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New financial support makes a difference for working dads or partners
Joel Wenitong with his partner and children. Image supplied
by Harpreet Kalsi new entitlement is now available for working dads: Dad and Partner Pay. Dad and Partner Pay is a new payment under the Australian Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme. It gives eligible working dads or partners (including adopting parents and same-sex partners) financial assistance to take time off work to welcome their new baby or recently adopted child into the family. Dad and Partner Pay provides up to two weeks of government-funded pay at the rate of the National Minimum Wage (currently around $606 per week before tax). Joel Wenitong, a Kabi Kabi man from South East Queensland, has four children with the youngest, Areya, 4 months old. He says the new payment really helps dads or partners like him to be able to take time off from work when the baby arrives. “The first few weeks are such a
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change to your lifestyle and your family, and in order to adjust to the changes it’s important as a father to help your partner with the rest of the kids, keep the house clean, and the food on the table,” he said. Joel agrees the time after a new child is born or adopted is important for dads or partners—and having that time off work will help them to be able to bond with their new baby, share experiences as a family and support their partners during this exciting time. A member of The Last Kinection, an Indigenous hip hop trio made up of Joel, his sister Naomi and longtime friend DJ Jaytee, Joel uses music in teaching his children. “It’s important to build that bond with the new baby as early as possible,” Joel said. “Playing, singing, or rapping in my case. For some reason the songs you sing your kids when they’re little, they remember growing up. And bathing them and playing with them are priceless times that you can never get back or
replace.” You may be eligible for Dad and Partner Pay if you work full time, part time, casually, seasonally, on contract or if you’re self-employed or work in a family business. You must be caring for a child born or adopted from 1 January 2013 and be on unpaid leave or not working during the two-week Dad and Partner Pay period. It’s a busy time for new parents when the baby arrives, which is why claims can be lodged up to three months before the expected date of birth or adoption. Dads or partners are encouraged to apply early to help ensure payments can be made as soon as possible after the birth or adoption. You can take Dad and Partner Pay at any time in the first year following the birth or adoption. For more information is available at www.australia. gov.au/dadandpartnerpay or for downloadable information materials visit www.fahcsia.gov.au/ dadandpartnerpay/indigenous Page 1