to 3 months before birth/adoption. Both parents should lodge claims if sharing.
- Submit Documents: Provide proof of birth/adoption and keep details up to date.
- Notify Employer: Give at least 10 weeks’ notice to coordinate leave.
- Deadlines: Primary claimants must apply within 52 weeks, while secondary carers have until the child’s 2nd birthday.
Services Australia offers online tools, calculators, and multilingual assistance to help parents complete the process.
Why So Many Parents Miss Out
Despite expanded eligibility, fathers and partners make up only one-third of PLP claims. Many assume it’s only for primary carers or believe workplace leave already covers them. Others don’t realise payments can be split, shared, or used part-time.
Services Australia urges families not to miss out, stressing that partners can benefit from both immediate income support and long-term superannuation savings.
$948 Centrelink PLP: A Key Support
The updated PLP, with its $948 weekly rate and automatic super contributions, is a vital tool for Australian families. It provides short-term relief, improves retirement outcomes, and encourages balanced caregiving. Yet, underuse remains a challenge — families are encouraged to explore all options through Services Australia and claim their full entitlements.
