A special edition report of DCA’s [email protected] Index 2021-2022 titled Mapping the State of Flex in the Australian Workforce highlights a positive link between flexible work and workplace inclusion and shows that the stigma around care, gender and flexible work continues.
Parental Leave
Australia’s parental leave system is a mix of statutory entitlements, government-funded paid parental leave, and employer-funded parental leave.
Employers are increasingly recognising the benefits of paid parental leave for business, employees, and families, and many DCA members are among employers leading the way when it comes to parental leave.
In this section members can learn more about Australia’s parental leave system, the business case for employer-funded leave, leading practice principles, miscarriage leave, stillbirth or infant death, and DCA’s position on parental leave reform.
This information was last updated in July 2022.
DCA Research
Let’s Share the Care
DCA's Let’s Share the Care at Home and Work report, timed to coincide with Mother’s Day on 12 May 2019, is a call to action to end the gender pay gap by enabling women and men in Australian families to ‘share the care’ more equitably.
Case Studies
Creating a nation-leading and inclusive parental leave policy at Smartgroup
Case Study
07 Jul 2022
Smartgroup Corporation on how they constructed their nation-leading and inclusive parental leave policy.
News
DCA Submission in response to the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Improvements for Families and Gender Equality) Bill 2022
Media releases
24 Jan 2023
Diversity Council Australia has long advocated for improvements in parental leave provisions in Australia. We welcome the recently tabled changes and commend the government for acting.
Federal Government’s improved Parental Leave Policy - great step forward for families and employers
Media releases
24 Oct 2022
Diversity Council Australia (DCA) has welcomed the pre-budget announcement by the federal government that they will be increasing government funded paid parental leave to 26 weeks.
Federal Government’s improved Parental Leave Policy - great step forward for families and employers.
Media releases
19 Oct 2022
Diversity Council Australia (DCA) has welcomed the pre-budget announcement by the federal government that they will be increasing government funded paid parental leave to 26 weeks.
Perspectives
DCA's response to the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Improvements for Families and Gender Equality) Bill 2022
Submissions
18 Jan 2023
DCA has made a submission to the Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs in response to the Inquiry into the provisions of the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Improvements for Families and Gender Equality) Bill 2022.
The new parliament must address paid parental leave
Opinion pieces
22 May 2022
Australia’s paid parental leave policy no longer meets the diverse needs of many families. We call on the next parliament to move towards six months of gender-neutral paid parental leave to encourage shared care by both parents.
DCA Submission on the Maternity Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1973
Submissions
08 Feb 2022
DCA has made a submission in response to the review of the Maternity Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1973 (ML Act).