Parental leave for Queensland teachers in 2026

Parental leave for a Queensland teacher comes from two places: the Department of Education, which pays leave under the certified agreement and public sector directives, and the Australian Government, which pays Parental Leave Pay through Services Australia. You can usually take both, one after the other.

Our research confirmed which types of paid leave exist and the eligibility change in the 2022 agreement, but not the exact number of paid weeks the Department gives. Check the current parental leave directive or ask the QTU before you plan your budget.

QLD paid parental leave at a glance

Paid maternity, paternity, surrogacy and adoption leave are available; the number of paid weeks was not verified. CA2022 extended eligibility to people with 12 months of combined casual and temporary service. The 26-week government PPL applies for births from 1 Jul 2026.

What the Department of Education provides

• Types of paid leave: maternity, paternity (partner), surrogacy and adoption leave are all available to eligible staff.
• Eligibility: CA2022 widened it so that 12 months of combined casual and temporary service can qualify you, not just permanent service.
• Unpaid leave: permanent staff can take unpaid family responsibility leave of up to 7 years, which is generous by national standards.
• Paid weeks: not verified. Check the Department's directive for the current number of weeks and whether you can take it at half pay.

Government Parental Leave Pay: 26 weeks from 1 July 2026

For babies born or adopted from 1 July 2026, Parental Leave Pay runs for 130 days (26 weeks of five-day weeks), up from 24 weeks for 2025-26 births. The rate is reported at about $200.94 a day, so the full entitlement is worth roughly $26,122 before tax. Services Australia's income test is $186,487 individual or $386,525 family, based on 2025-26 income, which nearly every classroom teacher passes.

Super while you're off

The ATO pays 12% super on government Parental Leave Pay as an annual lump sum to your fund after the end of the financial year, for births from 1 July 2025. Super on the Department's paid leave is paid as normal through payroll. Super on unpaid leave is the gap: ask payroll whether any is paid, and consider a spouse contribution if your partner can afford it. More in Queensland teacher super.

Coming back: part-time, job share and your step

Many teachers return part-time. Ask your principal early about FTE, job-share partners and which days work. Check how your leave affects incremental progression to the next step on the Queensland pay scale: paid leave usually counts as service, but long unpaid absences may delay your next increment. Our guide to returning after parental leave has a checklist.