Western Australia
Paternity leave in WA
If you searched this, you probably assumed the rules are set by the state. For most people in Western Australia they are not. Here is what actually decides your leave, and the one case where WA does matter.
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Private sector in Western Australia: the state changes nothing
Parental leave for private sector employees is federal. The Fair Work Act sets the unpaid leave and Services Australia pays the money. A dad in Western Australia gets exactly what a dad in any other state gets.
- Unpaid leave. Up to 12 months, extendable to 24 with your employer's agreement, after 12 months continuous service. Up to 130 days of it can be taken one day at a time.
- Parental Leave Pay. $200.94 a day before tax in 2026-27. 130 days for the family for babies born on or after 1 July 2026, 20 reserved for the partner.
- Notice. Tell your employer in writing at least 10 weeks before the due date.
- Reserved for the partner, 20 days
- Reserved for the birth parent, 20 days
- To share, 90 days
Where WA does matter: if the WA government employs you
WA government employees get employer-paid parental leave under their public sector enterprise agreement, on top of the federal entitlements above. We only publish figures we have verified against the primary instrument, and the current WA figures are still being sourced, so none are shown here yet.
In the meantime your HR team or union can point you to the clause. Ask for the number of paid weeks for a secondary carer, the qualifying service period, and whether the leave can be taken at half pay.
What people in WA get wrong
- Searching for state rules when their employer is a private business. The state changes nothing.
- Assuming the birth parent can take all 130 paid days. 20 are reserved for the partner and are lost if unused.
- Missing the 10 week written notice, then finding the employer can push back on the dates.
Verified 11 September 2026. Rates and day counts change every 1 July.